British Libyan writer Hisham Matar brings us a story of friendship and revolution with his new work “My Friends,” which explores the impact of political upheaval on intimate relationships.
JUANA SUMMERS, HOST: Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Hisham Matar is known for his memoir, “The Return,” which details his experiences growing up in exile in London and his journey back to Libya. His new work, “My Friends,” shifts its focus to the impact of political upheaval on personal relationships. NPR’s Bilal Qureshi delves deeper into Matar’s latest novel.
And a warning – this piece contains the sounds of gunfire.
BILAL QURESHI, BYLINE: In “My Friends,” Matar tells the story of an international student from Libya named Khaled living in London during a tumultuous time. He’s shot during a protest outside the Libyan embassy in 1984 and is marked as a dissident, unable to return home. The novel takes readers on a journey through Khaled’s experiences, friendships, and the aftermath of the 2011 Arab Spring.
Matar’s work is not just about political events but also examines the impact of these events on personal lives, delving into the deeper drama of the human heart.
Through the span of decades, generations, and revolutions, “My Friends” explores the changing dynamics of friendships and how they are impacted by larger geopolitical events.