The 2024 Aspen Words Literary Prize winner, “Enter Ghost” by novelist Isabella Hammad, is set to captivate local readers through the Pitkin County Community Read program, presented by Aspen Words and the Pitkin County Library.
The Sopris Sun corresponded with Adrienne Brodeur, Aspen Words’ executive director, to discuss the merits of the award-winning novel and the broader role of literature in community engagement.
Born into a Palestinian emigrant family, the 32-year-old Hammad grew up in London and attended Oxford University where she studied English. She did a graduate fellowship in literature at Harvard and earned an MFA in Creative Writing at New York University.
Brodeur noted that Hammad’s voice stands out in today’s literary landscape.
“Isabella Hammad has a sophisticated way of blending personal narratives with broader political contexts. In her novels ‘The Parisian,’ [Hammad’s 2019 debut novel] and ‘Enter Ghost,’ she explores themes of diaspora, displacement and identity by examining the intersection of individual lives and larger political realities,” she said.
Published in 2023, “Enter Ghost” won this year’s Royal Society of Literature (RSL) Encore Award given to the best second novel published in the United Kingdom. The book was also shortlisted for several prestigious literary awards in 2024, including the Women’s Prize for Fiction, the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the Gordon Bowker Prize.
William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is central to the plot of “Enter Ghost.” The novel follows Sonia, an actress returning to her native Palestine after years abroad, who becomes involved in a production of Hamlet in the West Bank directed by her sister.
The choice of “Hamlet” is significant because its themes resonate deeply with present-day Palestinian political realities.
“‘Enter Ghost’ is an intricate novel that tackles various themes including exile and belonging, political resistance through art, collective memory and history, identity, love, loss and more,” Brodeur explained.
This year’s Community Read program kicked off on July 17, with the Pitkin County Library distributing free copies of “Enter Ghost” to Roaring Fork Valley residents.
Plans for a book celebration in September at the library will include a discussion exploring themes from the book.
On September 13 and 14, the library will host screenings of two film adaptations of “Hamlet.” The first screening will feature the 1996 film directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, and the second will showcase the 1948 film directed by and starring Laurence Olivier.
Aspen Words programming promotes diverse voices through its Winter Words author talk series, the Summer Words writing conference, youth programs and the Aspen Words Literary Prize.
“We believe that readers benefit from inclusivity in the literary world. By selecting a novel like ‘Enter Ghost’ — or any of the previous Aspen Words Literary Prize-winning books — Aspen Words supports the rich tapestry of global literature, exposing readers to different perspectives and encouraging dialogue around vital issues,” the executive director stated.
Brodeur said literature plays a crucial role in fostering understanding and empathy within a community.
“I don’t believe it is possible to read a novel without stepping out of yourself and into the lives of characters who are different from you,” she reflected. “Whether the difference is historical, cultural, racial, geographic, religious or experiential is less important than seeing the world through a new lens. That, I believe, builds a sense of shared humanity and compassion.”
All Community Read events are free and open to the public. To reserve a copy of the book, visit www.pitcolib.org
Book pickup is at the Pitkin County Library, 120 N. Mill Street in Aspen.