Who killed Zorah? Immigrant community's secrets exposed

Patmeena Sabit's debut novel, "Good People," constructs a polyphonic portrait of a contemporary American migrant community through a series of short, fragmented testimonies. These narratives probe the suspicious drowning death of Zorah Sharaf, an Afghan-American teenager found deceased in a canal.

The novel features voices from Zorah's family, friends, neighbors, teachers, and media commentators, slowly revealing conflicting perspectives on the grieving Sharaf family. While some portray them as loving and tight-knit, others describe them as dysfunctional and punitive.

As the community itself becomes a collective detective, the narrative delves into the immigrant experience, dissecting poisonous gossip and wider societal divisions. The Sharaf family, having achieved the American dream through Rahmat's business success, grapples with honoring their culture while raising Americanized teenagers.

Sabit masterfully manipulates reader perception through contradictory accounts, leaving the cause of Zorah's death ambiguous. The story questions whether her death was a tragic accident on a wet road or a consequence of cultural punishment, possibly an honor killing.

While the novel's structure offers a compelling, addictive reading experience and insightful cultural commentary, it limits deeper emotional character exploration. "Good People" stimulates and educates but ultimately leaves readers with a sense of how modern life is often consumed in digestible, yet not always nourishing, portions.