However, their relationship becomes strained as Maryam begins to distance herself, prompting Harry to confront his own identity and the societal forces that have shaped him.

Chinelo Okparanta weaves a rich description around Harry, exploring not only the fantasy driving his desires but also the painful reality animating them.

The novel peels back the layers of racism, exposing its insidious presence in Harry's life and examining the deep-seated social dysfunction underlying his yearning for racial transformation.

The narrative opens with a satirical lens on Harry's troubled childhood, marked by parental neglect and racial prejudice.

As the story progresses to a struggling community in Philadelphia,economic collapse, mirroring the broader societal tensions in a politically divided United States on the brink of civil unrest.