What if history had taken a different turn, and you were on the wrong side of it? In a world reshaped by a single turning point, England is no longer a global power, but a fractured, war-ravaged state struggling at the edges of survival. Crumbling cities, ration lines, and foreign aid define daily life in a country left behind by history. The victors? The prosperous, united Muslim nations who now lead the world in science, culture, and diplomacy, their infl uence stretching from Casablanca to Jakarta. Marwan Tayeh navigates this precarious world with quiet defiance. Haunted by his past and burdened by impossible loyalties, Marwan’s story unfolds as both a harrowing personal memoir and a sweeping tale of a shattered nation. Acts of Faith is a hauntingly beautiful novel of speculative dystopia, told in lyrical, evocative prose. With piercing insight, it confronts our assumptions about empire, identity, and who gets to write history. Daring, provocative, and deeply human, this is the alternative future we dare not imagine. Plot/Idea: Gilson's Acts of Faith is a fictional memoir and novel of alternative history that tells the story of a young Lebanese man who, while teaching at a university in London, is taken captive. Gilson offers an inventive yet subtle story that challenges literary conventions. Prose: Gilson has a measured, understated prose style that wonderfully captures his central character's ordeal. Originality: Acts of Faith is unique both in premise and structure. The speculative elements–what if the Muslim nations dominated the international landscape?–are explored with quiet nuance. Character/Execution: Readers will be quickly drawn into the story via Marwan Tayeh's candid, self-reflective narrative and the chilling transition from his casual days spent drinking and debating with colleagues, to being held captive. Date Submitted: August 25, 2025