Mohsin Hamid

Mohsin Hamid is an internationally acclaimed Pakistani novelist hailed for his insightful and thought-provoking works which explore issues of identity and nationality, both in a Pakistani context and in a broader sense. His novels, Moth Smoke, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, and How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, among others, have gained broad recognition, been published in 30 languages, and won numerous prestigious awards around the world.

Born in 1971 in Lahore, Pakistan, Mohsin Hamid received a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Princeton, followed by a JD at Harvard Law School. Before becoming a celebrated writer, he worked as a management consultant in New York, London and Lahore. His career working with Fortune 500 companies quickly ended, however, when his first novel, Moth Smoke, was published in 2000 to great acclaim.

Since then, throughout his career, Hamid has been considered an important voice in South Asian literature. His books have been praised for their creative and emotionally captivating story-telling, as well as their ability to capture diverse elements of the human experience and emotions, including love, longing, and social issues.

His first published novel, Moth Smoke, follows a former banker's fall from grace after becoming ensnared in a drug-based conspiracy, and has been described as a "poignant story of power, friendship, and love in contemporary Pakistan". The Reluctant Fundamentalist, his second novel, is a monologue from a young Pakistani fundamentalist turned Wall Street investment banker who reflects on the West's post-9/11 war on terror. The book gained international popularity and was translated into over 30 languages and made into a movie starring Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson.

Hamid's most recent novel, How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, tells the story of an ambitious, nameless protagonist navigating his way through an unnamed post-colonial Asian setting. The novel is a satire of self-help books, using this framework to explore the intersection of economic behavior, class, and politics in modern day Asia.

Throughout his career, Hamid has continued to use his platform to promote issues of cultural exchange and sensibility, most recently with his participation in various TED Talks and other speaking engagements about his books and his views on pressing global issues such as immigration, multiculturalism and socio-economic inequality.

In addition to promoting his own books and ideas, Mohsin Hamid has also been involved in promoting the works of other Pakistani authors. He is a founding member and current president of The Little Mag, a Lahore-based literary journal and book publishing house, and is active in initiatives encouraging emerging authors. He serves as a mentor and role model to many aspiring Pakistani writers, who see him as a visible symbol of the potential impact one person can have in the world.

Mohsin Hamid's works have been celebrated for their evocative ability to capture humanity in its diverse and complex form. His novels are often both personal and social explorations, prompting readers to reflect on the issues and emotions in their own lives and those of the society around them. In his works, but also in his life, Hamid provides an influential example of how art and literature can shape conversations around crucial issues like power, security, and belonging.