Abdulrazak Gurnah makes little concession to literary fads

When Abdulrazak Gurnah was announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, I was suddenly back at university, with my PhD supervisor suggesting I read Professor Gurnah. I was working on something set in Africa, which dealt with Muslim sensibilities, and my supervisor thought I would benefit from reading Mr Gurnah’s novels.

I listened but am sorry to say, did nothing about it. In my defence, I did have quite a lot to do, not least a doctorate and two jobs. What doesn’t sound so good is the fact that even after I passed my doctoral viva more than a year ago, I still made no move to read Professor Gurnah’s books. In truth, I had forgotten about him.

Then the Nobel committee in Oslo resurrected him in my memory. And brought him to the world’s attention. I promptly ordered two of his books on my Kindle and reserved another couple at the library. Haven’t got through them all as yet, but I can honestly say Mr Gurnah is an unusual writer. He makes little concession to literary fads a…