Between The Covers : Conversations with Writers in Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry Omar El Akkad : One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
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Feb 21, 2025 Omar El Akkad, an award-winning novelist and journalist known for "American War," dives deep into his provocative nonfiction debut, which critiques Western complicity in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He discusses his impactful transition from journalism to fiction, revealing how contemporary crises shaped his writing. The conversation addresses the moral responsibilities of writers and the complexities of language in discussing violence, exploring how liberalism often sanitizes injustice. El Akkad also critiques the narratives of the American dream, highlighting the need for authentic storytelling amidst oppression.
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Book's Origin
- Omar El Akkad's editor encouraged him to write about his feelings of disconnect from the West after the October 2023 attacks on Gaza.
- Initially, El Akkad's writing was personal and not intended for publication, but it evolved into his nonfiction book.
Language's Sacred Duty
- Madeline Tien praises El Akkad for his refusal to be silent and for upholding the sacred duty of language to bear witness.
- She expresses gratitude for his work, describing it as a living thing that gives her courage.
Writer's Duty
- El Akkad discusses the seeming absurdity of focusing on writing craft amidst real-world atrocities.
- He emphasizes the writer's duty to combat the misuse of language to obscure meaning and dehumanize.
