SHORTLISTED FOR 2021 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

Fazle Chowdhury's Never Among Equals is a compelling historical novel set in the early 20th century, focusing on Firoze Hazari, a young man navigating life in pre-World War I London. After graduating from Oxford, chooses to remain in London, defying his family's expectations to return and join the family business. He secures a position at an investment firm, but his career takes a downturn when he is dismissed after voicing concerns about the firm's risky investments related to the German Empire.

Facing financial hardship and seeking purpose, Firoze enlists in the British Army. His journey leads him into the complexities of wartime intelligence, where he is tasked with a perilous mission behind enemy lines. Throughout the novel, Firoze confronts challenges stemming from his status as a colonial subject in British society, grappling with issues of identity, belonging, and systemic prejudice.

The narrative delves into themes of ambition, resilience, and the quest for self-definition amidst the backdrop of a world on the brink of transformation. Chowdhury's portrayal of early 20th-century London and the intricacies of its social hierarchies offers readers a nuanced exploration of the era's cultural and political tensions.