Author Event - Kamila Shamsie
Back in April, I was able to attend an event at Labyrinth Books in Princeton, New Jersey, highlighting author Kamila Shamsie and her book Home Fire.
If you haven't heard about this book yet, here is the synopsis from the publisher:
"Isma is free. After years of watching out for her younger siblings in the wake of their mother’s death, she’s accepted an invitation from a mentor in America that allows her to resume a dream long deferred. But she can’t stop worrying about Aneeka, her beautiful, headstrong sister back in London, or their brother, Parvaiz, who’s disappeared in pursuit of his own dream, to prove himself to the dark legacy of the jihadist father he never knew. When he resurfaces half a globe away, Isma’s worst fears are confirmed.
Then Eamonn enters the sisters’ lives. Son of a powerful political figure, he has his own birthright to live up to—or defy. Is he to be a chance at love? The means of Parvaiz’s salvation? Suddenly, two families’ fates are inextricably, devastatingly entwined, in this searing novel that asks: What sacrifices will we make in the name of love?"
If you haven't heard about this book yet, here is the synopsis from the publisher:
"Isma is free. After years of watching out for her younger siblings in the wake of their mother’s death, she’s accepted an invitation from a mentor in America that allows her to resume a dream long deferred. But she can’t stop worrying about Aneeka, her beautiful, headstrong sister back in London, or their brother, Parvaiz, who’s disappeared in pursuit of his own dream, to prove himself to the dark legacy of the jihadist father he never knew. When he resurfaces half a globe away, Isma’s worst fears are confirmed.
Then Eamonn enters the sisters’ lives. Son of a powerful political figure, he has his own birthright to live up to—or defy. Is he to be a chance at love? The means of Parvaiz’s salvation? Suddenly, two families’ fates are inextricably, devastatingly entwined, in this searing novel that asks: What sacrifices will we make in the name of love?"
The book is supposed to be a modern retelling of Antigone, which I read in school but don't remember the finer details of. I don't think it's necessary to familiar with it to enjoy Home Fire. If you are, you might enjoy finding the parallels between the two books.
Home Fire starts out very slowly. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make it all the way through because there really was not much happening. I was quickly proven wrong, as each chapter progressively gives the reader more action and tension.
One aspect I really enjoyed about this book was the author's use of multiple narrators. Each section of the book is told from the perspective of each of the main characters. I can't think of the last time that I encountered something like this and I really applaud this unique move by Shamsie.
Home Fire deals with some pretty heavy themes - love, loss, and the effect of modern radical movements. These subjects, especially the last one, are difficult for most of us to talk about, let alone write about. The author navigates all of these in a masterful way; she remains able to discuss all of these topics without moving into melodramatic territory.
I highly recommend this book and rate it 4 out of 5 stars. It was definitely not what I anticipated, but it is a beautiful, emotional read that you will be not be ready to let go off. If you are interested, please consider using my link to purchase it from Amazon and help support Blonde Bibliotaph.
Now, onto the event!
As I said, this event was hosted by Labyrinth Books, which, for everyone who has not been lucky enough to visit, is a pretty awesome bookstore. While the main floor of the store is where most of the book-selling goes on, there is also a basement that houses Princeton University's text books, foreign language, science and math books. It's also home to the event space.
From their schedule, it looks like Labyrinth hosts 2-3 events a month, but this is the first time I had the opportunity to attend.
At the front of the room, there is a small, raised platform, and then about 30 chairs for all the guests. The stars of the show were, of course, Kamila Shamsie, and Michael Wood, who is a Professor Emeritus of English at Princeton University, as well as an author and literary critic.
The event starts with Shamsie reading aloud the first chapter of Home Fire. If you are like me and have never experienced it before, it is truly a magical and surreal experience to hear the author reading the words you previously read and enjoyed to you. In a way, it almost felt like the book was coming to life right before my eyes.
Shamsie and Wood went over the basics of the book - the plot, characters, use of multiple narrators, and her skillful use of inserting comedy into heavy subjects.
Next, we learned a little more about the author, as she described to us her childhood growing up in Pakistan. She has been writing since she was about 8 years old, and was such a voracious reader that at times she would read an entire book every day! Shamsie also shared with us that her mother and great-aunt are both published authors. They advised her that, "Whatever happens, don't stop writing because it's a muscle, and if you stop using it, you'll lose it."
Shamsie also shared with us that Home Fire was born from a London theater owner asking her to write an adaptation of a Greek classic as a play. That ended up not working out, as Shamsie's reworking of Antigone became the novel Home Fire, rather than the play.
The most interesting discussion was about whether or not one should be familiar with Antigone before reading Home Fire. The author felt that while it's great if people can spot the elements of the Greek classic, no one should feel discouraged from reading Home Fire, or even let Antigone color their reading experience too heavily.
And now, for the most exciting portion of the night - I got to meet the author! (!!!!!!!!!!)
Ms. Shamsie could not have been more lovely! Not only is she well-spoken and intelligent, she was extremely nice to me when I embarrassed myself by running up to her and gushing about how I'd never been to a book reading, or met a real-life author before, and several other things I'm sure I blacked out to keep from feeling like an idiot.
For the first time ever, I can say that I am the proud owner of signed copy of a fabulous book!
The reading of Home Fire at Labyrinth Books was a really wonderful experience and hopefully I will be able to attend more of their events in the future.
From their schedule, it looks like Labyrinth hosts 2-3 events a month, but this is the first time I had the opportunity to attend.
At the front of the room, there is a small, raised platform, and then about 30 chairs for all the guests. The stars of the show were, of course, Kamila Shamsie, and Michael Wood, who is a Professor Emeritus of English at Princeton University, as well as an author and literary critic.
The event starts with Shamsie reading aloud the first chapter of Home Fire. If you are like me and have never experienced it before, it is truly a magical and surreal experience to hear the author reading the words you previously read and enjoyed to you. In a way, it almost felt like the book was coming to life right before my eyes.
Shamsie and Wood went over the basics of the book - the plot, characters, use of multiple narrators, and her skillful use of inserting comedy into heavy subjects.
Next, we learned a little more about the author, as she described to us her childhood growing up in Pakistan. She has been writing since she was about 8 years old, and was such a voracious reader that at times she would read an entire book every day! Shamsie also shared with us that her mother and great-aunt are both published authors. They advised her that, "Whatever happens, don't stop writing because it's a muscle, and if you stop using it, you'll lose it."
Shamsie also shared with us that Home Fire was born from a London theater owner asking her to write an adaptation of a Greek classic as a play. That ended up not working out, as Shamsie's reworking of Antigone became the novel Home Fire, rather than the play.
The most interesting discussion was about whether or not one should be familiar with Antigone before reading Home Fire. The author felt that while it's great if people can spot the elements of the Greek classic, no one should feel discouraged from reading Home Fire, or even let Antigone color their reading experience too heavily.
And now, for the most exciting portion of the night - I got to meet the author! (!!!!!!!!!!)
Ms. Shamsie could not have been more lovely! Not only is she well-spoken and intelligent, she was extremely nice to me when I embarrassed myself by running up to her and gushing about how I'd never been to a book reading, or met a real-life author before, and several other things I'm sure I blacked out to keep from feeling like an idiot.
For the first time ever, I can say that I am the proud owner of signed copy of a fabulous book!
The reading of Home Fire at Labyrinth Books was a really wonderful experience and hopefully I will be able to attend more of their events in the future.
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