Mohsin Hamid
Mohsin Hamid is a Pakistani novelist and essayist whose work often addresses themes of identity, migration, globalization, and the search for belonging. Educated at Princeton and Harvard, Hamid has written several acclaimed novels, including Moth Smoke, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and Exit West. His writing is known for its lyrical style, philosophical undertones, and innovative narrative techniques. Exit West, which uses magical realism to portray the refugee experience, brought him international recognition and critical praise. Hamid’s fiction and nonfiction alike offer a global perspective, blending personal, political, and existential concerns in compact, thought-provoking prose.
In Exit West, Mohsin Hamid blends magical realism with a poignant refugee narrative. The novel follows Nadia and Saeed, a young couple whose city is falling into civil war. As their relationship deepens, they discover mysterious doors that transport people to other parts of the world. Using these portals, they journey through countries and cultures, confronting displacement, identity, and transformation. Hamid’s lyrical prose and minimalist style give the story a dreamlike quality. Exit West is both timely and timeless—a moving exploration of love, migration, and the human longing for safety, connection, and a place to call home.