(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON- November 29, 2022): Omar El Akkad shot to fame as a writer of fiction with American War (2017). His debut novel followed an impressive career as a staff reporter for The Globe and Mail. It became an international bestseller. His second novel, What Strange Paradise (2021) was equally successful, winning the Scotiabank Giller Prize and making the CBC’s Canada Reads shortlist this year. 

It is this moving second novel that Omar El Akkad will be discussing during his virtual visit with Algoma University students on Tuesday, November 29 at 5 pm. What Strange Paradise opens with the haunting image of a child lying shipwrecked on the shore. Inspired by Akkad’s journalism covering the Syrian refugee crisis, the novel explores the dreams for a safer future that lead a group of refugees to board an unsafe vessel and head for an America they never reach. 

The event is hosted by Algoma University students and is open and free for the public. The evening includes readings and CBC-style 1-minute defences of What Strange Paradise by Algoma University students. These provide information and context to enable visitors to enjoy this evening even if they have not yet read this novel. All welcome.

VIRTUAL EVENT: Join us at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, virtually via Google Meet.

For the access link, email [email protected]       

Algoma Reads is a community reading project that invites our community to read the CBC Canada Reads shortlisted books along with Algoma University students and the books’ authors. Author visits have continued to be virtual this year as COVID-19 still circulates.

Follow Algoma Reads on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Scotiabank Giller Prize

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