Where to Start Reading Bushra Rehman
If you are new to Bushra Rehman’s writing, the best place to start is her acclaimed 2022 novel, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion. While it was published nine years after her debut novel, Corona, it acts as the perfect emotional and narrative foundation for her recurring protagonist, Razia Mirza.
Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion offers a relatively linear, deeply immersive coming-of-age journey. By starting here, you get to experience Razia’s childhood in 1980s Corona, Queens, the cultural and familial ties that shape her, and the high school friendships that spark her self-discovery and queer identity. Understanding these formative years makes the chaotic, nomadic adventures and the pain of community exile depicted in her other novel, Corona, hit much harder and make far more narrative sense.
The Razia Mirza Books: Chronological vs. Publication Order
Rehman’s novels do not follow a traditional series structure, but they are linked by their central protagonist, Razia Mirza, and their deep roots in the Pakistani-American enclave of Corona, Queens. Depending on your reading preferences, you can choose between two main orders.
1. The Recommended Chronological Order
Reading the books chronologically allows you to follow Razia's life in a natural progression, from her childhood through to her wandering adulthood.
- Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion (2022): Traces Razia’s childhood, her early friendships, her academic acceptance to the prestigious Stuyvesant High School, and her growing realization of her queer identity, culminating in a critical decision about her future.
- Corona (2013): Focuses primarily on Razia’s life after leaving Corona, Queens. Written as a dark comedy, it follows her on a picaresque journey across the United States as she works odd jobs, lives in anarchist spaces, and attempts to rebuild her life in exile.
2. The Publication Order
If you prefer to see how Rehman's writing style evolved and want to experience her work in the order it was released to the public, follow this path:
- Corona (2013)
- Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion (2022)
Reading in publication order presents a unique experience. You begin with the older, more fragmented, and experimental Razia, and then "flash back" in a massive way with the 2022 novel to discover how she became the rebellious wanderer of the first book.
A Deeper Look at the Novels
Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion (2022)
Set against the backdrop of 1980s Corona, Queens, this novel is a poetic and lush coming-of-age story. Razia Mirza is a Pakistani-American girl navigating the expectations of her conservative Muslim community. In her early years, she is anchored by her childhood friend Saima, but a bitter family feud tears the two apart. Later, Razia bonds with Taslima, finding joy in secret pop culture rebellions. Her world expands when she enters Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, where she meets Angela. As their friendship evolves into a deep, queer romance, Razia is forced to navigate the space between her love for her community and her need to live authentically. The book is celebrated for its rich sensory descriptions, humor, and tender treatment of faith and identity.
Corona (2013)
Rehman’s debut novel is a dark comedy and a "picaresque" adventure. Rather than a linear narrative, Corona is told through interconnected vignettes that jump back and forth in time. We see Razia Mirza as a young adult navigating the immediate aftermath of her excommunication from her family after refusing an arranged marriage. The timeline spirals, taking readers from her Queens childhood to her post-9/11 travels. Razia takes on odd roles—such as working as a tour guide pretending to be a Puritan in Massachusetts—navigates the Bhangra club scene in New York City, and lives with anarchist Italians. The novel captures the raw, chaotic energy of youth, displacement, and the search for home when your birthplace is closed to you.
Other Literary Works by Bushra Rehman
Beyond her novels, Bushra Rehman is an accomplished poet and editor. If you want to explore the full breadth of her literary career, consider adding these works to your shelf:
- Colonize This! Young Women of Color on Today’s Feminism (2002; revised edition 2019): Co-edited with Daisy Hernández, this groundbreaking anthology collects essays from young women of color exploring intersectional feminism, heritage, sexuality, and activism. It is widely taught in universities and is considered a landmark text in contemporary feminist literature.
- Marianna’s Beauty Salon (2018): A poetry collection that functions as a love letter to Queens. The poems explore immigrant childhoods, working-class communities, gentrification, and the complex beauty of urban spaces. Many of the themes, settings, and emotional landscapes in this collection directly paved the way for the atmosphere of Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion.
What to Know Before You Start
To get the most out of Bushra Rehman's writing, keep these points in mind:
- The Queens Connection: The neighborhood of Corona, Queens, is practically a character in itself in both novels. Rehman’s writing is heavily grounded in the local geography, sights, sounds, and cultural mix of this community during the late 20th century.
- Non-Linear Narratives: While Roses flows in a more traditional chronological sequence, Corona is highly experimental and episodic. Don't expect a straight path in the latter; embrace the poetic, associative jumps between memories and locations.
- A Note on Name Conflation: When searching for her books online, be careful not to confuse her with Bushra Rahman (1944–2022), a highly prolific Pakistani politician and novelist who wrote extensively in Urdu (known for works like Lagan and Parsa). The two are entirely separate authors.
- Themes of Queer Identity and Faith: Rehman does not frame queer identity and Muslim faith as inherently incompatible, but rather explores the complex, lived reality of navigating both. Her characters struggle with community expectations, yet retain a deep love for their heritage.