While this wasn't the read for me, I have to say the writing is superbly descriptive and beautifully poetic.
The story flows because of how well the author tell the tale.
I actually was hooked more by how the story is told rather than what the story was.

What draw me to this book was the cover and the title. I am more of fantasy and speculative fiction reader, and I want to expand a bit of my horizon. This book seemed like a good pick, especially since it has such a strong link with stories.

Unfortunately, it fell short for me. I don't know if it was a 'not the right moment' kind of thing, if the book is simply not for me or something else. But I quickly realised it wasn"t going to be as interesting as I hoped for.

One of the reason is that, despite the book being sold as somewhat of an mystery novel, with a need to resolve a murder, it isn't so much at the centre of the story. Similarly, the reunion between mother and daughter is there, but it felt a bit shallow, distant. I guess I didn't get into this book with the right expectations.

It is well enough written, nothing that strike me as very engaging, but still good. Stories do play a big role in the narrative, but in a more scholarly way, erasing a bit of the mysticism and wonder for me. The book is using the murders as a tool to get the main character to explore herself, her past and the hollowness where her birth mother resided. Then they reunite, and we delve into the mother's past, before getting a sort of family drama reolsution (I am not using the word drama to be negative, the events are quite dramatic). The part of the stories in the resolution of the murder is there, but too structural for me, again.

In the end, this book is too much like a a reflexion about identity, family history and constructing ourselves. I love these kind of stories, but when it is not so much obvious, using a thin plot and characters to create that reflection. I prefer the other way around. So. Not a good fit for me, but it should be really enjoyable for people who like such stories !

Faiqa Mansab’s The Sufi Storyteller is an evocative tapestry of language and atmosphere, masterfully blending lyrical prose with vivid descriptions that transport readers across continents and into the realm of Story itself. Mansab’s writing is rich, immersive, and poetic, weaving a hypnotic rhythm that mirrors the traditions of Sufi storytelling. Each page resonates with a sensory depth—whether she is describing the intricate details of a small American college town or the rugged beauty of the Afghan mountains.

What truly sets this book apart is Mansab's command of language; her sentences flow with a fluidity that feels almost musical, drawing readers into a world where words hold both beauty and power. The layers of meaning embedded in the descriptions invite reflection and linger long after the final page. If you appreciate stories where the prose feels like art, The Sufi Storyteller is a must-read.