Recognising the Stranger

An urgent and moving essay on the Palestinian struggle and the power of narrative from the Women’s Prize shortlisted author of Enter Ghost. Award-winning author Isabella Hammad delivered the Edward W. Said Lecture at Columbia University nine days before 7 October 2023.

The text of Hammad’s seminal speech and her afterword written in the early weeks of 2024 together make up a searing appraisal of the war on Palestine during what feels like a turning point in the narrative of human history. Moving and erudite, Recognising the Stranger is a brilliant melding of literary and cultural analysis in which Hammad sheds true light on the Palestinian struggle for freedom.