We Computers

Discover Hamid Ismailov’s newest novel, We Computers, in conversation with its English translator, Shelley Fairweather-Vega. Both author and translator will join us for this special gathering. Within just a month of its release, We Computers was longlisted for the National Book Award, a testament to its originality and resonance.

At the heart of the novel is French poet and psychologist Jon-Perse, who turns his attention to one of the twentieth century’s most transformative inventions: the computer. With inspiration from his Uzbek colleague Abdulhamid Ismail and the rich legacy of Persian verse, Jon-Perse develops a program that can read and even generate poetry. From there unfolds an intricate, playful exploration of literature, history, and love—a narrative that weaves together Sufi mysticism, Western philosophy, and the enduring presence of Hafez, while reflecting on what poetry means in the age of algorithms.

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Hamid Ismailov, born in Kyrgyzstan and raised in Uzbekistan, is considered Central Asia’s foremost living author. His novels include The Railway, The Dead Lake, and The Underground. He lives in Hertz, UK.

Shelley Fairweather-Vega is a translator who specializes in prose and poetry from Central Asia. She lives in Seattle, Washington.