Jared Szafman

A Filipino-American woman grapples with going behind her strict Catholic sister's back to buy condoms for her 14-year-old niece.

Set in New York City, The Elegant Clockwork of the Universe chronicles the immediate days following a young woman, Mala Adou’s disappearance, and her boyfriend, Muhammad’s dogged drive to find her. Muhammad Masood is a middle school teacher whose life is turned upside down when he awakens one morning to find his lover, Mala Adou, of six years gone—leaving behind everything.