I became a student of literature against the wishes of everyone,” Mr. Gurnah, Emeritus Professor in the University of Kent, said. The characters in his books are often seen trying to work things out in a new place, as Mr. Gurnah also explores what is it that they have left behind. The refugee or migrant, Mr. Gurnah said, has to come to terms with where he has arrived, and with where he has come from. Pointing at the situation in Africa and West Asia, he said many of the conflicts can be traced to imperial decisions. Asked about England’s changing policy towards migrants, Mr. Gurnah said that there is “profound hostility in how people are received,” and a huge desire to keep people out rather than take them in.

Source: The Hindu January 23, 2024 20:30 UTC