Ryad Assani-Razaki

Ryad Assani-Razaki, born on November fourth, nineteen eighty-one in Cotonou, Benin, is a distinguished Beninese-Canadian writer known for his compelling narratives and unique voice in literature. He embarked on his journey to North America in nineteen ninety-nine to pursue a degree in computer science at the University of North Carolina, graduating in two thousand two.

After facing challenges in the job market, Assani-Razaki returned to academia, enrolling in a master's program in computer science at the Université de Montréal in two thousand four. It was during this period that he discovered his passion for writing, crafting his first short story in two thousand six, inspired by an encounter with an Asian man struggling to communicate in a fast food restaurant.

His literary debut came with the short story collection Deux cercles, published in two thousand nine, which garnered critical acclaim and won the Trillium Book Award for French-language fiction in two thousand ten. Following this success, his novel La main d'Iman was released in two thousand eleven, earning the Prix Robert-Cliche and a nomination for the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction in two thousand twelve.

In two thousand twenty-five, Assani-Razaki's work reached a broader audience with the English translation of La main d'Iman, titled The Hand of Iman, further solidifying his place in contemporary literature.