Episode #85: Avni Doshi on culture, motherhood, identity,...

“I’m very comfortable around people who are homesick but not sure where home is.” Avni Doshi on the impact of culture, motherhood and identity on her creative writing process, and the UAE’s nascent literary ecosystem

Hashem catches up with Avni Doshi, author of Burnt Sugar, which was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. In her book, Avni explores the themes of identity, culture and motherhood. The heartfelt discussion captures the poignant moments of personal growth that permeate her narrative, now seen through the lens of maternal experience, where vulnerability and understanding intertwine. Their conversion navigates Avni’s love of astrology, her artistic doubts, and the prospect of her book hitting the big screen.

Links

• Nadia Wassef on narrative structure, trafficking in nostalgia and life after publishing a debut memoir.
• Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of the Arabic language and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause.