Nathalie Abi-Ezzi

Nathalie Abi-Ezzi is a British poet and fiction writer. She writes literary novels shaped by war and migration. She is best known for her debut novel, A Girl Made of Dust (2008). It won the German LiBeraturpreis in 2011.

Nathalie Abi-Ezzi was born in Beirut, Lebanon. Her family left the country during the civil war. They sought refuge in the United Kingdom when she was young.

Abi-Ezzi's debut novel drew on her family's history directly. A Girl Made of Dust follows eight-year-old Ruba in wartime Lebanon. Ruba tries to save her withdrawn, silent father. The novel was published to critical acclaim by 4th Estate.

The debut was translated and sold in ten countries. It was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliot Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Author's Club Best First Novel Award. The book later appeared on the IMPAC Dublin Award longlist.

Abi-Ezzi later published poetry drawing on her heritage further. Needle Around Her Neck emerged from a community art project. The project explored migration stories through textile crafts. She built poems from conversations with participants about displacement.

In 2020, Abi-Ezzi published her second novel, Paper Sparrows. It is set during the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The novel follows Layla, a music student returning to Lebanon. Layla searches for her missing brother as war erupts again.

Alongside writing, Abi-Ezzi has worked as a teacher and mentor. She has held a Royal Literary Fund Fellowship at the University of the Arts London. She also runs writing courses in Kent. She remains involved with refugee and wildlife charities.

In 2026, Abi-Ezzi published her third novel, All the Lives She Lived. Legend Press released the book on 6 August 2026. The novel spans Birmingham, Baghdad, and Beirut. It opens in 1917 within suburban Birmingham.

The story follows Doris, raised by her grandparents in England. She is told that she is entirely alone in the world. She then discovers her parents and six siblings living nearby. This discovery unravels everything she once believed about herself.

Doris reinvents herself following this shattering revelation. She abandons her old name and flees England entirely. Her journey takes her first to Baghdad, then to Beirut. Throughout, her past continues to follow her closely.

Author Kevin McManus praised the novel's atmosphere and emotional depth. He called it "richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant." Author Awais Khan described the novel as immediately gripping. He said it "refused to let go until I'd devoured every last page."

Abi-Ezzi's short stories have appeared in various anthologies. Several have also been broadcast on BBC Radio 4. Her poem "Alphabet for a New Life" was shortlisted for a prize in 2023. She continues to live and write in Kent.

Photo credit: www.nathalieabiezzi.com