Jamila Rizvi is back! We have missed her, and from this week Jamila is back leading our discussion of all things books.

Chapter 1: As they so often do, Jamila and Astrid consider the harder things in life. This week, the theme is darkness, and they reflect on what they like to read and when.

Chapter 2: Jamila introduces Jaivet Ealom's 2021 memoir, 'Escape from Manus'. Jaivet is the only person known to have escaped from Manus Island, and his life experience is truly extraordinary. Despite the darkness, this is a hopeful story. Jaivet now resides in Canada, where he is a spokesperson for the Rohingya community.

Chapter 3: Astrid turns to crime fiction and considers 'I Shot the Devil' by Ruth McIver. Whilst this is very much crime fiction, it is also so much more - it is a nuanced exploration of female trauma, grief and survival.

Recommendations: Astrid recommends Rachel Cusk's 'Second Place', which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2021. Jamila returns to Amani Haydar's one-of-a-kind memoir, 'The Mother Wound'.

Join us on Thursday for an interview with literary crime writer Mark Brandi.

CHAT WITH US

Join our discussion using hashtag #AnonymousWasAWomanPod and don't forget to follow Jamila (on Instagram and Twitter) and Astrid (also on Instagram and Twitter) to continue the conversation.

This podcast is sponsored by Hachette Publishing and is brought to you by Future Women. The podcast is produced by Bad Producer Productions.

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