Black Wings (Veliz Books)
Spanning two continents, Black Wings is the story of Laila and Yasmeen, a mother and daughter, struggling to meet across the generations, cultures, and secrets that separate them. Their shared grief, as well as the common bond of unhappiness in their marriages, allows them to reconnect after seventeen years of frustration, anger and misunderstandings.
Praise for Black Wings
"Black Wings peels back layers of home and belonging, exploring what it means to be family from different worlds bound by shared secrets. Sehba Sarwar reveals the importance of stories, masterfully weaving the past with the present and the U.S. with Pakistan, in a narrative filled with love which offers us a glimpse into our shared—humanity."—Sorayya Khan, author of City of Spies
"An accidental death that scars a family keeps pulling at its center to unfold a magical world in misty mountains. Black Wings is a tale of family secrets, independent women, and a period of rapid change in Pakistan and post 9/11 America."— Liliana Valenzuela, Author & Translator
Sehba Sarwar creates essays, stories, poems, and art that tackle displacement, migration, and women’s issues. Her writings have appeared in publications including New York Times Sunday Magazine, Asia: Magazine of Asian Literature, Callaloo and elsewhere. Her novel, Black Wings, was first published in 2004 by Alhamra Publishing (Pakistan). Born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan in a home filled with artists and activists, Sarwar is currently based in Southern California where she lives with her husband and daughter.
Welcoming words by Alicia Vogl Saenz, a native of Los Angeles, daughter of immigrants, a poet, a meditation instructor, and a senior museum educator at LACMA, where she coordinates family programs, and leads meditation and art experiences.
Discussion session moderated by Neela Banerjee, Managing Editor of Kaya Press, who teaches writing in the Asian American Studies Department at UCLA. Her writing has appeared in Prairie Schooner, PANK Magazine, Chicago Quarterly Review, and many other places.