Land of No Regrets: A Novel

Nominated for the Toronto Book Award

A heart-wrenching story of four students who find hope and kinship amidst the challenges of growing up at a harrowing madrasa in rural Ontario.

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 the new rules, he still longs for his past life of baseball, video games, comic books and girls. When he stumbles upon two students doing something they shouldn’t be doing, he quickly falls into their company and joins them in their misdeeds. 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’s words connect them to a bygone era and inspire 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 Regrets is a vibrant, compassionate exploration of faith, friendship and the true value of freedom.

ISBN: 9781443468299
Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: May 21, 2024

“Bold, compelling, and deliciously carefree, Land of No Regrets flavorfully weaves the rhythms of hip-hop slang and Arabic with that fun universal language of childhood mischief.” — Sidik Fofana, author of Stories from the Tenants Downstairs“A singular novel that achieves what other coming-of-age stories dare not attempt, Land of No Regrets reaches across real and imagined borders to teach us an indispensable lesson: wherever there is cruelty, there is also humanity. Wherever there is hopelessness, there is also courage. In more ways than one, Sadi Muktadir has redrawn the boundaries of a genre.” — Anise Vance, author of Hush Harbor“Completely engrossing. Sadi Muktadir's Land of No Regrets is a coming-of-age story that has four teenage boys grappling with faith and belonging while living under the incredible demands of life both within and beyond their madrasa. Hilarious and moving—you can hear the battle cries of friendship at every turn.” — Susie Luo, author of Paper Names“The intimacy, humour, and pain Sadi Muktadir elicits in Land of No Regrets – the specificity, strangeness and aching familiarity of Nabil’s exploration of the traps that litter both faith and secularism – mark this as the debut of a unique, powerful writer. A wonderful novel.” — Naben Ruthnum, author of Helpmeet and A Hero of Our Time“In Land of No Regrets, Sadi Muktadir crafts a beautiful coming-of-age tale of longing and pain and grief and the human experience. This novel moved me immeasurably and had me invested in every character. I can't wait to read more from this talented writer.” — Ethan Joella, author of A Quiet Life“Land of No Regrets is a nostalgic tale about young friendship between four Muslim boys, imbued with a rollicking, modern personality. Muktadir writes with tenderness and humor, and he allows space for a textured culture and shared histories, even at the story's most heart-wrenching moments. I left feeling as though I'd known these boys my entire life.” — Gabriella Burnham, author of It Is Wood, It Is Stone and Wait“With warmth and wit, Muktadir explores the price of true friendship and what some are willing to risk in its name.”
— Toronto Star