Discipline (novel)
| Author | Randa Abdel-Fattah |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | University of Queensland Press |
Publication date | 2 September 2025 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9780702271014 |
Discipline is a 2025 novel by Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah. The book and author have come to public attention after the author's invitation to the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week was rescinded, and most of the participants boycotted the event, leading to its cancellation.
Synopsis
The novel is set in Sydney, during the Israel-Gaza War. The story centres around two main characters after a student at a local Islamic school is arrested and charged with terrorism offences for staging a protest against an Israeli arms manufacturer. Hannah is a young journalist investigating the story. Ashraf is an academic. Ashraf's ex-wife, Mya, has become a devout Muslim and moved to Yemen, taking their two teenage daughters, with a new husband.[1] Hannah's husband, Jamal, is a PhD student, whose supervisor is Ashraf. Hannah and Jamal have a baby daughter, and are worried about loved ones in Gaza.[2]
Characters
- Hannah, a young newspaper journalist
- Ashraf, an Egyptian Australian academic
- Jamal, Hannah's husband
Publication history
Discipline was published by University of Queensland Press on 2 September 2025.[3] In her acceptance speech for the 2026 People's Choice Prize in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards on 25 February 2026, Abdel-Fattah thanked her "visionary publisher" Aviva Tuffield at UQP, saying that she had faced pressure to not publish the book.[4]
Critical reception
The Sydney Morning Herald called Discipline "A bold exploration of media censorship around the Israel-Palestine conflict", and praises its writing as "an engaging story: well-woven, gripping and insightful".[5] The book has received generally good reviews.[6][7]
Awards
Discipline was Highly Commended in the 2026 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards Prize for Fiction.[3]
On 25 February 2026, the book won the People's Choice in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, which includes a $2000 cash prize money from the Wheeler Centre.[4]
Adelaide Writers' Week 2026
Abdel Fattah was due to speak about Discipline at the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week in February–March, but the Adelaide Festival board decided to disinvite her in January. This led to a boycott by around 180 participants and the resignation of AWW director Louise Adler.[8][9]
References
- ^ Haydar, Nour (30 August 2025). "'I have no interest in the white gaze any more': Randa Abdel-Fattah on Gaza, boycotts and her new novel". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ Heath, Nicola; Nichols, Claire (15 October 2025). "Randa Abdel-Fattah reveals how the Israel-Gaza war shaped her new book Discipline". ABC News. Archived from the original on 11 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Discipline". UQP. 2 September 2025. Archived from the original on 9 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ a b Karakulak, Helen (26 February 2026). "'Sweet victory against Premiers': Abdel-Fattah wins Vic literary award". InDaily. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ Ayoub, Sarah (24 September 2025). "Book review: Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah is a bold exploration of media censorship around the Israel-Palestine conflict". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 11 January 2026. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ Mossammaparast, Marjon (27 November 2025). "Marjon Mossammaparast reviews 'Discipline' by Randa Abdel-Fattah and 'What Kept You?' by Raaza Jamshed". Australian Book Review. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ Mourad, Eman (15 July 2025). "Discipline (Randa Abdel-Fattah, UQP)". Books+Publishing. Retrieved 16 January 2026.
- ^ "Adelaide Writers' Week director Louise Adler resigns following Randa Abdel-Fattah's removal". ABC News. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ Keane, Daniel (12 January 2026). "Adelaide Writers' Week is in disarray". ABC News. Archived from the original on 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
External links
- Discipline on UQP