Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know

In her latest novel, New York Times best-selling author Samira Ahmed weaves together the stories of two young women across centuries, exploring their struggles against familial pressures and cultural expectations. Set in contemporary Paris, 17-year-old Khayyam faces personal turmoil while navigating her aspirations as an art historian, while two hundred years earlier, Leila contends with the constraints of her life in a harem. As their narratives intertwine, Khayyam uncovers the legacy of a 19th-century Muslim woman, leading both characters toward transformation and empowerment.