Peanut Butter & Blueberries - by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Hafsah and Bilal aren't looking for love. Hafsah has her faith, her books, her dreams. Bilal's just trying to get through uni. Studying in London, far from their hometowns of Bradford and Birmingham, they find common ground over a peanut butter and blueberry sandwich.

But just as their connection is growing, the world around them becomes harder to ignore. As competing opportunities, obligations and injustices get in the way, will they be able to choose each other?

Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan's play Peanut Butter & Blueberries is a tender and bittersweet love story that explores how to love when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. It was first performed at Kiln Theatre, London, in 2024, directed by Sameena Hussain.

Review Quotes

'A bittersweet romcom akin to David Nicholls' One Day... a sun-kissed love story tinged with tragedy... Manzoor-Khan's dialogue wonderfully captures the idiomatic tenor of everyday conversation between students... this is clearly a writer with real skill and ambition, and it will be fascinating to see where she goes next'

--Telegraph

'Arrestingly unexpected... a two-hander that doesn't play out via romcom rules... Manzoor-Khan's text carries salt and darting lyricism'

--Guardian

'A classic will-they-won't-they-yes-obviously-they-absolutely-will rom-com, except both characters are practicing Muslims... a simple, innocent love story with characters you're desperately rooting for'

--WhatsOnStage

'A gentle, elegantly plotted love story... shines light onto aspects of UK life still rarely depicted on stage... as a gesture of inclusivity in the capital it couldn't be more timely'

--Evening Standard

'Bittersweet and touching... Manzoor-Khan's play works because it both celebrates the romcom and, because it's about two devout young Muslims, intrinsically subverts the form... an impressive playwriting debut'

--Time Out

'A funny and refreshing take on a romantic comedy... funny and believable... doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of [the characters'] world, and when obstacles inevitably arise, you care about their impact. Crucially, the ending, like all the best, is sad, but life-affirming'

--The Stage

'A delicious and original meet cute... extremely refreshing... touching and sweet'

--Broadway World

'Inclusive and groundbreaking... the writing sparkles and its tender romance is beguiling... successfully evokes a world rich in mystery and delicate emotion... a show that makes its points with economy and intelligence'

--Arts Desk

'Gorgeous... a window into the all-consuming rush of first love... full of quiet intimacy... It's also really funny'

--All That Dazzles

About the Author

Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan is a writer, poet and educator.