When the winning designer of the anonymous 9/11 memorial contest is revealed to be an American Muslim, a firestorm erupts among the media, politicians, victim families, artists and the jury panel. Midway through the novel I found myself not connecting with architect, the widow, or the detractors. I think this was the intention of the author, so that each argument and point of view would have equal weight. The novel really picks up when undocumented immigrant 9/11 widow Asma Anwar speaks at the public hearing. The action that follows is sad yet predictable. Nice epilogue. Powerful story. Great for a book club.

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