Picture a Canadian storyteller who weaves dark humor and raw emotion into tales that linger long after the last page—meet Mona Awad! With a knack for blending the absurd with the deeply human, Awad’s novels explore body image, chronic pain, and the wild power of imagination. Her unique voice has earned her a devoted following and praise from literary giants like Margaret Atwood, who dubbed her a 'literary heir apparent.'
Born in Montreal, Awad’s multicultural roots and personal struggles shape her bold, subversive storytelling. From her award-winning debut to her genre-defying horror-comedies, she’s a rising star in literary fiction, inviting readers into worlds that are as unsettling as they are unforgettable.
The Making of Mona Awad
Mona Awad was born on August 22, 1978, in Montreal, Quebec, to an Egyptian Muslim father and a French-Canadian Catholic mother of Serbian and Irish descent. Raised in a vibrant, diverse household, she moved to Mississauga, Ontario, at 13. Her early love for literature bloomed through English studies, leading to a master’s from the University of Edinburgh, an MFA from Brown University, and a PhD from the University of Denver. Awad’s career began with freelance journalism and a column under the pseudonym Veronica Tartley, but fiction became her true calling, fueled by her experiences with body image and chronic pain.
Mona Awad’s Unforgettable Stories
Awad’s debut, 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl (2016), is a novel-in-stories that dives into a woman’s lifelong battle with body image. Sharp, heartbreaking, and caustically funny, it won the Amazon.ca First Novel Award and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize. Inspired by Awad’s own struggles, the book’s linked narratives expose society’s obsession with appearance.
Her sophomore novel, Bunny (2019), is a deliciously weird blend of dark academia and horror. Following Samantha, an outsider in a clique of rich girls called 'Bunnies' at a prestigious MFA program, it’s a surreal dive into creativity and groupthink. Praised by Time and Vogue, it’s now in development as a film. All’s Well (2021) tackles chronic pain through Miranda, a theater professor staging Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well. Infused with magical realism, it’s a witty, poignant take on invisible suffering. Awad’s latest, Rouge (2023), is a gothic fairy tale critiquing the beauty industry, blending horror and humor to explore grief and envy.
Awad’s style—stream-of-consciousness, darkly comic, and genre-blurring—creates worlds where reality and fantasy collide. Her themes of outsiderness, societal pressure, and resilience resonate deeply, earning her a cult following on platforms like TikTok.
Why Mona Awad Matters
Mona Awad’s work redefines literary fiction by embracing the messy, often ignored parts of human experience. Her fearless exploration of female pain, beauty standards, and the creative process challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. As an assistant professor at Syracuse University, she inspires a new generation of writers to find their voice. With Atwood’s endorsement and a growing fanbase, Awad’s influence is only beginning to unfold, making her a vital voice in contemporary literature.
- Born: August 22, 1978, Montreal, Quebec
- Key Works: 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl, Bunny, All’s Well, Rouge
- Awards: Amazon.ca First Novel Award, Ladies of Horror Fiction Award
Snag Bunny or Rouge and dive into Mona Awad’s wickedly funny, heart-wrenching world of literary fiction!