Jamal Mahjoub is a Sudanese-British author, born in London in 1960, who has made a significant impact in the literary world. He was raised in Sudan and attended Comboni College before receiving a grant from Atlantic College. Mahjoub pursued his studies in geology at the University of Sheffield, where he began publishing his literary texts in magazines. His diverse background and experiences have greatly influenced his writing, which often explores the lives of people from different backgrounds and cultures living together.
Mahjoub's work is known for its historical and scientific elements, as well as its incorporation of stories, superstitions, and discussions on societal conditions. His novel "In the Hour of Signs" (1996) tells the story of the British conquest of Sudan from the perspective of farmers, shepherds, and soldiers. Another notable work, "The Carrier" (1998), follows the journey of Rashid al-Kenzy, a young scholar falsely accused of murder, as he seeks an optical device that would pave the way for the heliocentric view of the world. This novel reflects Mahjoub's fascination with the lack of a Renaissance-like movement in the Islamic world.
In addition to his novels, Mahjoub has written several award-winning pieces, including "Travelling with Djinns" (2003), for which he received the Prix d’Astrobale, and "Nubian Indigo" (2006), set during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. His writing also includes present-day London in "The Drift Latitudes" (2007), where a successful architect explores her immigrant background following letters from her half-sister in Trinidad. Mahjoub's unique perspective and storytelling have earned him recognition and admiration in the literary community.