Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie was one of those books that a lot of my trusted book friends LOVED, and some of my trusted book friends really didn’t like! I started out feeling like mehhh it probably wasn’t going to be for me, but then it got better and better and the ending just totally surprised me and knocked it out of the park, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

Home Fire is a modern take on Antigone, although I would recommend not looking up what Antigone is about (unless you already know in which case you’re clearly much more up to speed on your super old classics than I am) until after you read, if you want to keep the ending a surprise. This version takes the classic story and puts it in the context of immigration issues, jihad, and the identity of Muslims in Britain. It’s told from the perspective of five characters in five parts, and the perspectives kept getting better. I found the first perspective a bit confusing to follow, but then when I got in the groove, it all came together. Particularly the Antigone-like character of Anneka - her part was quite poetic.

Although the start of this book was slow for me, it picked up and became suspenseful, and I was fully invested in the story. It gives you an inside glimpse into how someone might become a jihadi, and really made me feel for their family. The ending scene is incredibly moving and shocking, completely memorable and I did not see it coming. I’d definitely recommend this book, and encourage you to stick with it if it starts off slow for you.