A true story that's tender, powerful, and surprisingly funny - perfect for anyone who's ever wondered where they really come from.
In the smoky aftermath of Partition, a teenage girl leaves everything she knows behind - a small village in South Asia - and boards a ship to Britain in the 1950s. What follows is a life of resilience, quiet rebellion, and the invisible labour of building a future for her family.
Told through the eyes of her son, Origins: The Roots We Stand On is a heartfelt and often humorous tribute to the generation of South Asian women who uprooted their lives so their children could flourish. Blending true family history with memory and imagination, this story brings to life the struggles, small victories, and secret joys of the immigrant experience - from snowy British council estates to stubborn family pride and mismatched Tupperware.
For second- and third-generation British Asians, this is more than a memoir - it's a cultural mirror and a love letter to our elders. It's the story we wish we'd asked our parents and grandparents to tell us... and the one we can now share with our own children.
Whether you're looking to reconnect with your roots or gift a meaningful read to someone who should, this book will make you laugh, cry, and maybe call your mum.