Nussaibah Younis: Fundamentally
Dive into a bitingly original, wildly funny, wickedly sharp debut from the Women’s Prize for Fiction-shortlisted author, in conversation with Pandora Sykes.
The ‘debut of the year’ (Stylist), Fundamentally upends a defining controversy of our age with heart, complexity and humour.
Nadia is an academic who’s been dumped by her girlfriend and disowned by her puritanical mother. Instead of going to therapy, she decides to accept a UN job rehabilitating ISIS women in Iraq.
Sara is a sweary east Londoner who joined ISIS at just 15. Nadia feels inexplicably drawn to her and, as it turns out, they have a lot in common. That is, until a secret confession from Sara threatens everything Nadia has been working for.
Dr Nussaibah Younis is a peace-building practitioner and a globally recognised expert on contemporary Iraq. She has published op-eds in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and The Guardian, and has provided on-air commentary for the BBC and Al Jazeera.
Pandora Sykes is an author, journalist and broadcaster. A former editor at the Sunday Times Style, she has published two books and has been the creator and host of numerous chart-topping audio documentaries and podcasts, including The High Low.
Need to know
Reviews
‘a new name to watch out for’ The Times
‘electric’ The Guardian
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
16 Oct 2026, 7pm
Run time
1 hour and 15 minutes (approx)
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This event is held at the Purcell Room Southbank Centre
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