Laila Lalami is a highly acclaimed author and essayist, born in Rabat, Morocco and educated in Morocco, Great Britain, and the United States. She has established a prominent literary career, marked by numerous awards and accolades for her written works.
Lalami has written four novels, including "The Moor's Account," which won the American Book Award, the Arab-American Book Award, the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Another notable work, "The Other Americans," was a national bestseller and a finalist for the National Book Award in Fiction. Her novels demonstrate her ability to delve into diverse subjects and narratives, showcasing her versatility as a writer.
In addition to her fiction works, Lalami is also a prolific essayist and opinion writer, with her pieces appearing in esteemed publications such as the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, The Nation, the Guardian, and the New York Times. She has been recognized for her insightful and thought-provoking perspectives on various topics.
Throughout her career, Lalami has received several prestigious fellowships, including a British Council Fellowship, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. These accolades speak to her talent and dedication as a writer. Currently, she is a professor of creative writing at the University of California at Riverside, where she shares her knowledge and passion for writing with students. Her latest book, a work of nonfiction titled "Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America," was published in September 2020 by Pantheon.