Kamila Shamsie

Kamila Shamsie's new novel is Home Fire.

From her Q&A with Vanessa Thorpe for the Guardian:

What was behind your own take on homegrown Islamist terrorism?

I was really intrigued by the way most people assume Islamic State propaganda is built on violence. Research by Charlie Winter [senior research fellow at King’s College] that I looked at shows much of it is about a sense of belonging and of state-building. It is not that I believe IS are really planning a welfare state equivalent out there, or anything like that; it is the fact this side of it has not been told. I also felt we are accused of sympathising if we say that a young man who goes out there is anything other than a monster. There is more sympathy for the girls, as if grooming can only apply to girls and be about sex.

Much of your new story pivots on secrets kept from loved ones. Is writing a secretive process for you?

The secrets kept inside this book are damaging, whereas a writer aims for their work, with which they have an intimate relationship for a while, to ultimately...[read on]

Learn about Kamila Shamsie's six favorite books inspired by literary classics.

--Marshal Zeringue