How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division

The must-read, pocket-sized Big Think book of 2020 It feels like the world is falling apart. So how do we keep hold of our optimism? How do we nurture the parts of ourselves that hope, trust and believe in something better? And how can we stay sane in this world of division? In this beautifully written and illuminating polemic, Booker Prize nominee Elif Shafak reflects on our age of pessimism, when emotions guide and misguide our politics, and misinformation and fear are the norm. A tender, uplifting plea for optimism, Shafak draws on her own memories and delves into the power of stories to reveal how writing can nurture democracy, tolerance and progress. And in the process, she answers one of the most urgent questions of our time.

Review: One of the best writers in the world today -- Hanif Kureishi One of the most important writers at work today * Independent * PRAISE FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS: 'Expect vibrant, vivid and eye-opening descriptions of Middle Eastern life propelled by a tender storyline, all in Shafak's haunting, beautiful and considered prose' * Vanity Fair * Incredibly sensuous and poetic and evocative -- Pandora Sykes * The High Low * Richly uplifting... truly beautiful writing -- Nicola Sturgeon Simply magnificent, a truly captivating work of immense power and beauty, on the essence of life and its end -- Philippe Sands A vivid carnival of life and death, cruelty and kindness, love, politics and deep humanity. Brilliant! -- Helena Kennedy