Shape of an Apostrophe (Paperback)

'Wonderful, powerful and very moving' Marian Keyes

Uttama Kirit Patel

A fresh and taboo-breaking depiction of the Indian diaspora, for readers of Jhumpa Lahiri, Avni Doshi and Claire Kilroy

'A darkly funny tale about the Indian diaspora' Avni Doshi, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Burnt Sugar

Lina never wanted children, but now there are two lines on the test. Where does she go from here?

Lina Solanki is pregnant and newly orphaned, living with her in-laws in their opulent Dubai villa. While her husband fails to make concrete plans to find their own place and tensions in their marriage grow, Lina's boisterous mother-in-law interferes with every aspect of the pregnancy. Then, when proof of a horrifying family secret arrives from Mumbai, Lina realises that she has a choice when it comes to her baby, her marriage and her place in the world - but is it a choice she wants to make?

A bittersweet yet life-affirming debut revealing the intricacies of family life behind closed doors, Shape of an Apostrophe is a taboo-breaking exploration of motherhood, obedience, rebellion and the surprising persistence of love.

Publication date: 10/04/2025

£14.99

ISBN: 9781800819900

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Fiction

Shape of an Apostrophe (Ebook)

'Wonderful, powerful and very moving' Marian Keyes

Uttama Kirit Patel

Preorder from

A fresh and taboo-breaking depiction of the Indian diaspora, for readers of Jhumpa Lahiri, Avni Doshi and Claire Kilroy

'A darkly funny tale about the Indian diaspora' Avni Doshi, Booker Prize-shortlisted author of Burnt Sugar

Lina never wanted children, but now there are two lines on the test. Where does she go from here?

Lina Solanki is pregnant and newly orphaned, living with her in-laws in their opulent Dubai villa. While her husband fails to make concrete plans to find their own place and tensions in their marriage grow, Lina's boisterous mother-in-law interferes with every aspect of the pregnancy. Then, when proof of a horrifying family secret arrives from Mumbai, Lina realises that she has a choice when it comes to her baby, her marriage and her place in the world - but is it a choice she wants to make?

A bittersweet yet life-affirming debut revealing the intricacies of family life behind closed doors, Shape of an Apostrophe is a taboo-breaking exploration of motherhood, obedience, rebellion and the surprising persistence of love.

Publication date: 10/04/2025

£13.99

ISBN: 9781800819917

Imprint: Serpent's Tail

Subject: Biography & Memoir, Fiction

Uttama Kirit Patel

Uttama Kirit Patel