Guy Gunaratne Meet The Authors Of Glf 2024

I am drawn toward these themes because they’ve often generated ways to illuminate how we see of ourselves in relation to one another. As long as the rights and the terms by which national belonging is contested, not just in Britain but elsewhere, I think it’s worth writing about.

British journalist, novelist and playwright, Guy Gunaratne’s debut novel In Our Mad and Furious City was the recipient of multiple literary awards (International Dylan Thomas Prize, the Jhalak Prize in the UK and the Authors Club Award) and was shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize and longlisted for the Booker Prize as well as the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction. Their new book Mister, Mister (2023) is a picaresque tale of a young poet named Yahya Bas who explores his identity and belonging while detained in the UK.  At GLF 2024, Guy will discuss the book with Devana Senanayake and also join a panel with Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and Nayomi Munaweera on Radical Fiction.

I’ve been writing since I was very young. I knew I wanted to tell stories and live a life entirely dedicated to art and in pursuit of works that can have some effect in the world. I think I understood this as a small boy. It felt as if I was singularly moved by books, film, music in ways other people just were not. And it was, at times, terribly lonely being the only one who didn’t simply want a good job and a salary when I grew up. I knew nobody in the arts. None of my family or friends had any such aspirations. So there couldn’t have been a plan, even if I’d wanted one. I had nobody to ask a favour. I had bags of conviction, however, and thanks to my mother, who made it permissible to believe that I might be the exception but only if I worked hard. A person either has to own who they are or not, I think. 

Q: Both your novels continued to explore, in their own way, themes of national identity, political conflict and radicalisation.  Are you keen to explore more of these themes in your next work? 

The Fairway Galle Literary Festival is set to take place from 25-28 January 2024 at the Galle Fort. To purchase tickets and for the full programme visit www.galleliteraryfestival.com