Hanif Kureishi is one of the most exciting and controversial British writers who has produced significant work in a range of forms: plays, essays, novels, short stories and film. This guide introduces and sets in context the key debates about his work, and discusses his writing in relation to such issues as gender, postcolonial theory and British identity today. By exploring Kureishi's own statements and a wide range of critical perspectives, the guide provides a comprehensive resource for the study of one of the most important critical figures in contemporary culture.