In the world of Shubeik Lubeik, wishes have real impact, from national crises like drought or epidemic to the frivolous whims of the rich (ever want a dinosaur or flying car? A wish'll do that for you.). As with all resources, however, wishes are regulated, rated, and a bureaucratic nightmare. Third class wishes are the common ones that often go awry (like wishing for a new car and getting a toy version) while first class wishes are rare, expensive, and must be saved for very important needs. Kiosk owner Shokry has three first-class wishes that he needs to sell, and the story follows the wishes as they are purchased and used by a grieving widow, a depressed college student, and finally by Shokry himself, whose desire to use the wish to save a dying friend is in deep conflict with his religious convictions against using wishes.
Originally published in Arabic in Egypt, the book is read from right to left (and, to our western eyes, from back to front), which can take a few pages to get used to. But any temporary discomfort is well worth pushing through, as the book is a profound meditation on everything from privilege to mental health to religion and regret. And it's also funny! An excellent story with fully realized characters and worldbuilding, beautifully told. I just wish I'd read this before the annual UCPL Best Books of the Year list, as this definitely would've been on it.
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