I’m delighted to announce my latest book project – “Beer and Biriyani” which is the working title of a book I’m writing with my good friend Jesmin Chowdhury. Jesmin is a wonderful example of how friendships over the internet can blossom and be rewarding (something I’ve experienced many times over). We met several years ago… Read More Beer and Biriyani – a new book project
By Ken Powell (originally published in the Egremont 2Day newspaper) I WROTE last time about the security issues travelling around Bangladesh on my trip last February. These aren’t imagined dangers and they’re not just aimed at foreigners either. While we were out in the villages enjoying the best home-made curry in the world, we were… Read More Report on Bangladesh Part II – Those who have no TV to hide behind
Originally published at the Egremont 2Day newspaper in March 2016 By Ken Powell ken@egremont2day.co.uk Part One WELL I survived my trip to Bangladesh – did you miss me? No, never mind, better I don’t know! You may recall my nerves about going last month. Things are a bit volatile over there at the moment, with… Read More Walls or Bridges? A Two-part report on Bangladesh
Reblogged from my personal blog kenthinksaloud. It sounded like such a good idea at the time. Yeah of course I’d love give a talk at TEDx Whitehaven! And I did want to – I do want to. But, that old, old problem which faces most writers has arisen as I’ve struggled to write my talk for the last… Read More Big picture meets the nitty-gritty: the struggle of writing a TEDx talk
Originally posted on my personal blog – kenthinksaloud . My TEDx talk takes place on Wednesday 7 September in Whitehaven, Cumbria. I hope to see some of you guys there! Uff so sorry guys that it has been an age since I last posted. I really need to pay more attention to this blog but life is… Read More On becoming a TEDx speaker
by Ken Powell Monday 25 July saw a fascinating performance at Manchester’s Z-Arts theatre by ADDA, a cultural arts group which draws its members largely from the Bangladeshi community. For me, it was a most special event. ‘Nripoti’ (The King) is a play by Humayun Ahmed, a famous and well-respected Bangladeshi writer. A simple play… Read More Review: Nripoti by Humayun Ahmed
My latest opinion piece for the E2D NOW I don’t want to be melodramatic or anything, but at the time of writing I’m just hours away from heading back to Bangladesh – where I spent the six happiest years of my life – and I’m very aware ‘I may not make it back alive’, as… Read More ‘Being British’ and not making a fuss
From my opinion column written for the Egremont 2Day newspaper. As I write this the sun is shining, Wimbledon is on and all seems right with the world. Except it isn’t, of course. Greece is on the verge of complete economic collapse and exit from the EU (or ‘Grexit’ as it is known); and today… Read More In the spirit of things
Songs At the River’s Edge: Stories From a Bangladeshi Village by Katy Gardner My rating: 3 of 5 stars I wanted to like this book, I really did. A book about my beloved Bangladesh where I spent nearly six blissfully happy years written by a British woman who was a social anthropologist and should therefore… Read More Book Review: Songs At the River’s Edge: Stories From a Bangladeshi Village by Katy Gardner
The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam My rating: 5 of 5 stars ‘The Good Muslim’ by Tahmima Anam is one of only a handful of books in my life which has left me in real pain. I felt something akin to grief when the book came to an end as wave after wave of emotions… Read More Book Review: The Good Muslim
Write Out Loud 