Dinaw Mengestu

Dinaw Mengestu is a critically acclaimed Ethiopian-American author, known for his poignant and thought-provoking works. Born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mengestu's family was forced to relocate to the United States when he was just two years old due to the outbreak of civil war in his home country. Raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, Mengestu's experiences as an immigrant and his connection to his native country would later become major themes in his writing.

Mengestu's writing career began to take shape after he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Georgetown University. He went on to earn his Masters of Fine Arts from Columbia University, where he honed his craft and developed his unique voice. In addition to his fiction writing, Mengestu has also contributed to several notable publications, including Jane Magazine, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, and Harpers.

Throughout his career, Mengestu has received numerous accolades for his writing, including being chosen as one of the 20 best writers under 40 by The New Yorker in 2010. His work has explored themes of identity, displacement, and the immigrant experience, drawing from his own background and experiences. Despite leaving Ethiopia at a young age, Mengestu's connection to his native country has remained a significant influence in his writing, providing a rich and nuanced perspective on the complexities of identity and the immigrant experience.