Henock Bekele

Jan 4 , 2026.

Fortune: Do you write to change society, or to document it before it changes?

Henock: I write simply because I love writing, nothing more, nothing less. To me, 'societal change' is a concept too vast to grasp fully, let alone to write to help achieve. While novels certainly reflect the zeitgeist, I believe documentation is the duty of history, not fiction. My books are not meant to be absolute truths or factual records. They are my personal interpretations of reality. I am not looking for a historical audit. I am simply documenting my own emotions and headspace. My work is my way of saying, 'This is how I felt; can anyone relate?’ But, if it contributes to something larger, so be it. But I do not offer grandeur or a decorated mission for my writings.

Q: In your stories, who is usually a free person? Is it the person with money, or the one with nothing to lose? Why?

A: What does it actually mean to be 'free'? I think a word like 'freedom' is interpreted in so many different ways and is often prone to 'platonification', becoming more of an abstract ideal than a reality. It has so many layers and a high degree of relativity. I have never weighed my stories or characters against those kinds of concepts as a whole. I find it difficult to give a definitive answer.

Q: If you had to ban one word from everyday Ethiopian social vocabulary, what word would go first? What would replace it?

A: That is really a great power to have next to being Superman (pun intended). Words have the power to break or even kill. I surely know our use of belittling vocabulary has deeply hurt many people. However, I believe banning a word only triggers a stronger reaction. Also, I do not think the problem is the word itself, but the mentality and societal makeup behind it. I would much rather let those terms fade organically into the abyss as we evolve. I respectfully decline the offer to ban anything for now. Remind me again some other time, I might change my mind.

Q: Was there a comment about your books that changed your point of view? Which book?

A: I am usually suspicious about comments. They are not sincere enough to take into consideration wholeheartedly. But years after publishing my first novel, “Hager Yata Mot”, I actually thought about giving up on writing. I had convinced myself that novels and poetry were not 'purposeful' enough and that I should solely focus on my other aspirations. But over time, the deep, personal connection and adoration from my readers made me realise I was mistaken. Writing is my life’s purpose, as essential to me as the stone was to Sisyphus. I have finally realised that in writing, I am home. Nowhere to go.

Q: What part of writing do you dread the most? Why?

A: Strangely enough, I hate the whole writing process. I hate the technical grind, plotting the ins and outs, searching for the right words, studying the dictionary, and the endless editing. Most of all, I hate the vulnerability to give my inner thoughts a shape. How can you love something so much that you also hate it? I do not know, but for me, writing is both a pain and a pleasure. It is a cathartic experience. It pains me to confront our human crookedness and to capture social injustices, especially when I realise I have no solutions for the problems I am vehemently pointing out. Writing forces you to see beneath the surface of everything beautiful, and sometimes makes you a cynic and fault-finder. In all honesty, it is a bittersweet situationship.

Q: What does literature teach you about life that you do not learn in schools?

A: That emotions matter, too. School is often empirical; it is about formulas, order, excellence, the cosmos, the hero Achilles, and so much more, whereas literature is about Achilles’ heel, the downfalls, and the human condition, too. It is about the universe in the psyche, the vastness and complexity of the human brain. It is about entropy and the things we could never, ever understand or label. I love them both deeply. To me, they are not contradictions, but two different ways of understanding the world.

Q: Unforgettable childhood Christmas memory?

A: I have such vivid memories of the Christmas carols and hymns at school and church; 'Joy to the World' was my favourite. I remember the plays we put on and how I used to write poems about the baby Jesus. Also, movies like "Home Alone" are part of my memory. I would say it was my favourite holiday.

Q: What do you think about this generation’s (Youth) readership/reading habit?

A: Reading could be considered challenging these days, especially with the tight grip influence of social media, begging for our attention. The rising cost of books and the hectic pace of life also contribute to the decline in reading habits. While it may seem discouraging, I do see young people who are still committed to reading, reading deeply and acting based on their acquired wisdom. Isn’t that something to celebrate? It is.

Q: What’s Next?

A: As Anne Lamott`s father put it wisely, I am taking it “bird by bird”. Maybe I will make something out of it this year, maybe not.

PUBLISHED ON Jan 04,2026 [ VOL 26 , NO 1340]