This is Where the Serpent Lives

Intimate and epic, elegiac and profoundly moving- a tour de force destined to become a classic of contemporary literature
'Set to be a standout novel of 2026 ... Brutal, funny and brilliantly told' Patrick Gale, Guardian
'All the makings of a classic' Vogue
'Expect to see this novel all over prize lists in 2026 ... Mueenuddin is a literary magician' The Times
'Masterful storytelling' Daily Mail
'A book you'll be hearing about again' New York Times
'An excoriating epic of class and power' Observer
'A future classic, pure and simple ... Simply put, the novel is a triumph' Irish Times

Daniyal Mueenuddin's This Is Where the Serpent Lives paints a powerful portrait of contemporary feudal Pakistan and a farm on which the destinies of a dozen unforgettable characters are linked through violence and love, resilience, and tragedy. Yazid rises from abject poverty to the role of trusted servant to an affluent gangster; Saqib, an errand boy, is eventually trusted to lead his boss's new farming venture, where he becomes determined to rise above his rank by any means necessary. Saqib's boss, the wealthy landowner Hisham, reminisces about meeting his wife while she was dating his brother while Gazala, a young teacher, falls for Saqib and his bold promises for their future before learning about his plans to skim money from the farm's profits.