Description

“Tonight, the stars, moon, and wind caught my attention. Long after I was done cleaning, I stood in the middle of the kitchen just watching the stars. Adam and my parents said they were unimpressive compared to the ones in Sudan, which fascinated me. The light flooding from the building outside competed with them, but if I focused hard enough, I could make the stars shine brighter than all the other lights.”

Siblings Adam and Amanii act as if they are strangers to each other, so when they find themselves away from their Maine home and in a rural village in Sudan, they are surprised by what they learn about each other. In Mint and Melancholy, Nazik Adam pairs scenic prose with her own life’s experiences to create a fictional story that explores family dynamics in the face of differing cultures, generational trauma, and the relationship between brother and sister.

Praise for Mint and Melancholy:

“Nazik Adam writes fiction like the poet she is. Each sentence about Amanii and her family pulls us deeper into the lives of this Sudanese American family. Amanii’s quest to understand her big brother, Adam, is emblematic of a deeper search: How much does one’s origin story foretell about the future and what is the true meaning of home?” – Charlotte Agell, author of Shift

“Mint and Melancholy is eloquent and engaging, with dialogue immersed in each short story. Nazik’s writing allows for a beautiful connection to be woven in her stories — one that’s instantly recognized through the eyes of young Muslim girls.” –Lerman Waiss, author of Astur Unveiled

FICTION | Paperback | 120 Pages | 2023 | ISBN 979-8-9877055-4-4