Debut author Dr Nussaibah Younis discusses her novel Fundamentally with Radio 4 presenter Harriett Gilbert. Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025, the novel is a razor sharp comedy about love, family, religion and radicalism. The story focuses on Nadia, an academic at odds with her mother and her Muslim faith, who moves to Iraq to work with the UN. Tasked with rehabilitating ISIS brides, Nadia is quickly caught up in the bureaucracy of international aid and finds many of her assumptions are challenged. Written with biting humour, the book discusses belief and faith, radicalism and racism, and alienation and friendship.

Debut Author Event