Multi award-winning author, Mohsin Hamid, will speak at the University of Stirling on 8 October as part of the Booker Prize Foundation’s Universities Initiative.
Hamid, whose bestselling novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007, will read excerpts, answer questions from the audience and sign copies of his book afterwards.
Stirling is one of only a small number of universities in the UK to take part in the Initiative, whereby every first year student, regardless of course of study, is given a Man Booker Prize shortlisted title at the start of the autumn semester. In addition, students are invited to attend a free special reading event with the author and participate in a lively question and answer session.
Stirling’s first year students begin receiving their copies of Mohsin Hamid’s novel this week and will be encouraged to read it in preparation for the author’s talk on campus next month.
Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice Chancellor, says: “I am delighted Stirling is participating in the Booker Prize Foundation’s Universities Initiative. Created to introduce students to high quality, contemporary fiction, and to promote the art of literature, the prestigious scheme allows students across all disciplines to share a common experience.”
He added: “We look forward to welcoming Mohsin Hamid to campus next month; his reading session for students, staff and members of the community will allow everyone to engage in stimulating debate and discussion.”
Published in 2007, The Reluctant Fundamentalist presents the figure of a Pakistani Muslim recounting his experience of living in post-9/11 New York. With a film adaptation starring Kate Hudson and Kiefer Sutherland opening the Venice International Film Festival last month, the book has achieved enormous success and received wide critical acclaim.
The Mohsin Hamid event will take place on Monday 8 October at 6.30pm in macrobert, as part of THAT Festival. Staff and students are invited to attend the session for free - upon collecting a ticket from macrobert on the day - but the event is also open to members of the public, who can buy tickets from the box office.
Tickets and booking enquiries: macrobert box office - www.macrobert.org or telephone 01786 466 666.