I haven't been able to stop thinking about this book since I've read it.

It's such a thought-provoking and deeply introspective novel that blends the everyday struggles of a young woman, a child of immigrant parents, whilst providing the possibility of an alternate reality. Sirad's journey from her flat in South London to a reimagined Mogadishu offers a powerful reflection on the roads not taken and the impact of migration, family, and identity.

The novel’s premise is so unique and left me wondering about what could have been. Ibrahim does an amazing job at showing Sirad being burdened by the weight of her responsibilities, and suddenly finds herself in an alternate version of her life in Mogadishu. The contrast between her existence in Greenwich and the streets of Somalia is vividly portrayed, and the emotional weight of Sirad confronting her double, Ubah, is captivating. Ubah represents the life she could have had, and the novel explores how the choices of parents and the forces of history shape the destiny and ultimate outcome of her life.

Sirad’s internal struggle is the heart of the novel, dealing with themes of displacement and belonging. Ibrahim's portrayal is so real and raw, and as the story develops, I was hooked at the way small decision impact her future, especially with her relationship with Omar.

Salutation Road is such a fantastic novel that leaves you constantly thinking. Its exploration of duality, fate, and the immigrant experience is so powerful.

A must read.

Really enjoyable and thought provoking piece of speculative fiction about a young woman who experiences an alternative reality of life in her parents' homeland in Mogadishu instead of her own life in South East London.

It's a meditative and thoughtful piece about identity, responsibility and choices, that's also highly readable with memorable characters. This is a unique book that has power.

My gratitude goes out to Pan Macmillan | Mantle for granting me access to this ARC. The themes and stories surrounding migration resonate deeply with me, particularly as someone who has left her own country. A book is truly captivating when it leaves you reflecting for days, trying to digest its complexities, and that’s exactly the experience this book provided. I can’t express enough how well the characters were crafted; their journeys, happiness, and struggles profoundly impacted me as a reader. I appreciated the sensitivity that the author infused into the narrative, which created a beautiful tapestry of the overall story and plot. This work stands out as a memorable piece of speculative fiction, powerful enough to give voice to countless other stories.