Q&A with Tawseef Khan, author of Determination
The author of Determination and Muslim, Actually talks his debut novel, his mum's biriyani and the perfect day out in Manchester
Welcome back to ‘Eyb, my newsletter in which I write frankly about topics that as a young Arab woman people would tell me were ‘eyb or shameful to talk about openly. I also write about current affairs affecting girls, women and marginalised communities and share my latest work.
In this special ‘Eyb edition I interview my dear friend and fellow author Tawseef Khan, whose debut novel, Determination, I’ve been recently raving about. I also loved his first non-fiction book, Muslim, Actually, in which he breaks down the most common Western stereotypes about Islam.
Stay tuned for the details of a book giveaway at the end of this newsletter!
With the recent far-right riots in the UK, Tawseef’s novel Determination is scarily timely. The book centres around Manchester-based immigration solicitor Jamila Shah and the tales of her employees and clients who are seeking asylum. If there’s one thing I took away from Determination it is that the British asylum system is cruel and the Home Office does not make it easy to be granted asylum at all. This idea that the far right have that immigrants have it easy could not be further from the truth.
How much would you say you relate to your protagonist Jamila Shah, being an immigration solicitor yourself?
I was writing from a pretty personal perspective when I wrote about the pressures of the job, the high price of failure, the growing demonisation of immigration solicitors as well as immigrants themselves. And, of course, when there's family involved, that pressure takes on a totally different dimension! I feel all of those things sometimes, and have often thought about why I do the job - although the writing of the book pushed me to think about that more.
I have to also say though, that Jamila is not me! We have quite different trajectories in life, and I've never been in her shoes where I'm in charge of an entire office! And also, the gendered dimension of Jamila's story is hugely important, and that's not one I experience to quite the same degree either. I've never been proposed to by a client! I think when you're writing a character that is close to you in experience, you have to do what is necessary to bring them to life and not worry about readers making comparisons - so we share some life experiences, but we're different people, I think!
Who were your favourite characters to write?
Nazish, because of her DGAF attitude. And because she always has her own unique take on things. She's completely her own person and unlike anybody else in the book. And I love that beneath her strength and smarts, she has this intense vulnerability.
Which writers inspire your own writing?
I have a thing for Irish writing - the small, domestic, family-oriented dramas perfected by the likes of Colm Toibin, Anne Enright, William Trevor etc. I'm super interested in domestic, family dynamics (they're the things that shape us most, after all) and what goes on in the home is deeply political too.
And then, I love short story writers like Yiyun Li, Elizabeth Strout, Alice Munro (I'm aware of the terrible news that came out about her daughter). I love the compression of short stories, the need not to resolve them at the end, the way you can explore a person's entire history in 5000 words.
Who are your South Asian literary heroes?
Arundhati Roy, since she also switches between fiction and non-fiction, and all her work is unashamedly political, and so is mine (I hope!) I remember reading 'The God of Small Things' in my twenties and being so blown away by it. I decided to re-read it a couple of years ago, while writing Determination, and obviously, it holds up. But I also found it so instructive; it was helpful to think about the book on a craft level, and what it did well - playing with time and language, presenting these vibrant, complicated characters, not shying away from the ugly.
The polyphonic nature of my book - the idea that everybody should get to tell their own story on their own terms - is inspired by Daniyal Mueenuddin's 'In Other Rooms, Other Wonders'. I think he's a pretty underrated writer tbh, I guess because he's only published one book so far! But I guess I also relate to his personal story on some level. After working as a lawyer and a writer, he ended up returning to Pakistan to manage the family farm!
And of course I love Kamila Shamsie for the way she deals with the War on Terror and British Muslim identity in 'Home Fire' and Niven Govinden because I think he's a true artist. 'Diary of a Film' is genius.
If you could spend the day in Manchester with one author (living or dead) who would it be and where would you take them?
Meeting new writers is scary, so I'd probably just take my mentor Leone Ross (who I don't get to see very much) round the city. We'd maybe have breakfast at Pollen, go walking around Castlefield or visit some sort of gallery, have Ramen for lunch, watch an arty, pretentious film (my favourite!) at Home, then have dinner at somewhere like Exhibition, or in Rusholme - then tea and relaxation at home!
Okay Tawseef, it’s time for the quick-fire round!
Abida Parveen or Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan?
Abida is everything to me. Non-binary icon!
Karak chai or coffee?
Can I have a karak coffee?
Dishoom or the local curry house?
If the local curry house is a traditional Pakistani curry house in Levenshulme or Whitechapel or the South Indian in Withington or Tooting, or a Gujarati place in Ashton or Wembley, and not some 80s curry house with beer, chips and tikka masala, then I'd go local.
Manchester or London?
London to visit, get my culture fix and leave. Manchester is so much more liveable imho.
Which decade of SRK - ‘90s, ‘00s or ‘10s?
I'm a 90s Bollywood kid - I stopped paying attention once all the films became about rich NRIs.
What 3 music albums would you take to a desert island (with a solar powered CD player LOL)?
Oh, this is difficult! 1. Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman, 2. Madonna - Like a Prayer, 3. Something that I've not listened to yet, but want to, so there was at least some novelty and growth while I was stuck on the island twiddling my thumbs!
What’s your death row meal?
Anything my mum makes - her biryani is amazing, her fenugreek and chicken is amazing, her lamb and bitter gourd is amazing. I could go for Thai Michelin starred meals or a Sichuanese banquet, but a meal suffused with love and memories, that would be the one, no?
It’s giveaway time! Tawseef and I are giving away one copy of Determination, personally signed by him, to one lucky winner! Entry for the UK and Ireland only. To enter, you’ll need to do the following:
Subscribe to this newsletter!
Follow Tawseef on Twitter/X @itsmetawseef and me @underyourabaya
Comment “Done” either in the comments section here or on Twitter/X
Entry ends on Wednesday 28th August 2024 at 11:59pm and we will announce the winner both here and on Twitter on Thursday 29th August 2024. You must be happy to supply me with your full name and postal address.