Land of No Regrets by Sadi Muktadir

Nabil, freshly plucked from middle school in Scarborough, is struggling to find his place at Al Haque Islamic Academy. Between the intense religious studies and new rules, he still longs for his past life of baseball, video games, comic books and girls.When he stumbles upon Maaz and Nawaaz doing something they shouldn't be doing, he quickly falls into their company and joins them in their misdeeds. And together with the new transfer student and unruly class clown Farid, the group executes their rebellion.

One day, while exploring the Madrasa at night, the boys discover the diary of a student who lived on the grounds when it was an all-girls Catholic school. Cynthia Lewis' words connect them to a bygone era and inspires them to hatch a plot to escape. They form a pact, and together, their ultimate decision sends them hurtling down a path that changes their lives forever.

Strikingly original, and as poignant as it is humorous,Land of No Regretsis a vibrant, compassionate exploration of faith, friendship, identityand the true value of freedom.(From Macmillan)

• 52works of Canadian fiction coming out in spring 2024

Sadi Muktadir is a Toronto based writer and editor at Joyland Magazine. Land of No Regrets is his first novel.