Author Talk with Erum Shazia Hasan of We Meant Well

A propulsive debut that grapples with timely questions about what it means to be charitable, who deserves what, and who gets the power to decide

It’s the middle of the night in Los Angeles when Maya, a married mother of one, receives the phone call. Her colleague Marc has been accused of assaulting a local girl in Likanni, where they operate a charitable orphanage. Can she get on the next flight?

When Maya arrives, protesters surround the compound. The accuser is Lele, her former protégé and the chief’s daughter. There are no witnesses, no proof of any crime.

What happened that night? And what will happen to the orphanage if this becomes a scandal? Caught between Marc and Lele, the charity and the villagers, her marriage and new temptations, Maya lives the secret contradictions of the aid worker: there to serve the most deprived, but ultimately there to govern.

As Maya feels the pleasures, freedoms, and humanity of life in Likanni, she recognizes that her American life is inextricably woven into this violent reality — and that dishonesty in one place affects the realities in another.

Erum Shazia Hasan is a bestselling Canadian author. Her debut novel, We Meant Well, has not only captivated readers but also earned her a place among Canada's literary elite, securing a coveted spot on the longlist for the prestigious 2023 Giller Prize. Born in Canada and raised in France, Hasan is now based in Toronto where she is a sustainable development consultant for the United Nations and other international agencies. Inspired by her many travels, Hasan's writing transcends borders, bringing diverse cultures to life on the page.