Shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize 2022

‘Engrossing...brilliant’ Monica Ali

‘Heartbreaking and really funny’ Ross Gay

‘This book fell into my heart’ Sabrina Mahfouz

‘The kind of authentic voice that is rarely heard’ Saima Mir

Ayesha tells the story of growing up in a fundamentalist Muslim household; of parents who spent most of their lives away from Pakistan; of stealing her mother’s hijabs to wear to school as a five-year-old; of revisiting the beliefs and ideals she was raised with; of failed dreams and heartbreaks, but also of joy and love.

Life-affirming and funny, The Colour of God uncovers surprising answers to questions of faith, belonging, family and liberation, and offers a vision of freedom that isn’t measured in fabric.