Interview with Arslan Athar, Author of Forty Days of Mourning

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Forty Days of Mourning?

My father’s family is originally from Hyderabad Deccan. However, at the time of the Partition of the Indian Subcontinent and the subsequent annexation of the Princely State of Hyderabad, the family moved. In their new home, Pakistan, they never really talked about that time of turmoil. I only found out about it because of an assignment, and learning about the annexation became the impetus for this novel. From all the research about the time, the character of Saleema was born, and the story blossomed from there!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Forty Days of Mourning, what would they be?

Saleema would love “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”; it would be on her Spotify Wrapped, haha.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I read quite widely, but I’m really drawn to contemporary fiction. I’m definitely in the Sally Rooney camp (I don’t think she counts as a genre in and of herself, but I imagine her that way). Reading across genres has really helped me understand what works where and how to execute the scenes I wanted to write, so I can’t really answer that question in any concrete way.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai, Rebel English Academy by Mohammed Hanif, Katabasis by R.F. Kuang, and Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the beginning. Saleema is such a fierce character, and I had to nail her introduction to the world as best as I could. It was a lot of pressure, but it was also a really fun challenge. I wrote and rewrote it so many times, but the version of the introduction that exists today is the one I’m most proud of!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I really cannot write in silence; I like writing in public! I feel I’m unlike other authors in that way.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Perfection is a construct. Perfection is the enemy of creation.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The world is run on the whims of a few, and we have to contend with that power imbalance while surviving the curveballs that global powers throw at us.