Kasim Ali - Who Will Remain

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Kasim Ali will be coming to The Heath Bookshop to talk about his book, 'Who Will Remain'. He will be in conversation with Shantel Edwards from Writing West Midlands.

Kasim and Shantel will be in conversation for around an hour. There will be a book signing afterwards. 

Kasim Ali was born and raised in Alum Rock, Birmingham, where he spent the first eighteen years of his life, at which point he left to study a degree in English. Over the years, he has lived in London, Nottingham, and Newcastle, but still thinks of Birmingham as the place he’s from. He has had a short story long-listed for the B4ME story, has written fiction for BBC Radio 4, and has a column at The Bookseller. Currently, he works as an editor in publishing. Good Intentions was his first novel, Who Will Remain his second.

Who Will Remain:

A gripping, powerful new novel following a young man as he weighs up the life of safety that his parents want for him and another path just outside his door, from the acclaimed author of Good Intentions.

Amir has grown up in the Alum Rock neighbourhood of Birmingham, under the loving eye of his older brother, Bilal, and his cousin Saqib, born just a few days before Amir. There are places and people you know to avoid as an Alum Rock kid, but Amir has managed to keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble.

When Saqib is killed gang running, suddenly home doesn’t feel so safe anymore. Amir’s university grades are collapsing and pressures are mounting from every direction. As tensions flare, it seems that everyone in his life is carrying their own secrets and the family ties that have bound him so completely begin to unravel. Amir decides he only has himself to rely on and must take his future into his own hands.

This is a blistering story of social expectations and social, of dead ends and divided loyalties, and of what remains when you have nothing left to lose.

Praise for Who Will Remain:

‘I was blown away by Who Will Remain. Kasim’s passion for his story and characters shines from every page. The entire book felt alive. Heartbreaking, captivating and real – everyone should read this’ - Justin Myers, author of The Glorious Dead.

‘I loved this book. Searching and expansive in scope, with shades of Caledonian Road. A gut punch of a novel from one of the most exciting writers working right now’ - Bobby Palmer, author of Isaac and the Egg

‘Who Will Remain is a devastating snarl of ambition, power and mimetic desire. This propulsive book lays bare, with exacting clarity, the insidious constriction of social mores as well as the myriad ways that perceived lack and ceaseless want can disfigure and destroy. With prose both kinetic and finely wrought, Kasim Ali once again wields his enthralling, singular voice’ - Gaar Adams, author of Guest Privileges.

Shantel Edwards works for Writing West Midlands, programming the Birmingham Literature Festival which takes place in October each year. She is a proud Brummie and is passionate about platforming voices, and stories, from the region. 

We look forward to seeing you!

Catherine & Claire