Podcasts about restless books prize

Notes and Links to Camille Adams' Work          CAMILLE U. ADAMS, Ph.D. was born and raised in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. She is the author of the explosive memoir How To Be Unmothered: a Trinidadian memoir, finalist in the Restless Books Prize in New Immigrant Writing 2023.    Camille is a memoirist, a poet, and a nature writer. She has been awarded Best of The Net—nonfiction 2024. She has received five Pushcart Prize nominations and three Best of the Net nominations for her memoir writing. Camille's work has also received recognition as a notable essay in Best American Essays 2022. Her writing has been long-listed in the Graywolf Creative nonfiction Prize 2022 and selected as a finalist for The 2021 Orison Anthology Award in Nonfiction.    Her other honours include an awarded fellowship as an inaugural Tin House Reading Fellow, an inaugural Granta nature writing workshop fellowship, an inaugural Anaphora Arts Italy Writing Retreat Fellowship, a McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, a Community of Writers Fellowship, A VONA scholarship, and a Roots Wounds Words Fellowship.    A Tin House Summer Workshop alum, Camille has served as a juried reader for Tin House for two consecutive years and as a moderator for two author panels. She has also received support from Kenyon Writers Workshop, Grubstreet, and others.   In addition, Camille has been an associate CNF editor at Variant Lit and an assistant memoir editor at Split Lip Magazine and at The Account. She has long taught English and creative writing, emphasising the importance of strong craft, beautiful prose, and ugly truths.   Having earned her MFA in Poetry from City College CUNY and her Ph.D. in Creative Nonfiction from FSU, Camille currently teaches creative writing and literature in New York City. She is at work on her second memoir. Buy How to Be Unmothered: A Trinidadian Memoir   Camille U. Adams' Website    Excerpt from How to Be Unmothered     At about 2:55, Camille talks about her ideal writing environments and she and Pete bond over Pete's  At about 5:00, Camille responds to Pete's question about what books and stories resonate with her students-she references Javier Zamora and Derek Walcott and Jamaica Kincaid At about 8:00, the two discuss purchasing details for How to Be Unmothered At about 9:15, Camille shares great early feedback for the memoir  At about 11:35, Camille responds to Pete's question about her early reading loves At about 14:30, Pete cites Jamaica Kincaid's masterful work and Camille shouts out George Lanning, Samuel Selvon, Paul Keyes Douglas, and other masterful Caribbean writers At about 16:50, Camille responds to Pete's questions about the “push-and-pull” of colonialist language and history in Trinidad At about 21:00, Camille highlights Daniel José Older's brilliant work as the two discuss evocative language  At about 22:25, Camille cites calypso and its performances as a keen example of the dynamic nature of language   At about 24:05, Camille and Pete discuss the book's dedication and epigraph (eek-Pete first calls it an “epitath”), with Camille sharing an insightful story on an idea's generative appearance in her head At about 28:40, Camille responds to Pete's question about the significance of her memoir's chapter titles as different trees At about 31:05, Pete and Camille set out the exposition for the memoir, especially the pivotal opening scene; Camille expounds on the long drive recounted and how it serves as a sort of cultural and historical tour of Trinidad At about 35:00, Camille talks about her  At about 36:25, Camille talks about the Trinidian term “hotfoot,” as the two discuss double standards for men and women At about 38:20, No spoilers! as Pete highlights an evocative and creative section about rum At about 40:55, Camille reflects on an “initiation” and on ideas of dominion over nature At about 44:00, Camille examines ideas of being a child and expectations and tropes around parent-child alienations At about 46:50, The two discuss an evocative series of scenes and ideas of intimacy and forced burdens At about 49:40, Camille responds to Pete's musings about the somatic sensations depicted in the book, including introducing the wise, apt saying: “there is no past tense in the body” At about 54:00, Camille describes traumatic experiences heaped on children in general and on herself, as she reflects on ideas of “property” and a lack of agency At about 58:00, Camille talks about why she can't and won't live with “unlove” At about 1:00:00, Camille discusses ideas of joy and resilience and vulnerability and “strip[ping] words of meaning and connections to political and psychological consciousness  At about 1:04:50, Camille highlights a meaningful song, The Journey” by Chris “Tambu” Herbert  At about 1:07:40, Camille teases her second book      You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!    This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.    Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 289 with Jahmal Mayfield, who writes gritty crime novels that touch on large social issues. His stellar SMOKE KINGS was inspired by Kimberly Jones' passionate viral video, “How can we win?”    This episode airs on August 26.    Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

Notes and Links to Jordan Harper's Work           Jordan Harper is the Edgar-Award winning author of THE LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA, EVERYBODY KNOWS, SHE RIDES SHOTGUN and LOVE AND OTHER WOUNDS. Born and educated in Missouri, he now lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a writer and producer for television. Buy She Rides Shotgun   Jordan Harper's Author Page for Goodreads   She Rides Shotgun Review from Kirkus Reviews   Buy Tickets for She Rides Shotgun At about 3:30, Jordan talks about wanting a bullet wound of a main character to be a visceral and realistic for the reader  At about 4:30, Pete shares a perhaps apocryphal story of a damning way that Sicilian Mafiosi would kill At about 5:20, Jordan further explains a piece of the book that explains an interesting connection to gun violence At about 6:00, Pete references Mario Puzo and his research for his Mafia writing in asking Jordan about his own research for She Rides Shotgun At about 8:25, Jordan shares interesting insights into ways to jumpstart research through using RICO files At about 10:50, Jordan describes his philosophy on realism, and gives credit to Chuck Palahnuik's approach and advice At about 13:10, Jordan specifies Slab Town in his book as an example of a possibly unrealistic place that is provided evidence of realism and describes his view on violence in his writing At about 14:40, Jordan riffs on John Wick and the “ziplessness of the violence”  At about 16:00, Pete quotes a wise writer friend about noir and horror, etc., and how they are the venues for so much important and brilliant contemporary writing; he also means to shout out Jordan's incredible recent short story, “My Savage Year” At about 18:00, Jordan talks about “A Violent Masterpiece” as a title of a future book, and its genesis, as well as connections to escapism   At about 21:20, Jordan talks about a shift in subject manner in his latest work, in a more macro-/government At about 22:55, Jordan replies to Pete asking about what it's like to see the movie version of She Rides Shotgun in the theater; he quotes Jill Ciment in describing the wonder of having your writing adapted to the big screen  At about 24:50, Jordan provides a summary of She Rides Shotgun At about 27:00, Jordan talks about the book's protagonist, Polly, and the ways in which she's been “oppressed” At about 29:00, Jordan talks about ideas of hate, oppression, intolerance, fascism, and free speech as connected to Nazism and hate At about 30:40, Pete compliments the “fish out of water” balance that Jordan uses with Polly, and Jordan responds to Pete's question about the idea of “gunfighter eyes”-attributed to Polly in the novel At about 32:40, Pete and Jordan provides a little exposition for the novel, particularly with regard to the father and daughter relationship, or lack thereof At about 33:40, Pete connects a flashback scene into the novel to a great and intense story by William Carlos Williams, “The Use of Force” At about 34:20, Jordan responds to Pete asking about what keeps Polly with her father, even when she is-especially at the beginning-scared of him/by him At about 35:40, Jordan reflects on a mindset towards pain, and how this mindset manifests in the book At about 37:40, Pete and Jordan reflect on the book's time lapses and standout flashforward and time compression At about 39:10, Jordan highlights both the book and the idea of The Lie that Tells the Truth, and an important bear makes a cameo At about 41:00, Jordan talks about "complicating the machismo” by making the bear an important part of the novel's storyline At about 43:50, Pete reflects on the bear's significance and connection to the high school world; Jordan reflects on seeing himself in Polly, and how readers' comments made him reflect  At about 46:00, Jordan recounts how a change in POV in the drafts of the book changed the book's effects At about 48:55, Pete and Jordan reflect on the traumas in Polly's short life At about 52:15, Pete lauds Jordan's epic opening to the book- he reads the part about “Crazy Craig” and Jordan responds to Pete's questions about the deified Craig and some chill-inducing lines At about 53:45, Jordan references great friend and great writer S.A. Cosby in talking about “Old Testament”/ “New Testament” writing  At about 56:10, Pete and Jordan reflect on Detective Park's “buzz” from the life of an investigator; Jordan cites ridealongs with LAPD or LASD as writing fodder  At about 59:20, Jordan talks about the nuances of creating a “complex character” and dispenses some valuable writing advice  At about 1:04:25, Jordan responds to Pete's question about what it is like to see his words acted out on the big screen in the hands of skilled actors  At about 1:06:25- Pete reminds listeners to get their tickets to see She Rides Shotgun on the big screen          You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, will be up in the next week or two at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!     This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.     Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 288 with Camille Adams, who was born and raised in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. Camille is a memoirist, a poet, and a nature writer, and the author of the explosive memoir How To Be Unmothered: a Trinidadian Memoir. The book was a finalist in the Restless Books Prize in New Immigrant Writing 2023, and it is out on August 19, the same day the episode drops.     Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.

For Episode Three of Season Five, Courtney talks to Lisa Lee Herrick and Lee Herrick. Yes, to be clear, they are married.Lisa Lee Herrick is an award-winning Hmong-American writer, illustrator, and producer. A 2021 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellow in Creative Nonfiction as well as a 2021 Finalist for the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, Lisa is currently at work on her debut memoir.Lee Herrick is a Korean-American poet and professor. He is the author of three books of poetry: Scar and Flower, Gardening Secrets of the Dead, and This Many Miles from Desire. Lee Herrick was appointed as California Poet Laureate on November 18, 2022.Today we discuss language and power, immigration and adoption, and curiosity and empathy.PWN's Debut Review is hosted by Project Write Now, a nonprofit writing studio. Learn more at projectwritenow.org.

Grace teaches the Tisch Scholars foundation course "Civic Identity, Reflection, and Action," and in the 1+4 Bridge Year Program and Civic Action Gap Semester for the Tufts First-Year Global Programs. She taught writing for many years at Tufts University and Grub Street, and is currently the Fannie Hurst Writer-in-Residence at Brandeis University. Grace is the author of THE BODY PAPERS, which won the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant writing and the Massachusetts Book Award for Nonfiction. In 2022, she was awarded fellowships from United States Artists, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Brother Thomas Fund, and in the fall, will join the English Department at Brown University where she will teach nonfiction writing. During the podcast we get to hear insight into her award winning memoir, The Body Papers where she talks about racism at school after you and your family immigrated to the US in the 70s. We get to learn about how she grew up facing a multitude of challenges and how she overcame them. Grace discusses how she went back to the Philippines with her husband and tried to reclaim a lost piece of herself. Finally giving words of advice to those who have or are experiencing racism or bullying at school or abuse at home.

How to get yourself in the right place to write, and how to use what you already have on the page to find your way forward, with authors Grace Talusan and Jessica Keener.Grace Talusan is the author of The Body Papers, which won the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing and the Massachusetts Book Award in Nonfiction. Her writing has been supported by the NEA, the Fulbright, US Artists, the Brother Thomas Fund, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. She teaches in the Nonfiction Writing Program at Brown University.  Jessica Keener's latest novel, Strangers in Budapest, was an Indie Next pick, a "best new book” selection by Entertainment Weekly, Chicago Review of Books, January Magazine, Real Simple, and a Southern Independent Bookstore Association (SIBA) bestseller. Her debut novel, Night Swim, was a national bestseller, followed by Women in Bed, her collection of award-winning stories. She has taught writing at Brown University, Boston University, Grub Street, and the Story Summit, and is currently completing a new novel. An anniversary edition of Night Swim is forthcoming in February 2023. And here are some of the things we talked about.First, Nancy Krusoe's method of “burrowing” which she discusses in her contributor's notes for her story “Landscape and Dream” in The Best American Short Stories 1994:Secondly, Douglas Bauer's The Stuff of Fiction: Advice on CraftAlso the idea from Virginia Woolf of “gathering in,” most helpful for revision.And finally, one of our marvelous webinar participants (Allison Grinberg-Funes) shared a writing software tool called “focusmate”: “It's a software where you can schedule 25 or 50 minute sessions and be on video with someone. At the beginning, you say what you're working on, then you get to work! You stay in the seat. At the end of the time period, you tell the person how much you accomplished. It's free for 3 sessions a week. More than that is $5/mo and it's honestly worth it in my opinion!” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit 7amnovelist.substack.com

In this week's episode, Kendra talks with Meron Hadero about her short story, “Street Sweep”, which recently won the AKO Caine Prize for African Writing. Plus, Didi sent along questions for Meron too! #TeamWork Thanks to our sponsors! House of CHANEL, creator of the iconic J12 sports watch. Always in motion, the J12 travels through time without ever losing its identity. Try MUBI for 30 Days at MUBI.com/ReadingWomen Check out our Patreon page to learn more about our book club and other Patreon-exclusive goodies. Follow along over on Instagram, join the discussion in our Goodreads group, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more new books and extra book reviews! Things Mentioned AKO Caine Prize for African Writing - About the Prize Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing Didi's Introduction to the AKO Caine Prize Didi's Q&A with Iryn Tushabe Didi's Q&A with Meron Hadero Didi's Q&A with Doreen Baingana Books Mentioned “Street Sweep” by Meron Hadero A Down Home Meal for These Difficult Times: Stories Meron Recommends The Other Shortlisted Cain Prize Authors What it Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah The Office of Historical Corrections: A Novella and Stories by Danielle Evans The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste Addis Ababa Noir (Akashic Noir) edited by Maaza Mengiste About the Author Meron Hadero is an Ethiopian-American who was born in Addis Ababa and came to the U.S. via Germany as a young child. She is the winner of the 2020 Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. Her short stories have been shortlisted for the 2019 Caine Prize for African Writing and published in Zyzzyva, Ploughshares, Addis Ababa Noir, McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, The Iowa Review, The Missouri Review, New England Review, Best American Short Stories, among others. Website | Twitter | Facebook CONTACT Questions? Comments? Email us hello@readingwomenpodcast.com.  SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website Music by Miki Saito with Isaac Greene Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Priyanka Champaneri presents her new book The City of Good Death, winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, in conversation with a past winner of the prize, Grace Talusan.  In their discussion of Priyanka's novel set in Varanasi, India, a tale full of memory, ritual, and the uncanny, the two authors talk about personal and cultural superstitions and the obligations and rewards of fiction. (Recorded February 23, 2021)

In today’s episode, we have two segments of #DesiCraftChat. First, there’s Priyanka Champaneri discussing her debut novel, The City of Good Death, which won the 2018 Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. We also have Dhruti Shah discussing her new book, Bear Markets and Beyond: A Bestiary of Business Terms. The episode transcript and all links will be up in a few days at http://desibooks.co. Thank you for listening. Twitter: @DesiBooks Instagram: @desi.books Website: https://desibooks.co Email: hellodesibooks@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/desibooks/support

We're celebrating Priyanka Champaneri’s debut novel, The City of Good Death. Priyanka will be in conversation with special guest Marjan Kamali, author of The Stationery Shop. Winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, The City of Good Death is an immersive family saga exploring death, rebirth, and redemption set in India’s holy city of Banaras.

Priyanaka Champaneri is the author of the novel The City of Good Death, which won the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Fiction Writing in 2018. Champaneri received her MFA in creative writing from George Mason University and has been a fellow at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts several times.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"This is why it’s so important for immigrants and feminists to tell our own stories. If we don’t, someone will tell a story about us for their own purposes." - Grace Talusan Grace Talusan was born in the Philippines and raised in New England. A graduate of Tufts University and the MFA Program in Writing at UC Irvine, she is the recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship to the Philippines and an Artist Fellowship Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. She is the Fannie Hurst Writer-in-Residence at Brandeis University for 2019–2021. The Body Papers, winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, is her first book.   Connect with Grace on Instagram, Twitter, and her website.   Grace's book recommendation: Burn It Down: Women Writing About Anger, edited by Lilly Dancyger   This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Leonetti Confetti. We donate 5% of all our sales to a different feminist organization each month. Our January charity is Welcoming America. Get $5 off your Feminist Book Club Box with the code PODCAST at feministbookclub.com/shop. -- Website: http://www.feministbookclub.com Instagram: @feministbookclubbox Twitter: @fmnstbookclub Facebook: /feministbookclubbox Goodreads: Renee // Feminist Book Club Box and Podcast Email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dINNkn   -- Logo and web design by Shatterboxx  Editing support from Phalin Oliver Original music by @iam.onyxrose Transcript for this episode: bit.ly/FBCtranscript55   Get $5 off your Feminist Book Club Box with the code PODCAST at feministbookclub.com/shop.  

Today, I’m speaking with Grace Talusan, the author of the memoir The Body Papers. Grace is a professor at Tufts University in Boston, and the Body Papers is her first book. In 2017, the yet unpublished manuscript of the Body Papers won the 2017 Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. It has been incredibly well received and has been written up by such publications as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and Nylon Magazine. Grace’s story is one about overcoming abuse and trauma and coming to terms with her immigrant and Filipino-American identity. She carefully and intentionally navigates topics that are often set aside into the realm of the unspoken and creates a space where more stories like hers can be shared. You can support our podcast by donating to the gofundme. Here's the link Our music is composed by Basim Usmani, one of the lead vocalists of the punk band "The Kominas."

Today the Creative + Cultural Podcast connects with Grace Talusan in collaboration with UCI and the Illuminations initiative. Grace Talusan was born in the Philippines and raised in New England. A graduate of Tufts University and the MFA Program in Writing at UC Irvine, she is the recipient of a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship to the Philippines and an Artist Fellowship Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Talusan teaches the Essay Incubator at GrubStreet and at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts. She is the Fannie Hurst Writer-in-Residence at Brandeis University. The Body Papers, winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, is her first book.     Creative + Cultural is an interdisciplinary podcast dedicated to creative collaboration and cultural innovation. Each series is designed to provide community leaders a platform to share stories about business, history, technology, and the arts. Building on UCI’s demonstrated excellence in the creative arts and cultural programming, Illuminations aims to ensure that all of our students, regardless of major, have serious and meaningful exposure to the creative arts. In addition, we seek to strengthen the connections between UCI and our regional arts and culture centers and institutions. Producer: Heritage Future and UCI Illuminations Host: Trevor Allred Guest: Grace Talusan Music composed and performed by Dan Reckard

Born in the Philippines, Grace Talusan is the 2017 Restless Books Prize winner for New Immigrant Writing for Nonfiction. She is the author of the memoir, The Body Papers , a courageous memoir that explores immigration, the trauma of abuse and the female body.

Temporary People (Restless Books) In the United Arab Emirates, foreign nationals constitute over 80 percent of the population. Brought in to construct and serve the towering monuments to wealth that punctuate the skylines of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this labor force is not given the option of citizenship. Some ride their luck to good fortune. Others suffer different fates. Until now, the humanitarian crisis of the so-called “guest workers” of the Gulf has barely been addressed in fiction. With his stunning, mind-altering debut novel Temporary People, Deepak Unnikrishnan delves into their histories, myths, struggles, and triumphs. Combining the linguistic invention of Salman Rushdie and the satirical vision of George Saunders, Unnikrishnan presents twenty-eight linked stories that careen from construction workers who shapeshift into luggage and escape a labor camp, to a woman who stitches back together the bodies of those who’ve fallen from buildings in progress, to a man who grows ideal workers designed to live twelve years and then perish—until they don’t, and found a rebel community in the desert. With this polyphony of voices, Unnikrishnan maps a new, unruly global English and gives personhood back to the anonymous workers of the Gulf. Praise for Temporary People "Guest workers of the United Arab Emirates embody multiple worlds and identities and long for home in a fantastical debut work of fiction, winner of the inaugural Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing.... The author's crisp, imaginative prose packs a punch, and his whimsical depiction of characters who oscillate between two lands on either side of the Arabian Sea unspools the kind of immigrant narratives that are rarely told. An enchanting, unparalleled anthem of displacement ​ and repatriation.​" —​Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Inaugural winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, this debut novel employs its own brand of magical realism to propel readers into an understanding and appreciation of the experience of foreign workers in the Arab Gulf States (and beyond). Through a series of almost 30 loosely linked sections, grouped into three parts, we are thrust into a narrative alternating between visceral realism and fantastic satire.... The alternation between satirical fantasy, depicting such things as intelligent cockroaches and evil elevators, and poignant realism, with regards to necessarily illicit sexuality, forms a contrast that gives rise to a broad critique of the plight of those known euphemistically as “guest workers.” VERDICT: This first novel challenges readers with a singular inventiveness expressed through a lyrical use of language and a laserlike focus that is at ​ once charming and terrifying. Highly recommended​.” —Henry Bankhead, ​Library Journal, Starred Review “Deepak writes brilliant stories with a fresh, passionate energy​. Every page feels as if it must have been written, as if the author had no choice. He writes about exile, immigration, deportation, security checks, rage, patience, about the homelessness of living in a foreign land, about historical events so strange that, under his hand, the events become tales, and he writes tales so precisely that they read like history. Important work. Work of the future. This man will not be stopped.”—Deb Olin Unferth, author of ​Revolution “Unnikrishnan’s debut novel shines a light on a little known world with compassion and keen insight. The Temporary People are invisible people—but Unnikrishnan brings them to us with compassion, intelligence, and heart. This is why novels matter​.” —Susan Hans O’Connor, Penguin Bookshop “From the strange Kafka-esque scenarios to the wholly original language, this book is amazing on so many different levels. Unlike anything I've ever read, Temporary People is a powerful work of short stories about foreign nationals who populate the new economy in the United Arab Emirates. With inventive language and darkly satirical plot lines, Unnikrishnan provides an important view of relentless nature of a global economy and its brutal consequences for human lives. Prepare to be wowed by the immensely talented new voice.”​ —Hilary Gustafson, Literati Bookstore “Absolutely preposterous! As a debut, author Unnikrishnan shares stories of laborers, brought to the United Arab Emirates to do menial and everyday jobs. These people have no rights, no fallback if they have problems or health issues in that land. The laborers in Temporary People are sewn back together when they fall, are abandoned in the desert if they become inconvenient, and are even grown from seeds. As a collection of short stories, this is fantastical, imaginative, funny, and even more so, scary, powerful, and ferocious​.”—Becky Milner, Vintage Books  Deepak Unnikrishnan ​was raised in the United Arab Emirates. ​He is a resident of Chicago and a lecturer at the Chicago Art Institute, and he has taught at New York University Abu Dhabi. Temporary People, his first book, was the inaugural winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing.

Deepak Unnikrishnan is a writer from Abu Dhabi and a resident of the States, who has lived in Teaneck, New Jersey, Brooklyn, New York and Chicago, Illinois. He has studied and taught at the Art Institute of Chicago and presently teaches at New York University Abu Dhabi. Temporary People, his first book, was the inaugural winner of the Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing. In this episode, Jon interviews Deepak about his new book, Temporary People. In the United Arab Emirates, foreign nationals constitute over 80 percent of the population. Brought in to construct the towering monuments to wealth that punctuate the skylines of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this labor force works without the rights of citizenship, endures miserable living conditions, and is ultimately forced to leave the country. Until now, the humanitarian crisis of the so-called “guest workers” of the Gulf has barely been addressed in fiction. With his stunning, mind-altering debut novel Temporary People, Deepak Unnikrishnan delves into their histories, myths, struggles, and triumphs. Combining the irrepressible linguistic invention of Salman Rushdie and the satirical vision of George Saunders, Unnikrishnan presents twenty-eight linked stories that careen from construction workers who shapeshift into luggage and escape a labor camp, to a woman who stitches back together the bodies of those who’ve fallen from buildings in progress, to a man who grows ideal workers designed to live twelve years and then perish—until they don’t, and found a rebel community in the desert. With this polyphony, Unnikrishnan brilliantly maps a new, unruly global English. The post Temporary People – Ep 11 with Deepak Unnikrishnan appeared first on Read Learn Live Podcast.