Aria Aber’s 'Good Girl' Explores Identity, Exile, and Berlin’s Underground Scene

The debut novel follows Nila, a young Afghan-German woman, as she navigates cultural displacement, family expectations, and Berlin’s techno subculture.

Aria Aber’s debut novel, 'Good Girl,' portrays the struggles of Nila, the daughter of Afghan refugees, growing up in Berlin post-reunification and post-9/11.
The narrative delves into Nila’s conflict between her parents’ conservative hopes for her and her own yearning for freedom and self-expression.
Set against Berlin’s vibrant club and techno scene, the novel examines themes of exile, identity, and belonging through Nila’s relationships and artistic pursuits.
Nila’s complex affair with Marlowe, an older American writer, highlights power dynamics, desire, and self-discovery.
Aber draws inspiration from her own experiences and works by refugee and exilic artists, creating a vivid exploration of cultural and personal displacement.