Monica Ali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Monica Ali
CBE FRSL
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Ali at the British Library in 2023
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| Born | 20 October 1967 Dacca, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) |
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| Nationality | British |
| Education | Bolton School |
| Alma mater | Wadham College, Oxford |
| Notable works | Brick Lane |
| Spouse | Simon Torrance |
| Children | 2 |
Monica Ali (born October 20, 1967) is a British writer with roots in Bangladesh and England. In 2003, she was named one of the "Best of Young British Novelists." Her first novel, Brick Lane, came out that same year. It was even nominated for a big award called the Man Booker Prize. Later, in 2007, Brick Lane was made into a movie.
Monica Ali has written five novels in total. Her latest book, Love Marriage, was released in February 2022. It quickly became a bestseller. In 2024, she received an award called Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This award was for her great contributions to literature. She also became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2019.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Monica Ali was born in Dhaka, which was then East Pakistan, in 1967. Her father was from Bangladesh, and her mother was English. When Monica was three years old, her family moved to Bolton, England. Her father's family came from the Mymensingh area.
Monica went to Bolton School. After that, she studied philosophy, politics, and economics. She attended Wadham College at Oxford University.
About Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a famous street in London. It is known for its large Bangladeshi community. Monica Ali's 2003 novel, also called Brick Lane, tells the story of Nazneen. Nazneen is a Bangladeshi woman who moves to London at age 18. She goes there to marry an older man named Chanu.
They live in an area of London called Tower Hamlets. At first, Nazneen knows only a few English words. The book shows her life and how she adapts to her new community. It also explores the character of Chanu and their wider ethnic community. The story also includes letters from Nazneen's sister, Hasina.
How Brick Lane Was Received
When Brick Lane was released, many British newspapers liked it. The Daily Telegraph even listed it as a bestseller for two weeks. Critics in both the United Kingdom and the United States praised the book. It was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, a very important literary award.
However, the novel caused some debate within the Bangladeshi community in Britain. Some groups felt that the book showed people from the Sylhet region in a negative way. Many Bangladeshi immigrants in the Brick Lane area are from Sylhet.
Brick Lane Film Adaptation
In 2006, a film based on Brick Lane was being made. Some members of the Bangladeshi community did not want parts of the movie filmed in the Brick Lane area. They even created a group to protest the film. There were demonstrations because some felt the movie showed the area and its community in a bad or stereotypical way.
The writer Germaine Greer supported the protests. She wrote that some Sylheti people in Brick Lane did not recognize themselves in the book. She also said that Monica Ali had not spent much time in the Brick Lane community. Greer also mentioned that Ali no longer spoke the Bengali language very well. Another famous writer, Salman Rushdie, criticized Greer for her comments.
About Love Marriage
Monica Ali took a break from writing for ten years. She later said she had "lost confidence" during this time. In 2022, she returned with her fifth novel, Love Marriage. This book is set in London between 2016 and 2017.
It tells the story of Yasmin Ghorami, a 26-year-old junior doctor. Yasmin is engaged to another doctor named Joe Sangster. Critics gave Love Marriage very positive reviews. It quickly became a bestseller in its first week. Monica Ali announced that the television rights for Love Marriage were sold. The book is now being developed into a TV series by the BBC. In 2023, Love Marriage was nominated for the Comedy Women in Print Prize.
Monica Ali's Views
Monica Ali was against the British government's plan to introduce the Racial and Religious Hatred Act in 2006. She wrote about this in a collection of essays. She also created the phrase "marketplace for outrage." She used this term in an article where she discussed the protests during the filming of Brick Lane.
From 2015 to 2020, Ali was a trustee for the Saint Giles Trust. This charity helps people who have been in prison and other marginalized individuals. She wrote about the importance of helping newly released prisoners. In 2020, Ali became a Patron of Hopscotch Women's Centre. This charity helps women and girls from ethnic minority backgrounds. It aims to help them achieve their full potential.
Marks & Spencer's Campaign
In 2013, Monica Ali was chosen to be a model for Marks & Spencer's "Womanism" campaign. This campaign was called "Britain's leading ladies." Ali appeared alongside other famous British women. These included pop singer Ellie Goulding and Olympic boxer Nicola Adams. Actress Helen Mirren was also part of the campaign.
Personal Life
Monica Ali lives in South London with her husband, Simon Torrance. Simon is a management consultant. They have two children together.
See also
In Spanish: Monica Ali para niños
- British Bangladeshi
- List of British Bangladeshis
- List of English writers
