“I find that the places and people I write about are interesting to me because I am familiar [with them] And I know about it. I don’t rub shoulders with heroes, but I rub shoulders with people who go about their lives knowing and coping.
Through novels such as “Paradise”, “By the Sea” and “Desertion”, the author focuses on ordinary people and how they go about their lives.
“It’s not a big stress,” he said. “In fact, for me writing about heroes would be a bigger stress than writing about ordinary people. Ultimately it is desired to say – ‘Let’s not neglect these little lives’.
The author says that he admires the energy of these people and the way in which all human beings give hope.
“There’s a resourcefulness with which they face whatever they encounter in life. I think it’s one of the few things I can admire about human beings.
What is commendable, he said, is that people connect and face the traumas they face.
Gurnah says he is also very clear about why he is writing and who he represents through his work.