In this engaging conversation, Amal El-Mohtar discusses her debut novel 'The River Has Roots,' exploring its personal significance, the themes of sisterhood, and the intricacies of world-building in fantasy literature. She delves into the differences between genres, particularly fantasy and science fiction, and explains the concepts of murder ballads and riddle songs relating to her characters. The discussion also highlights the unique character of Rin, who embodies non-binary identity within the narrative and concludes with a captivating reading from the book.
Amal El-Mohtar discusses her writing process, the influence of her cultural background on her work, and the lyrical style that characterizes her storytelling. She shares insights into the artistic elements of her book, including the cover design and illustrations, and the unique experience of creating the audiobook with added musical elements where she sings with her sister. El-Mohtar also talks about her upcoming book tour and the excitement of connecting with fans.
Tour schedule:
https://us.macmillan.com/tours/amal-el-mohtar-the-river-has-roots/
Reviving the folk songs of Palestinian women:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/discover/dont-leave-songs-palestinian-women
Visit Amal’s website:
https://amalelmohtar.com/
