Anjum Hasan: History's Angel

UNSW Centre for Ideas

Against the frenetic energy and colour of Delhi, a Muslim school teacher is caught between his love of history and contemporary India. Anjum Hasan’s work sheds light on the complexities of life, love, writing history, and how national and patriotic myths can be maliciously subverted.

Author Anjum Hasan’s latest book, History’s Angel, is a darkly funny portrait of one of Australia’s most important neighbours. Mild mannered teacher Alif feels the burden of his own time pressing down, but his wife is focused on a bigger house, his son wants to quit school and strike it rich, and his colleagues begin to question a Muslim teaching Indian history.

Hasan and fellow Indian fiction luminary, and UNSW academic, Roanna Gonsalves talk about how we understand ourselves, how we reflect on our histories, and drawing inspiration from others in a time of suspicion and indifference.

Presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas and supported by Adelaide Writers’ Week.

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