Through the guises of sisters Mira (a messy, creative type) and Hana (the defensive and uptight foil), author Huma Qureshi explores the quandary of whether our nearest and dearest can be sources of inspiration for fiction. As Mira copy and pastes Hana’s marital struggles into playwriting, this novel presents a pleasant but predictable meditation on the ethics of writing.

Playing Games alternates between characters chapter by chapter, with some scenes overlapping and, therefore, repetition is rife. The novel’s echoing nature is accentuated by Mira’s unoriginality when it comes to writing her play, as we relive a major plot point through her drawn-out creative process. Given the novel’s two distinct perspectives, as told by an omniscient third-person narrator, the structure sometimes lacks much-needed distance between these two sisters. The implication is that there is little room for anticipation over what might happen next.

While not revolutionary in its various storylines, and somewhat rushed secondary characters, Playing Games is saved by its underlying warmth. Amid sibling rivalry and resentment, its narration illuminates unspoken affection in moments of outward tension. Although Mira and Hana might not like to vocalise it, they do ultimately have each other’s backs. Bringing comfort to her readers, Qureshi sheds light on how communication can sometimes be trickiest with those who matter most to us.

Huma Qureshi: Playing Games is published by Sceptre on Thursday 9 November.