FUNDAMENTALLY

Sarah Slimani gives an engaging and often funny performance of this satirical debut novel. Nadia is a London lecturer who, after writing an academic article about the deradicalization of ISIS brides, takes a job in Iraq to head a UN program to repatriate those women to their homes. Slimani captures the many layers of the novel, which uses satire as a vehicle to explore radicalization, racism, the hypocrisy of the UN, religion, feminism, and much more. Nadia is immediately out of her depth, and Slimani beautifully voices her idealism, determination, and growing cynicism. Her excellent portrayal of Nadia's various UN colleagues adds to the audiobook's comic charm without detracting from its serious themes. A unique and thought-provoking debut. L.S. © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2025]