‘Sleep thief is what the interrogator called me. I’ll never forget that. I would steal a few seconds of sleep so I could remain steadfast before them. The name stuck; I even dreamt about it, the same dream, night after night. I woke up not knowing what to do and drenched in sweat.’
The experimental first novel from International Booker-Prize longlisted Palestinian author Ibtisam Azem, The Sleep Thief follows the life of Gharib (“the Stranger”) Haifawi as he comes of age, is drawn into resistance, makes friends, meets lovers, pushes back against traditional values, longs to be free of the labels and expectations that burden him, rails against the commodification of suffering, and dreams of a Palestinian identity that will transcend sorrow.
On the 9th October, from 18:00 – 20:00, we are delighted to welcome Ibtisam Azem to bookhaus in Bristol, where she will be in conversation with Sabrin Hasbun. Tickets cost £7 and include a glass of wine or soft drink and £2 off the book. Presented by bookhaus.