Faber to publish new Kureishi essay and fiction collection

Faber will publish a new collection of essays and fiction by My Beautiful Laundrette author Hanif Kureishi in October. 

Alex Bowler, publisher, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights from Sarah Chalfant at the Wylie Agency. The collection will be published on 3rd October.

"Comic, dark and insightful, What Happened? is Hanif Kureishi’s new collection of essays and fiction," the publisher said. "No topic is too fringe or too mainstream for this chronicler of our modern age – through Kureishi’s characteristic boundless curiosity and wit, we are treated to a compendium of observations on culture and the way we live now.

"From social media to the ancient classics; from appraisals of David Bowie to Georges Simenon to Keith Jarrett; from ice cream to Netflix: this volume of criticism and short stories is the latest event in a unique body of literature."

Faber described What Happened? "as much about the fact of Kureishi’s catholic appetite for popular culture as his observations and insights themselves – any new book in his oeuvre represents cause for celebration".

Bowler said: "Youth, discovery, pop culture, rebellion, sex, art, race and immigrant experience are packed into this thrilling collection, which speaks to Hanif’s abiding creative interests and spirit, and will entertain and trigger new energies and alter perceptions in his readers."

Faber is Kureishi's longtime publisher and his work has been translated into 36 languages. He is professor of creative writing at Kingston University.  

A stage adaptation of My Beautiful Laundrette (Faber), with music composed by Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe of Pet Shop Boys, will open on 20th September and tour Leicester, Cheltenham, Leeds, Coventry and Birmingham.