The history of Zanzibar is prevalent in the work of Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, including his new release, ‘Theft’, which is set in the 1990s and explores themes of injustice, class and personal growth. Abdulrazak speaks to Georgina Godwin about his upbringing in Britain following the revolution in his home country, his PhD on West African fiction and his transition from academia to fiction.

The history of Zanzibar is prevalent in the work of Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah, including his new release, &lsquo;Theft&rsquo;, which is set in the 1990s and explores themes of injustice, class and personal growth. Abdulrazak speaks to Georgina Godwin about his upbringing in Britain following the revolution in his home country, his PhD on West African fiction and his transition from academia to fiction.

Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Saturday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person behind the prose. 

Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Saturday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person behind the prose.

Want to know more about the authors behind your favourite books? Tune in to discover the methods of – and inspiration behind – some of the world’s most exciting writers. Every Saturday, Georgina Godwin hosts an in-depth discussion with the person behind t

Meet the Writers

Abdulrazak Gurnah and Zanzibar’s multicultural history

As a fiction writer, essayist and journalist, Lauren Markham’s work most often concerns issues related to youth, migration, the environment and her home state of California. ‘A Map of Future Ruins’ explores the global immigration crisis’s historical, contemporary and, of course, future implications. Speaking with Georgina Godwin during the Lannan Literary Festival at Georgetown University, Lauren shares stories of her Greek upbringing, working with refugee communities and her future work.

As a fiction writer, essayist and journalist, Lauren Markham&rsquo;s work most often concerns issues related to youth, migration, the environment and her home state of California. &lsquo;A Map of Future Ruins&rsquo; explores the global immigration crisis&rsquo;s historical, contemporary and, of course, future implications. Speaking with Georgina Godwin during the Lannan Literary Festival at Georgetown University, Lauren shares stories of her Greek upbringing, working with refugee communities and her future work.

Lauren Markham at the Lannan Literary Festival

Janet de Neefe’s explorations of cooking and writing have seen her publish her hybrid memoir-cookbook ‘Fragrant Rice’ and open various restaurants and guesthouses in Bali, Indonesia. Speaking to Georgina Godwin in Ubud, De Neefe discusses her many businesses, including founding the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, her Balinese cultural integration and spirituality, and further plans.

Janet de Neefe&rsquo;s explorations of cooking and writing have seen her publish her hybrid memoir-cookbook &lsquo;Fragrant Rice&rsquo; and open various restaurants and guesthouses in Bali, Indonesia. Speaking to Georgina Godwin in Ubud, De Neefe discusses her many businesses, including founding the Ubud Writers &amp; Readers Festival, her Balinese cultural integration and spirituality, and further plans.

Janet de Neefe’s cultural ventures in Bali

Tash Aw’s writing puts the history and reality of Southeast Asia on the page. His latest novel, ‘The South’, is the first in a quartet series exploring family struggles amid climatic and economic change. Speaking to Georgina Godwin, Aw discusses his upbringing, his influences, his relationship with Malaysia and the reality behind the glossy image of Southeast Asia.

Tash Aw&rsquo;s writing puts the history and reality of Southeast Asia on the page. His latest novel, &lsquo;The South&rsquo;, is the first in a quartet series exploring family struggles amid climatic and economic change. Speaking to Georgina Godwin, Aw discusses his upbringing, his influences, his relationship with Malaysia and the reality behind the glossy image of Southeast Asia.

Abdulrazak Gurnah and Zanzibar’s multicultural history

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