Summer #RivetingReads: Lucy Popescu recommends WHAT WE OWE by Golnaz Hasemzadeh Bonde

Bonde was born in Iran but fled with her parents to Sweden as a young child. In this novel, What We Owe (published 5 July), translated by Elizabeth Clark Wessell, one woman rages at the past injustices that led to her exile. It is a devastating portrait of ruined lives, survivor’s guilt and the longing for home.

Recommended by Lucy Popescu

WHAT WE OWE

Written by Golnaz Hasemzadeh Bonde

Published by Little Brown (2018)

Lucy Popescu reviews books for various publications including the Financial Times, TLS and New Humanist. Her anthology, A Country to Call Home, focusing on the experiences of young refugees was published in June 2018. Her other publications include A Country of Refuge, The Good Tourist and Another Sky. She is chair of the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award. www.LucyPopescu.com / Twitter: @Lucyjpop