A few weeks ago, Monica Ali, a famous British novelist, came to our school and visited some selected forms from Year 13 and Year 7. If you did not have the opportunity to speak to Monica, then you can read this article and get to know more about her!
Who is Monica Ali?
Monica Ali is a famous author who was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 1967, and is the daughter of a Bangladeshi teacher and an English counsellor. In 1971, when she was 3-years-old, her family moved to England where she attended our school. She then went on to study philosophy, politics, and economics at the University of Oxford.
Why did she become an author?
Monica Ali always had a particular passion for books, viewing them as an escape from the wider world, allowing her to immerse herself in their story. She had a deep appreciation for literacy, sparking a desire to provide the same experience for others through her own writing. So when her grandfather sadly passed away, she pushed herself to take her writing seriously.
Her Visit To School!
When Monica Ali visited the school, she explained her life in Bolton and answered all of our questions. She also talked about her famous book, Brick Lane, which I will go into further detail later on in this article. She also enthusiastically encouraged us to pursue our dreams of becoming an author, if that was our desire. She also shared her secret on how to write amazing books, which is her visceral curiosity, relentless focus, and a belief that imagination is a writer’s greatest tool. Some students were fortunate enough to get Monica Ali to sign their books and get her autograph.
Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a 2003 debut novel by Monica Ali, which is about Nazneen (a young Bangladeshi woman), who moves to the east end of London after an arranged marriage to an older man. Here is a quick summary of the book:
Engaged to a very old man, Nazneen finds herself cloistered in a high rise flat in London’s East End. Dependent on her husband and with no English, she sews for a living. Her life challenges with the arrival of a young, radical man, who begins an affair with her, leading her to take more control of her fate amidst the backdrop of escalating racial and gang conflict.
Haven’t read it yet? Start now, and discover more amazing books by Monica Ali!
By Lavanya Mohanraj 7B