Hisham Matar explores the connection between literature and justice
Hisham Matar explores themes of friendship, exile, and the human experience. He explains that the novel follows a group of Libyan friends living in exile in London who attended a demonstration in 1984 against the Libyan dictatorship, which resulted in a tragic shooting. The story unfolds as the main character, Khaled, walks across London after bidding farewell to his close friend Hosam.
Matar delves into the complexities of friendship, noting that it is a relationship that is difficult to define by a set of rules, unlike familial or romantic relationships.He also touches on the challenges faced by immigrants and exiles who must constantly navigate acts of translation, not only in language but also in social cues and expectations for their future lives.
The author emphasises the importance of temperament in shaping individuals’ responses to political upheaval and how the novel serves as a space to explore these nuances. He also discusses the role of writing in expressing the unspeakable and finding the right language to capture complex experiences.
Matar reflects on the extraordinary nature of being human, with its inherent contradictions and the rich, complex inheritance that each person is born into. He expresses his fascination with the moment of hope descending into despair in Libya and the lessons learned from witnessing such a transition.
Throughout the conversation, Matar highlights the value of patience, close attention, and the enduring power of literature to provide companionship and insight into the human condition. He suggests that there is a connection between attention and justice, as it becomes more difficult to cause harm to someone when one pays close attention to their life and experiences.