Randa Jarrar uses humor throughout the novel to address serious and sensitive topics. Discuss the role of humor in the novel and how it conveys the author’s messages. Provide examples of humorous scenes and their deeper meanings.

Analyze the mother-daughter relationship between Nidali and her mother. How does their dynamic evolve throughout the novel? What does their relationship reveal about the challenges of cultural adaptation and generational differences?

Explore the theme of displacement and belonging in the novel. How do Nidali and her family navigate the idea of “home” as they move from place to place? How does this relate to the broader representations of migration and diaspora?