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“When the world held its breath, love held families together.” —
New York Weekly
“A heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and the bonds that refuse to break.” —
Literary Titan
"This book provides a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of how the pandemic reshaped family life.
Ella – A Reader’s Review
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about
When the World Held Its Breath
What is When the World Held Its Breath about?
It is a literary family drama set during the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdown confines the Harrison family to their home, tensions rise, until Laura Harrison falls critically ill and is placed on a ventilator. When she wakes, she has lost her memory, and her husband David and their children must help her rediscover who she is while holding their family together.
Is it based on a true story?
No. The Harrison family is fictional. The novel focuses on the very real human response to the pandemic: fear, uncertainty, love and resilience, rather than a medical or historical account.
What genre is the book?
It is contemporary literary fiction and a family drama, set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What makes When the World Held Its Breath different from other COVID-19 novels?
Unlike novels that concentrate primarily on the pandemic itself, When the World Held Its Breath focuses on the human relationships affected by it. The story explores how an unexpected crisis changes a marriage, challenges parental responsibilities, and forces teenagers to confront adult realities. Through the Harrison family's experiences, the novel examines love, memory, identity, and moral responsibility. The pandemic provides the setting, but the heart of the story is the family's determination to remain connected despite circumstances beyond their control.
What awards has it won?
It won the Silver Literary Titan Book Award in 2026 and was featured in New York Weekly. It has also received more than 25 five-star reader reviews on Amazon.
Who is this book for?
It is written for adult readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories about family, love and resilience. It is also well suited to teens.
Why should teens read it?
Today’s teenagers were young children during the pandemic. They wore masks, stayed home and followed the rules, often without fully understanding why. Reading this novel helps them make sense of that time and relate it to their own experiences and actions during those years.
Is it a good choice for book clubs?
Yes. The novel raises many discussion topics: how families cope with crisis, ethical choices, memory and identity, and what “normal” means after a life-changing event.
What are the main themes?
Family bonds, love, courage, sacrifice, memory loss and recovery, and finding hope in times of fear and uncertainty.
Who is the author?
R. Suleman is an award-winning contemporary fiction author and former Pakistan Air Force fighter pilot. He writes for children, teens and adults, and has published eleven books. This is his debut novel for adults.
Which formats are available?
The book is available in ebook, paperback and hardcover formats.
Where can I buy it?
You can buy the ebook directly from the author on this website. The ebook, paperback and hardcover are also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Walmart.
Can I read a sample first?
Yes. Free sample chapters are available on the Free Chapters page.