Discipline (novel)


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The book and author have come to public attention after the author's invitation to the 2026 Adelaide Writers' Week was rescinded, and most of the participants boycotted the event, leading to its cancellation.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. 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.

Characters

Publication history

Discipline was published by University of Queensland Press on 2 September 2025.

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". The book has received generally good reviews.

Awards

Discipline was Highly Commended in the 2026 Victorian Premier's Literary Awards, Fiction category.

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.