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Book Cover for: Brave New Words: The Power of Writing Now, Susheila Nasta

Brave New Words: The Power of Writing Now

Susheila Nasta

Each of the 15 essays explores the crucial place of the writer, past and present. Their work articulates 'brave new words' at the heart of battles against limitations on fundamental rights of citizenship, the closure of national borders, fake news, and an increasing reluctance to engage with critical democratic debate. The 15 contributors are: Jay Bernard; Bernardine Evaristo; Kevin Eze; Romesh Gunesekera; Eva Hoffman; James Kelman; Tabish Khair; Kei Miller; Blake Morrison; Hsiao-Hung Pai; Olumide Popoola; Shivanee Ramlochan; Bina Shah; Raja Shehadeh; Marina Warner.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Myriad Editions
  • Publish Date: Mar 31st, 2020
  • Pages: 304
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 7.70in - 5.00in - 1.00in - 0.60lb
  • EAN: 9781912408207
  • Categories: Books & ReadingSubjects & Themes - PoliticsEssays

About the Author

Nasta, Susheila: - Susheila Nasta, MBE is Editor-in-Chief of Wasafiri, the magazine of international contemporary writing she founded in 1984. A literary activist, writer and presenter, she is Professor of Contemporary and Modern Literatures at Queen Mary, University of London and Professor Emeritus at the Open University. She has published widely on postcolonial and contemporary writing. She is co-editor of the first Cambridge History of Black and Asian British Writing (forthcoming 2019).
Yasmin, Rukhsana: - Rukhsana Yasmin is Deputy Editor of Wasafiri. A former editor at Saqi Books, Profile Books, Serpent's Tail and Jacaranda, she was the winner of the 2012 Kim Scott Walwyn Prize for Women in Publishing and in 2014 was named a Bookseller Rising Star. She speaks frequently on diversity in publishing, Muslim literature and international writing.

Praise for this book

'It's about identity, citizenship, belonging, and so much more. Read it!' - Gwenda Bird, bookstagrammer

'Susheila's Brave New Words necessitates multiple readings because one time is not enough. I wasn't prepared for the magic of this book - I didn't know what I was diving into. The words wrap you in their magic and leave you in awe with their sheer candour and power. Words will save us. They will guide us. As Caryl Philips says in the introduction, "Such a world would indeed be brave'" It gets five stars from me, without any doubt. This intense and powerful title will stay with me for a long time.' - The Biblio Sara, Bookstagrammer 5/5 star review

Brave New Words explores the theme of exclusion at various levels -- it articulates not only the consequences of being expelled from countries and territorial affiliations, but from language itself. (It is) an introduction to some fine, contemporary intellectuals and writers, and to the study of universally shared experiences such as marginalisation, exile, belonging and loneliness in the 21st century. I, for one, am excited to start reading - as the writers here suggest - more widely, deeply and holistically this year.' - Aneeqa M. Wattoo, Dawn paper

'The impressive roster of contributors, including Bernardine Evaristo, James Kelman and Romesh Gunesekera, explore the role of "brave new words" in the battle against limitations in the fundamental rights of citizens, the closure of borders, fake news, and an increasing reluctance to engage with critical democratic debate. Bravo.' - The Bookseller

'Its purpose is to bring you to worlds beyond the collective imagination of a world made stale by the monotony of contemporary literature. It's a voyage into the world left purposefully unknown by the publishing industry. And it's very, very interesting to read... I am revitalised by the words of these authors.' - Amy Baxter, Bad Form

'Olumide Popoola's elegant and lyrical prose is instantly engaging. Her complex work captures the atmosphere and the tempo of the racial tension in King's Cross. She is fascinated with the spaces in between culture and form, and she is adept at moving between Nigeria, Germany and the UK.' - Jackie Kay, Guardian

'One of the writers is Bernardine Evaristo who explores what feminism is today and how many black writers have been erased by white canon. It gave me a lot to think about and many new things to read! Educate yourself!' - Bookish Trio, Bookstagrammer