Festival Read: Nussaibah Younis with Fundamentally

Nussaibah Younis is one of the most talented new voices in contemporary fiction. Her debut novel, Fundamentally caused a stir in 2025, winning both the ComedyWomen in Print Published Novel and People’s Choice Awards and making the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlist.

To mark the paperback publication, Nussaibah joins us for a conversation with Bath-based writer Harriet Evans.

Fundamentally blends razor-sharp satire with serious questions about identity, belief and belonging, following an academic who takes a UN job in Iraq deradicalising women once tied to ISIS and finds herself in situations as absurd as they are revealing. It’s a story that makes you think even as it makes you laugh. A brilliant choice for book groups, lovers of smart contemporary fiction, and anyone who enjoys novels that are as funny as they are thought-provoking.

‘Extremely fascinating, extremely jaw-dropping – and extremely funny’ –  Marina Hyde

Part of the Curious Minds Festival – more info here.