We chat with author Ream Shukairy about her latest novel Six Truths and a Lie, which is a timely and harrowing examination of America’s justice system and follows six Muslim teens who are falsely accused of a deadly attack.
Hi, Ream! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a Syrian American author who mostly writes about Muslim characters in their various forms and problems, especially first generation and second generation. Aside from writing, I love playing volleyball, traveling, and I thrive off the challenge of learning new languages. I’m currently learning Japanese more formally!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I first started writing in high school. I wrote fantasy or dystopian since most contemporaries that I’d read at the time didn’t center Arab Muslim characters so I couldn’t envision writing a book that centered my experience without hiding it behind a fantasy or dystopian backdrop. I found my love for writing contemporary Muslim stories on a trip abroad when I wanted to start telling my unapologetically Syrian Arab Muslim story. Writing my debut novel solidified my love for getting out our stories and writing contemporary.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: A Series of Unfortunate Events
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Hunger Games
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Pachinko
Your latest novel, Six Truths and a Lie, is out March 12th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Faith, survival, injustice, freedom, community.
What can readers expect?
This novel will challenge your prejudice by presenting you with six alternating points of view, unreliable narrators, and some not so “likeable” characters. I find it’s an interesting experiment for readers. because if you go into this novel without checking your bias, you might find yourself feeling a certain way toward the characters, feeling like their situation is unbelievable or the characters unrelatable. I hope by the end of the story every reader feels a shift in their
Where did the inspiration for Six Truths and a Lie come from?
I had the idea for this novel for a while, general inspiration from my life growing up in America as a visible Muslim. I gained the courage to write this multiple POV novel after going to a Black Lives Matter protest. Wanting to contribute to the narrative and to provide the perspective of Muslims under surveillance in America for the last forever.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing all the characters, but I really loved writing Qays, the Palestinian American soccer player, his story and character arc. It was fun to write all of them: Zamzam’s growth, Sabra’s antics, Abdullahi’s compassion, Nasreen’s internal struggle, and Muzhda’s stories. I also loved writing a book based in Los Angeles because as a Southern Californian I have so much love for this setting. It was great bring nuance and commentary about the diverse Muslim community here.
This is your second novel! Were there any key lessons learned between writing the two?
My debut was written in two points of view and is more character driven, so I learned a lot about pacing, plot and multi-POV books. This novel was exploration of writing unreliable narrators and characters that had aspects I related to as an author but also weren’t as personal to me as my debut. While I wrote a book with more experience and understanding of craft, I feel every book I write is a lonelier endeavor. Less time to write means less critique partners and beta readers and less of a community that helped bring my debut to the world.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a few projects! I’d love to be a part of an anthology and work with other great Muslim or Arab authors. I’d also love exploring different settings like something set in Syria or back to my debut novel’s universe.
Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
I’m looking forward to Hope Ablaze by Sarah Mughal about a Muslim teen in post 9/11 America. I also can’t wait Shannon C.F. Roger’s Eighteen Roses in July and Aamna Qureshi’s If I Loved You Less are also up there for me!
