Hanif Kureishi, the acclaimed British author and playwright known for works such as *The Buddha of Suburbia* and *My Beautiful Laundrette*, has opened up about his creative process and personal challenges following a devastating accident in late 2022 that left him tetraplegic. In a conversation at a well-known London restaurant, Kureishi discussed his ongoing work, his experience of disability, and his continued commitment to writing despite new physical limitations.

Kureishi, 71, who has published more than 20 plays and screenplays, eight novels and novellas, along with numerous collections of essays and non-fiction, reflected on the shift in his literary output since his accident. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to use his hands, he has relied on collaboration with his son Carlo to assist with writing, largely composed through dictation and joint editing. Their recent book *Shattered* was developed during his time in hospital and serves as a candid account of the immediate aftermath of his injury.

“The writing was an attempt to reconstitute myself as a person, as opposed to a body that was severely damaged and would never recover,” Kureishi said, describing the process of reclaiming his identity in the face of profound loss. He acknowledged that his style has become more direct and less playful but retained a distinct voice and humor, qualities that have marked his work throughout his career.

Kureishi also emphasized the emotional toll of disability, including feelings of rage and frustration over his loss of independence. He shared how mundane activities, such as leaving the house, have become “horrific” due to public perceptions and the physical challenges he encounters. “There’s a lot of rage about your lack of agency, your impotence, your failure all the time,” he said. Yet he also highlighted the kindness and generosity he has received from caregivers and others.

The author touched on the impact of the accident on his personal life, revealing that he married his wife Isabella at the same London restaurant just a year before his fall. The occasion was notably marked by the attendance of Elton John, who later reached out to discuss Kureishi’s resilience and creativity in the face of health challenges.

Although Kureishi admitted that the urge to write had diminished before his accident, he said it returned with renewed force as he confronted his new reality. His forthcoming memoir-essay collection *Are You with Me Now?*, set for publication in early 2025, explores the ongoing process of adaptation and survival following trauma. Kureishi described it as “the long work of carrying on,” following the initial shock covered in *Shattered*.

Reflecting on his earlier career, Kureishi noted the influence of his upbringing in suburban London and his experiences with racial and class tensions, which shaped much of his fiction. His debut novel *The Buddha of Suburbia* portrayed a vibrant, multicultural city and remains a seminal work in British literature.

Despite the challenges of living with a severe disability, Kureishi remains engaged in his work and plans to continue writing memoir and essay forms rather than fiction. He values the immediacy and collaborative nature of his current process, describing it as “writing from the trenches,” a direct record of his lived experience.

Hanif and Carlo Kureishi are scheduled to discuss their work at an event at the Southbank Centre in London on November 11.