The Coin

Service95 Recommends is the home of the books we love and reviews from our contributors. The Coin by Yasmin Zaher follows a young Palestinian woman grappling in a New York high school as she attempts to thrive in America. 

What We Say: “Described as ‘a filthy, elegant book’, The Coin tells the story of a financially wealthy but emotionally impoverished Palestinian woman who recently arrived in New York City. We join the unnamed narrator over an eight-month period as she juggles teaching troubled inner-city boys with a pyramid buying scheme of Birkin bags with her homeless grifter situation, a man she calls Trenchcoat. Bonkers? Yes. Messy? Often. Told in short, episodic bursts, The Coin is full of complexities and contradictions – a fun, decadent and dark read” - Maria Padget

What They Say: “I loved this bonkers novel. I was hooked by the voice, and mesmerized by the glamorous and sordid hijinks. I have never read such a strange and recognizable representation of post-2016 New York City, its luxury and squalor. Zaher is a writer to watch” - Elif Batuman

Available on Bookshop.org, Waterstones and Barnes & Noble

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Maria Padget is Service95 Book Club Director