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Intelligence Squared

Fatima Bhutto on Grief, Survival, and the Life-Affirming Love of Canine Companions

Intelligence Squared

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, Arts, News Commentary

4.21.2K Ratings

🗓️ 27 February 2026

⏱️ 36 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Fatima Bhutto was born into the world of high politics in Pakistan. She was just 14 when she witnessed the assasination of her politician father outside of their home, and was forced to flee the country. She subsequently published Songs of Blood and Sword, which shed light on the story of her father’s murder and the Bhutto family's history in Pakistani politics, and other works of fiction including The Shadow of the Crescent Moon, which was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.  In her new memoir, The Hour of the Wolf, Bhutto reveals how, behind this largely public and political story, she was battling anxiety, depression, and the entrapment of a dangerously coercive relationship with an older man.  In this episode, she speaks to Mythili Rao about the fiercely loyal Jack Russel, Coco, who helped her to live again, and the act of transforming her shame into a force of solidarity with others. Fatima Bhutto’s new memoir, The Hour of the Wolf, is available now in bookstores and online.If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Serenti.

0:05.3

Fatima Buto was born into the world of high politics in Pakistan. She was just 14 when

0:10.8

she witnessed the assassination of her politician father outside of their home and was forced

0:15.3

to flee the country. On today's episode, Fatma joins host Mitha Li Rao to discuss how behind the public and political fallout of this story,

0:23.9

she was battling anxiety, depression, and the entrapment of a dangerously coercive relationship with an older man.

0:30.0

Drawing on her new memoir, The Hour of the Wolf, she also sheds light on how her relationship with her loyal Jack Russell Coco helped her begin to heal.

0:38.6

Let's join our host, Mitha Lee Rao, now with more.

0:42.3

Welcome to Intelligence Squared. I'm Mitha Lee Rao. Our guest today is Fatima Bhutto.

0:47.1

Fatima Bhutto is the author of the novels The Runaways and the Shadow of the Crescent Moon,

0:51.5

which was long listed for the Women's Prize for Fiction.

0:58.7

Her nonfiction books include New Kings of the World and Songs of Blood and Sword,

1:03.9

which deals with her father's murder and the Budo family's history in Pakistani politics.

1:09.0

Her journalism and essays have appeared in The New Statesman, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

1:14.6

Today I'm delighted to be speaking with Fatima about her new memoir, The Hour of the Wolf.

1:20.8

It's a memoir of grief, heartbreak, and the love of a ferociously loyal Jack Russell.

1:23.3

Welcome to Intelligence Square in Fatima.

1:25.0

Thank you for having me.

1:29.7

Fatima, this book is about many things, above all.

1:31.8

It's about a man and about a dog.

1:37.1

But to start with, it began as a book just about a dog, didn't it?

1:41.6

Can you tell me a little bit about Coco, how she entered your life and what she's like?

1:49.9

Coco is a 11-year-old Jack Russell, and I had promised my youngest brother a dog.

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