You Must Believe in Spring

Mohamed Tonsy is a queer Egyptian writer and ceramicist. Formerly an architect and a triathlete representing the Egyptian Triathlon Federation, he completed a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh. His writing has appeared in Mizna and Epoch Press and was shortlisted for MFest’s 2021 Short Story Competition.You Must Believe in Spring is his first novel.

‘A remarkable work of political imagination … Unapologetically dense and rich.’ — The Skinny‘Anyone knowing the lived impact of persecution and oppression will be given company by Mohamed Tonsy’s storytelling.’ — The Student‘Provocative and creative … [blazes] new trails into vast, uncharted territories.’ — Amir Ahmadi Arian, author of Then the Fish Swallowed Him‘Knotty, hopeful and heartful.’ — Yara Rodrigues Fowler, author of there are more things‘A visionary work from a remarkable new voice. Tonsy’s use of speculative fiction to archive the past gives us a mesmerising new lens onto the 2011 revolution in Egypt.’ — Akil Kumarasamy, author of Meet Us by the Roaring Sea‘A beautiful and assured debut, masterfully pulling apart the complexities of a singular moment in time.’ — Heather Parry, author of Orpheus Builds a Girl‘This critical contribution to contemporary Arab literature quietly keeps the flame—and the bruises—of a concussed Egyptian revolution alive.’ — Farah Abdessamad, writer, critic and essayist‘In this excellent work of speculative political fiction, Tonsy succeeds in making us rethink the events of the revolution and other stories that exist in history’s margins.’ — Nihal El Aasar, Egyptian writer and researcher‘A sprawling, dense and simultaneously intimate portrait of a traumatised Cairo.’ — A. Naji Bakhti, author of Between Beirut and the Moon‘This … is where the most exciting fiction is at this pivotal moment of global political turmoil.’ — Elizabeth Chakrabarty, author of Lessons in Love and Other Crimes