Super Short Summary

In Ayad Akhtar's American Dervish, the protagonist, Hayat Shah, recounts his experiences as a Pakistani-American boy in 1980s Milwaukee. When his mother's friend Mina moves in, he becomes infatuated with her and learns about Islam. Mina falls in love with a Jewish man named Nathan, leading to tensions within their community and family. Hayat's actions, driven by his newfound religious fervor, result in heartbreak and lasting consequences. The novel explores themes of religious identity, family conflict, and the complexities of love. This book includes depictions of intimate partner violence.