A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar

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In 1923, Evangeline (Eva) English and her sister Lizzie, fervent missionaries, journey to the ancient Silk Road city of Kashgar. While Lizzie is driven by her religious zeal, Eva's motivations are less altruistic; equipped with a green bicycle and a commission to write A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar, she seeks adventure. In present-day London, Frieda returns from abroad to find a man sleeping at her doorstep. She offers him a blanket, and the next morning discovers that he has left behind a beautifully folded bedding set, an exquisite drawing of a bird, delicate Arabic script, and a boat made of seagulls on her wall. The man, Tayeb, fleeing Yemen, befriends Frieda. When she learns of an inheritance from a deceased woman she doesn't know, they embark on an unexpected journey together. The narrative explores the tensions that arise when diverse traditions collide in an increasingly globalized world. With beautifully crafted prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, the stories of Frieda and Eva intertwine, revealing their connections and the ways they challenge societal constraints on their paths toward home. This debut novel showcases a remarkably talented new writer.