While his story is fictionalized, it is certainly representative of the true dangers faced by displaced people. In What Strange Paradise, the main character, Amir, is caught in the throes of the Mediterranean refugee crisis. To be in this position, where a book I thought might never be published in the first place is now being mentioned alongside so many of my literary heroes on the Giller longlist and shortlist, isn’t something I’ve been able to fully process yet. Writing is a pretty lonely existence, and you never really know when you’re putting the book together if it’ll have any resonance at all. It’s a surreal thing, an honour I never thought about except in the abstract. The book marks El Akkad’s second major fiction release - following his lauded 2017 debut American War - and centres on a young Syrian boy’s survival amidst the global refugee crisis.Įl Akkad spoke to the Gazette about his book and its reception, about his experiences of learning and mentorship while a student at Queen’s, and about his upcoming role as 2022 Writer in Residence with the English Department’s Creative Writing program.Ĭongratulations on being awarded this year’s Scotiabank Giller Prize for your book What Strange Paradise! How does it feel to have your work recognized in this way? (Photo by: Anna Mehler Paperny)Įarlier this month, Egyptian-Canadian author and Queen’s alumnus Omar El Akkad was awarded the coveted Scotiabank Giller Prize for his latest book What Strange Paradise. Giller Prize-winning author Omar El Akkad.
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