Slimani: Otherness Shapes My Writing

Novelist Leïla Slimani, a recipient of the prestigious Prix Goncourt, has authored a collection of five essays. These writings deeply explore the concept of otherness and its pervasive impact on her existence and creative output. Slimani scrutinizes how her experiences as an immigrant from Morocco and as a mother in Paris have indelibly shaped her perspective.

Her literary work consistently investigates the inherent tension between individuality and the innate human desire for belonging. This exploration is further fueled by her mother's profound empathy, a trait Slimani observed from her doctor mother. She views literature as a powerful conduit for fostering empathy and a crucial bulwark against dogmatic thinking.