Shattered

Shattered, a memoir by Hanif Kureishi, renowned for his work "The Buddha of Suburbia," has been shortlisted for the James Tait Black Biography Award 2025. The book details the life-altering accident that left Kureishi paralyzed. As Lynn Barber of The Spectator eloquently puts it, this is one of those rare occasions where 'inspirational' truly fits. Kureishi recounts the harrowing experience of watching football one moment and finding himself paralyzed the next, a drastic change in his life that took place on Boxing Day 2022. Shattered is a compelling narrative that takes readers on his journey through five hospitals over the course of a year, as he navigates from deep despair to newfound hope and courage. It's a raw and unexpectedly humorous look into his challenges and resilience.Reviewers have praised the memoir for its authenticity and humor: iNews calls it 'incredible' and 'remarkably funny', while the Independent describes it as a 'masterpiece of British stoicism'. The Guardian highlights Kureishi’s distinctive voice and spirited humor, noting how he manages to find meaning within turmoil. Published by Penguin Books Ltd, this 2025 release, presented in a paperback edition of 336 pages, portrays an intimate and uplifting journey powered by courage and determination. Its ISBN is 9781405959759.