There is no such thing as a single unalterable path.
Dinaw Mengestu – How to Read the Air
Life’s paths
L
Dinaw Mengestu is an Ethiopian-American author recognized for his poignant explorations of immigrant experiences and identity in America. Born in 1978 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mengestu immigrated to the United States with his family as a child. He studied at Georgetown University and later earned an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University. Mengestu’s debut novel, “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears” (2007), garnered critical acclaim for its portrayal of an Ethiopian immigrant adjusting to life in Washington, D.C. His subsequent novels, including “How to Read the Air” (2010), further examine themes of displacement, memory, and familial relationships through intimate and introspective narratives. Mengestu’s writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, empathy for complex characters, and nuanced reflections on the immigrant experience in contemporary America. He continues to be celebrated for his insightful contributions to literature and cultural understanding.