Slums of Paradise: A Novel
Samiha Hoque
(She Writes Press, 2026)

SAT. 9/26 | 10:00 AM—FREDERICK D. THOMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Rooted in the complexities of Bangladesh’s Liberation War against West Pakistan, Slums of Paradise tells the story of two people from very different worlds who are changed by a chance encounter. Sumaya is the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat, while Murshed lives under the hopeless shadow of his father’s religious and political stance, marking his family as traitors. Connected by the far reaches of tyranny and tradition, these families discover what’s found and lost—dreaming of a Bangladesh free from dictatorship and holding the silent hope of paradise.

About the Author
Samiha Hoque is a Bangladeshi American environmentalist, author, and publisher who was born and educated in Brooklyn. She co-founded the independent press Shaherazad Shelves and is a two-time Climate Justice Fellow for the Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health. She and her husband live in Delaware.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About Conversation Partner
Nancy J. Powell retired in 2014 after a 37-year career in the US Foreign Service, holding its highest rank, the title of Career Ambassador. Among her many senior positions were Ambassador to Uganda, Ghana, Pakistan, Nepal, and India. She is active in the Coastal Camera Club in Lewes.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partner —  The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2026 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, the Red Wagon Foundation, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. The Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence. The authors' welcome reception is made possible by Half Full and Historic Lewes, while their Saturday reception is made possible by Ronald Collins and Susan Cohen

Special thanks to our Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library for event promotion and production; Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival; and Historic Lewes for event promotion and author hospitality. Thanks also to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.