# Make Believe

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/diana-athill/make-believe

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![Make Believe](https://quivercdn.com/covers/granta/diana-athill/make-believe_978-17-8378-744-9-ec87729a.webp?v=2026-10-17%2012%3A30%3A48)

- Authors: [Diana Athill](https://www.bookquiver.com/diana-athill)
- Language: en_US
- Published: 2022-06-02
- Genres: Biography: general, Autobiography: general, Reportage, journalism or collected columns

## Description

Following a turbulent upbringing, a history of addiction and a committal to an asylum, the teachings of Malcolm X changed Hakim Jamal's life. He became an eloquent, rousing spokesperson for the Nation of Islam movement, moved to London, began a relationship with Gale Benson - the daughter of a British MP - and published a book about Malcolm X, with Diana Athill. Before long, however, he began behaving erratically again, and believed himself to be God. Raw and unflinching, Make Believe is a memoir of friendship, love, mania and injustice. A witness to his struggles, Athill reflects on her relationship with Hakim with characteristic empathy and candour, whilst charting the events that led to Gale's - and not long after, Hakim's - murder.

## Editions

### Make Believe

- Publisher: granta
- ISBN: 978-17-8378-744-9
- Pages: 160
- Published: 2022-06-02
- Language: en_US