At its core, this is a love story set in uncertain times. Saeed and Nadia, the protagonists of this magical tale, meet in an unnamed city, somewhere in the war-torn Middle East.

As their love blossoms, the city is plunged into war. Mohsin Hamid portrays the war’s horror with shockingly powerful images, such as one of kids kicking what we initially think is a soccer ball.

Suddenly Saeed and Nadia must decide to leave, taking a leap of faith in their relationship and crossing through a mysterious door without knowing where it will lead. These secret doors appear throughout the novel, but interestingly we never learn about the passage between entry and exit. Saeed and Nadia take doors to Mykonos, London and San Francisco, and the fable changes to the sadly familiar horrific reality of news stories about refugees.

The second part of the novel is even more interesting. Hamid opens our eyes to the broader impact of war, social injustice and fear of others, moving beyond their effects on physical wellbeing and focusing on the impact on relationships and personal lives. The fight for survival forces Nadia and Saeed to face questions of identity, nationhood and beliefs. This superb novel is beautifully written, thought-provoking and a truly magical door to the minds and experiences of those who seem very different but who are, as we discover, just like us.

Reviewed by Anna O’Grady