Time truly flies when you are having fun! Can't believe today is my last day on the job! Once I got the hang of WordPress, I truly enjoyed the experience of curating ZW Literature. My country has a vast archive of literature and a huge and growing database of writers. If you are curious to … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Time to Say Goodbye
Articles
#ZimbabweLitMonth: The Men I Have Hated (2021)
All good things eventually come to an end. Our final book to end this #ZimbabweLitMonth with is this memoir by Tinatswe Mhaka whose debut, "The Men I Have Hated" published by Carnelian Heart Publishing chronicles her journey with her relationships with men from childhood to adulthood in Zimbabwe. Mhaka allows herself to be vulnerable and … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: The Men I Have Hated (2021)
#WORLDKIDLITWEDNESDAY: NIDA FINDS A WAY
Freedoms, both personal and collective, are explored in the endearingly crafted Nida Finds A Way, written by Samina Mishra and illustrated by Priya Kuriyan. Aimed at younger readers as a part of the hOle books series—Duckbill’s line of books with a hole cut into the top right corner to do with as you please—the story … Continue reading #WORLDKIDLITWEDNESDAY: NIDA FINDS A WAY
#ZimbabweLitMonth: This Might Sting a Bit (2021)
As this month comes to an end, I know this might sting a bit so I thought I would end with this novel about substance abuse set in Harare. In her debut novel, Claire Adlam introduces us to the Hay family. "Meet Kat. Just a regular teenager growing up on a Zimbabwean farm. Full of … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: This Might Sting a Bit (2021)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: The scandalous times of a book louse (2021)
While we are on the subject of memorable memoirs from Zimbabwe, I would like to introduce you to Robert Muponde. His memoir, The Scandalous Times of a Book Louse: A Memoir of Childhood, was published by Penguin Random House South Africa. "Stories form the blood and bones of Robert Muponde's enchanting life and times. Book … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: The scandalous times of a book louse (2021)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: I am a girl from Africa (2021)
Often times the stories centered around Zimbabwe are fictional narratives. Memoir is becoming a popular nonfiction form of expression. Today I will introduce you to Elizabeth Nyamayaro @enyamayaro, who narrates her life story which begins with a near death experience in Goromonzi. This incident is what catapults her onto a journey which takes her to … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: I am a girl from Africa (2021)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: Glory (2022)
Political satire is an important genre in Zimbabwe where writers can't often express themselves without impunity. Glory, published by Chatto (2022) is the second novel by award-winning novelist, Noviolet Bulawayo. The book was shortlisted for the Booker Prize (2022) and is inspired by George Orwell's "Animal Farm." In Glory, the story rides on the senile … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Glory (2022)
#WorldKidLitWednesday: Please Don’t Put That In Your Mouth
Spurred by his own experiences as a parent, the 2022 Booker Prize-winning author Shehan Karunatilaka, ventured into making books for young readers, with the Baby Baba series of books, in 2019. Written in rhyme and quirkily illustrated by his brother Lalith Karunatilaka, the book begins with describing Baby Baba—a bemused but fearless toddler in a … Continue reading #WorldKidLitWednesday: Please Don’t Put That In Your Mouth
#ZimbabweLitMonth: Black and Female (2022)
In this latest offering by critically acclaimed novelist, Tsitsi Dangarembga, she flips the page and goes nonfiction. Black and Female is a powerful novella consisting of three essays which gives us greater insight into the author and her journey as a writer and filmmaker. In writing 'Black and Female,' Dangarembga allows herself the space to … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Black and Female (2022)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: The Mad Man on First Street and Other Short Stories (2022)
We continue this week on a thread of short story collections, namely from new debut authors. Today I will introduce you to David Chasumba and his award-winning collection, which is published by the Carnelian Heart imprint.. The title story is reminiscent of a short story by a Nigerian writer, Osahon Ize-Iyamu's The Mad Man of … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: The Mad Man on First Street and Other Short Stories (2022)
