[chottala.com] A Bangladeshi-born author releases a breakthrough novel about her homeland

Artists to Watch: Books

A Bangladeshi-born author releases a breakthrough novel about her homeland

By ROBERT J. HUGHES
January 5, 2008; Page W2

Artists to Watch: Books
Wall Street Journal - Jan 4, 2008
 

The new book "A Golden Age," by Tahmima Anam, is one of the first novels written in English about the 1971 civil war that eventually created Bangladesh. It is also the debut of writer Tahmima Anam, who was born in Bangladesh, but grew up in New York City and Bangkok and now lives in London.

Ms. Anam attended college in the U.S. and received her doctorate in anthropology at Harvard. "A Golden Age" arose out of research Ms. Anam conducted in her native country, when she interviewed people who had been involved in the war, including student activists, guerilla fighters, mothers and politicians. "By the time I finished the research, I knew that I should write a novel about the war," Ms. Anam says. Initially, she had thought of attempting an epic with sweeping battle scenes, but ended up writing an intimate story about a young widow, Rehana Haque, who is caught up in the chaos of the war and strives to protect her children. Ms. Anam incorporated some of her research, but the main character of Rehana is based on her own grandmother, who is now in her early 80s.

"A Golden Age," says Ms. Anam, is the first of a trilogy, and she is already at work on the next novel, which will be set during the partition of India during 1947 and concern Rahan's father. The third novel is likely to focus on contemporary Bangladesh. "A Golden Age" was published last year in Britain and received glowing notices there. The Independent called it "a powerful debut novel."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119948499277168567.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

Note:

Tahmima's grandfather, Abul Mansur Ahmed, was one of the foremost satirists of the Bangla language and is still widely read on both sides of the border. Tahmima is also the elder daughter of Mahfuz Anam, editor of The Daily Star.

Wall Street Journal Artists to Watch: Books Wall Street Journal - Jan 4, 2008 By ROBERT J. HUGHES The new book "A Golden Age," by Tahmima Anam, is one of the first novels written in English about the 1971 civil war that eventually ...   Book review: The awesome power of a mother's love Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription), MN - Jan 4, 2008 In her debut novel, "A Golden Age," Tahmima Anam sets a meditation on the lopsided nature of this bond inside the cyclone of events that led to the ...   For the record Boston Globe, United States - 20 hours ago ... in Monday's Living/Arts section about new books for 2008 erroneously stated that "A Golden Age" by Tahmima Anam won the 2007 Guardian First Book Award. ...   'A Golden Age': Great contribution: Reviewed by Mohammad Shahidul ... The New Nation, Bangladesh - Dec 27, 2007 We wish to celebrate our New Year with the Award. Amen from Mosque, Church, Temple and Pagoda! Best wishes to Tahmima Anam.

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