Date of Birth: November 28, 1970
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Hisham Matar is a renowned Libyan-American writer, known for his deeply evocative and personal novels, essays, and memoirs. Born in New York City to Libyan parents, Matar’s early years were marked by frequent relocations due to his father’s diplomatic career. He spent much of his youth in Tripoli, Cairo, and London, which profoundly influenced his literary voice. Matar’s debut novel, “In the Country of Men,” was published in 2006 and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. The novel draws heavily from Matar’s personal experiences and Libya’s tumultuous political landscape. His second novel, “Anatomy of a Disappearance,” continued to explore themes of loss, exile, and the search for identity. However, it was his memoir, “The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between,” that garnered the most critical acclaim, winning the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography. In this poignant work, Matar chronicles his journey back to Libya to uncover the fate of his father, who was abducted by the Qaddafi regime. Matar’s writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and emotional depth, often reflecting his personal history and the broader political context of Libya. He currently resides in London, where he continues to write and advocate for human rights.
5 Interesting Facts about Hisham Matar
1. Hisham Matar’s father, Jaballa Matar, was a prominent Libyan political dissident who was kidnapped by the Qaddafi regime in 1990, an event that profoundly influenced Hisham’s writing.
2. “In the Country of Men” has been translated into 22 languages and received numerous international awards.
3. Matar’s memoir, “The Return,” not only won the Pulitzer Prize but also the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award and the Rathbones Folio Prize.
4. Hisham Matar is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
5. He has taught at Barnard College, Columbia University, and is currently an Associate Professor at Barnard College.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hisham Matar
1. “When you lose a parent, it’s like the earth shifts, and you’re not standing where you were.”
2. “Memory is the only relation we can have with the past.”
3. “Exile is not a choice; it is a condition.”
4. “The act of writing is an act of hope.”
5. “In the face of injustice, the only response is solidarity.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Hisham Matar is estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Hisham Matar has one son, born in 2013. He often speaks about the influence of fatherhood on his life and work.
Relevant Links
1. [Hisham Matar’s Official Website](https://www.hishammatar.com
2. [Pulitzer Prize Biography of Hisham Matar](https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/hisham-matar
5. [Barnard College Faculty Page](https://barnard.edu/profiles/hisham-matar
