Fiction Book Club

The Fiction Book Club, led by Ned Scharff, discusses Abdulrazak Gurnah’s *Theft*, November’s selected title. Named one of *The Washington Post*’s Top 10 Fiction Books of 2025, the novel is Gurnah’s first new work since he received the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Set in Tanzania at the turn of the twenty-first century, *Theft* follows three young people coming of age amid sweeping social and technological change. Karim returns to his quiet hometown after university with renewed ambition; Fauzia sees in him a possible escape from her restrictive upbringing; and Badar, a poor young man uncertain about his future, finds refuge with them. As tourism, technology, new opportunities, and new dangers affect their community, each character develops a different understanding of personal agency and taking control of their fate.

When: November 9

Showtime: 6:00 PM

Featured book: *Theft* by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Leader: Ned Scharff

Format: In person

Membership: Open to Athenæum members only

Schedule: The group generally meets on the second Monday of each month, with titles selected by the group one month before each meeting.

Tickets: Free

Registration: Registration applies only to this session. Registering also authorizes the organizer to share your email address.

Venue: The Athenæum of Philadelphia, 219 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3794

Contact: 215-925-2688