London: Author, columnist and granddaughter of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Fatima Bhutto has said her forthcoming memoir, The Hour of the Wolf, is not a book she wanted to write but one she felt compelled to complete.
In a video shared on Instagram, Bhutto appears seated with her dog, Coco, and a copy of the memoir, explaining that the book emerged from a deeply painful period of her life involving a coercive relationship she remained in for far longer than she believes anyone should.
“I didn’t want to write it because I was ashamed,” Bhutto said, describing a time when she felt emotionally broken and searching for something external to repair her. She added that it took years to recognise that recovery required confronting and rebuilding herself.
Bhutto said she chose to write the memoir because she believes many women experience similar feelings of shame and silence, which can keep them trapped in harmful situations.
She argued that speaking openly may help others recognise coercion sooner and feel less alone.
The book, already released in the United States and due for publication in the UK next month, also centres on Bhutto’s relationship with her dog, whom she credits with providing unconditional support during her most vulnerable period. She describes the memoir as being as much about friendship, chosen family and healing as it is about trauma.
Rather than framing the book as a dramatic escape narrative, Bhutto presents it as an exploration of how difficult it can be to recognise emotional harm while still living within it — and how long it can take to trust oneself again.
