Nushrat Azam is the author of ‘The Girl with a Mirror’.

Seeing her mother battle a terminal brain stroke with sheer strength, patience and tolerance inspired Fiji National University (FNU) academic, Nushrat Azam, to pen down her emotions and challenges in her book titled ‘The Girl with a Mirror’.

The book which highlights the journey of a woman is a semi-autographical fiction by Azam, a Lecturer at FNU’s College of Humanities and Education (CHE).

“Seeing my mother battle brain stroke prompted me to reflect about life, past and present experiences and the lessons learnt as a woman,” said Azam.

She added ‘The Girl with a Mirror’ is a collection of tales of every girl who sees herself and the world through her mirror.

“The title of the book has something very simple and basic for everyone to relate to – “The Mirror”. Regardless of the situation, social status or age group, a girl always has a mirror where her journey of reflection begins. The image a girl sets for herself in the mirror takes her in her inner and outer journey,” she mentioned.

Presently working towards her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Feminism, Azam is an active researcher with a keen interest in advocacy on women’s rights and gender studies.

While commending Azam’s work, Assistant Professor at FNU Dr Emit Snake-Beings said through ‘The Girl with a Mirror’ the readers will get the impression that the author is speaking from the lives of multiple women, through many generations, space and time.

“New characters emerge with each story as we travel with them briefly, sharing their mundane worries and deepest intimate thoughts. But then they are gone, endlessly reincarnated with another name, another situation, another slither of life unfolding its mystery through glass,” elaborated Snake-Beings.

“‘The Girl with a Mirror’ is everyone’s story but it cannot be told by everyone therefore Azam’s work deserves appreciation for this service,” added Prashneel Goundar, a Lecturer at the FNU’s Department of Communication, Language & Literature.

FNU’s Head of Department Communication and Media Suzie Aziz has also applauded the author for her interesting and thoughtful text.

“Azam has identified these women and has imagined the pain, experiences, and expectations of these characters. The characters depict women in society – through the eyes and imagination of a young and aspiring writer herself.”

The book can be bought from the author who can be contacted via email nushratazaam@gmail.com