Zara Maqbool’s debut novel, Saniya, is a compelling, soul-stirring journey into the hidden depths of a woman who has made it her life’s mission to help others heal, while silently battling wounds of her own. The narrative is a poignant reflection on the dualities we all carry: the image we present to the world, and the truth that lives quietly, often painfully, within us.
The protagonist, Saniya, is a successful therapist, admired by her clients and peers alike. She is poised, articulate, compassionate—a figure of hope and strength. To those who walk into her clinic, she appears to be the embodiment of calm and resilience, someone who has it all figured out. But as the story unfolds, the reader is invited behind this carefully constructed facade, where we encounter a very different woman: conflicted, haunted, and vulnerable.
Saniya’s personal life is a complex web of hidden traumas, moral dilemmas, and emotional contradictions. Maqbool masterfully reveals this contrast between the healer and the wounded, the public self and the private soul. The novel’s central question—Will Saniya risk everything in pursuit of the life she truly desires, even if it means tearing apart everything she holds dear?—functions not only as the engine of the plot but also as a profound psychological inquiry.
What makes Saniya particularly powerful is Maqbool’s nuanced understanding of the therapeutic process and the emotional toll it can take on the practitioner. The idea of a “wounded healer”—a concept deeply rooted in both Jungian psychology and lived experience—comes alive through Saniya’s character. Maqbool doesn’t romanticize trauma or healing; rather, she presents both as layered, messy, and non-linear.
The novel’s structure mirrors Saniya’s internal journey. Shifting between past and present, Maqbool guides the reader through key moments that have shaped Saniya’s emotional architecture—childhood memories, romantic entanglements, betrayals, and ethical challenges in her professional life.
One of the most striking aspects of Saniya is its exploration of silence—the things we do not say, the feelings we suppress, and the truths we bury to maintain an illusion of control. For Saniya, silence becomes both a shield and a prison. Her inability to confront certain aspects of her life leads to a slow but steady unravelling, forcing her to reassess everything she thought she knew about herself and the people around her.
The supporting characters in the novel are equally well-drawn. They are not mere backdrops to Saniya’s story, but fully realized individuals whose own conflicts and decisions add richness to the narrative.
Perhaps the most admirable quality of Saniya is its refusal to provide a neat resolution. This is not a story of easy redemption or tidy conclusions. Instead, Maqbool offers something far more valuable: a realistic portrayal of personal growth, one that acknowledges the ongoing nature of healing. By the novel’s end, Saniya may not have all the answers, but she has made the courageous choice to face her truth.
In today’s world, where perfection is so often projected and pain is hidden behind curated images, Saniya is a necessary reminder of the value of vulnerability. It encourages readers to reflect on the masks they wear, the burdens they carry, and the quiet battles fought behind closed doors. It also serves as a tribute to those in the helping professions—therapists, counselors, caregivers—whose own struggles often remain unseen.
Saniya is more than just a novel; it’s a psychological and emotional excavation. Zara Maqbool’s writing is fearless, empathetic, and deeply insightful. Through Saniya’s journey, she touches upon themes of identity, emotional repression, professional ethics, and the courage it takes to live authentically. For readers who appreciate character-driven stories rich in psychological depth and emotional realism, Saniya is an unmissable read. It lingers long after the last page is turned, challenging us to look inward and ask: What parts of ourselves have we buried? And what would it take to bring them to light? 
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