Award-winning novel to be published

Broken Paths, by Suhel Ahmed (English and Drama 1997), has been seeking a publisher since it won the Muslim Writers Awards for Best Unpublished Novel in 2009. It was also awarded a grant by Arts Council, England.

Broken Paths explores the British-Bengali experience from the perspectives of both first generation immigrants and the British-born generation. Suhel worked as a researcher, journalist and non-fiction editor while he wrote the story of Amina, a Muslim mother who comes to Britain from Bangladesh to raise her young son in a new country while maintaining her cultural traditions; and Samir, raised in London, who rejects his mother’s traditional lifestyle and suffocating love.

“I was keen to write a novel that explored the psyche of both first generation Bangladeshi immigrants and their more anglicised children,” said Suhel, “In particular, the tensions that might be found in those relationships. I’ve made a concerted effort to make the mother figure a central character, thereby giving her a strong presence and getting across a voice that will hopefully resonate with first generation immigrants. Parts of the book are autobiographical, so it was also a way to come to terms with my childhood.”

Suhel spent many of his early years growing up in the verdant countryside of Bangladesh. He has also written several short stories: Faith in Love was published by Hurst in its journal The Critical Muslim in 2012. His second novel, Disinherited, a dark tale about twin sisters living in a Bangladeshi village, whose lives are torn apart when one is attacked, is in progress.

To find out more about Suhel Ahmed visit www.suhelahmed.com