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A New Novel After the Nobel? No Pressure, Says Abdulrazak Gurnah.
In an email interview, the 2021 Nobel laureate talked about the pleasure of meeting new readers and why he writes about “unexpected kindnesses.” SCOTT HELLER What books are on your night stand? Mircea Cartarescu, “Solenoid”; Beata Umubyeyi Mairisse …
In an email interview, the 2021 Nobel laureate talked about the pleasure of meeting new readers and why he writes about “unexpected kindnesses.” SCOTT HELLER
What books are on your night stand?
Mircea Cartarescu, “Solenoid”; Beata Umubyeyi Mairisse, “The Convoy”; Juan Gabriel Vásquez, “Retrospective.”
How do you organize your books?
I cluster together books by the same author. Which books end up as their neighbor is sometimes a matter of chance, although generally nearby books are on nodding terms with each other.
Describe your ideal reading experience (when, where, what, how).
Usually in the afternoon, after having spent the earlier part of the day writing or dealing with the chores life throws up. Then for a few hours it is possible to read with pleasure, most of the time, and without distraction.
What kind of reader were you as a child?
My parents were not readers, so my early reading was what was provided at school. As we grew older, we found ways to get hold of other kinds of books, and these circulated among us, sometimes causing great excitement. I remember when “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” was doing the rounds, although I suspect most of us did not make much of it. When I read it later as a student, it was all new to me. Most of the books we read were unmemorable, although a handful stand out — “And Quiet Flows the Don,” “Crime and Punishment” and “Far From the Madding Crowd,” which was the first Hardy novel I read, prompted by the beautiful film with Julie Christie, Alan Bates and Terence Stamp.
Have you ever gotten in trouble for reading a book?
No, never.
What’s the best book you’ve ever received as a gift?
