The noughties probably witnessed the biggest exodus of Zimbabweans emigrating from the country in search of greener pastures. This has given rise to the emigre novel as migrants narrate their lived experiences in their host countries. "Where the Heart is," is one such novel authored by Andrew Chatora. The story unfolds in Milton Keyes and … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Where the Heart is (2022)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: Avenues by Train (2023)
The common question or discourse around ZW literature nowadays is: where are the male writers? This is because the literary landscape is now dominated by women. However, I would like to present the answer to this question in the new emerging male voice of Farai Mudzingwa @mudzingwafarai @dangurangu . His debut novel, Avenues by Train, … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Avenues by Train (2023)
#ZimbabweLitMonth: Sunshine and Shadows (2023)
Today I am going to introduce you to Busisekile Khumalo. Her latest novel, Sunshine and Shadows is hot off the printing press. The book is published by Kwela Books, a South African-based publishing imprint. Since the demise of the publishing industry in Zimbabwe, it is not uncommon to find many Zimbabwean authors who are either … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Sunshine and Shadows (2023)
Welcome to #ZimbabweLitMonth
Good afternoon all! My name is Sukoluhle Nyathi, affectionately known as Sue Nyathi. I am delighted to assume my role as guest curator for November as we steer the vast world of Zimbabwe Literature. I am a published Zimbabwean author of four fiction titles: The Polygamist (2012), The Gold Diggers (2018), A Family Affair (2020), … Continue reading Welcome to #ZimbabweLitMonth
End of the road!
Last week, in my capacity as learning support teacher, I taught a lesson to the whole grade 4 cohort about my book project. Why you might ask. The Grade 4s are looking at why we read. I presented my project and blog then set them on their own discovery task, linked here. Thanks to the … Continue reading End of the road!
Spain 🇪🇸: Tell me Who I am by Julia Navarro, tr. by James Womack
In a Nutshell: Dime Quién Soy or Tell Me Who I am in English, is the story of Amelia Garagoya, the great-grandmother of the narrator. The narrator is a journalist, who lacks any ambition and is asked by his aunt to go and research the life of his great-grandmother and write a book on her life. The book … Continue reading Spain 🇪🇸: Tell me Who I am by Julia Navarro, tr. by James Womack
Holland 🇳🇱: The Tree and The Vine by Dola de Jong, tr. by Kristen Gehrman
In a Nutshell: First published in Dutch in 1954, The Tree and The Vine was regarded as groundbreaking and controversial. I read about this book, along with Nine Moons thanks to the wonderful online magazine, Words without Borders. Set in Amsterdam in 1938, the novel explores the tumultuous relationship between two very different women. In the shadow of the Nazi … Continue reading Holland 🇳🇱: The Tree and The Vine by Dola de Jong, tr. by Kristen Gehrman
Czech Republic 🇨🇿 : Europe Must be for the 99 Per Cent by Apolena Rychliková, tr. by Julia Sherwood, in Europa 28: Writing by Women on the Future of Europe, edited by Sophie Hughes and Sarah Cleave
An Overview: Europa 28 is a brilliant anthology of essays, short stories and play excerpts from women writers, artists, scientists, entrepeneurs and dreamers. In this anthology, one woman from each of the EU states, including the UK, shares their vision for the future of Europe, hence the title Europa 28. Who would have thought a book on … Continue reading Czech Republic 🇨🇿 : Europe Must be for the 99 Per Cent by Apolena Rychliková, tr. by Julia Sherwood, in Europa 28: Writing by Women on the Future of Europe, edited by Sophie Hughes and Sarah Cleave
Armenia 🇦🇲: Three Apples Fell from the Sky by Narine Abgaryan, tr. Lisa.C. Hayden
I read this book during last year's #WomenInTranslation Month (August 2021), a tradition started 10 years ago by Meytal Radzinki. It is thanks to Meytal and the #WIT twitter community that I have read as many books as I have. If you are on Twitter, look for the hashtag #WiTmonth and follow people like TranslateWomen, MillieMargretta and Read_WIT and @GlobalLitIn. It is especially … Continue reading Armenia 🇦🇲: Three Apples Fell from the Sky by Narine Abgaryan, tr. Lisa.C. Hayden
Montenegro 🇲🇪: Catherine the Great and the Small by Olja Knežević, tr. by Paula Gordon and Ellen Elias-Bursać
In a Nutshell: This is a book about the life of Catherine. Split into two sections: Catherine the Small is about her childhood and youth growing up in Montenegro and then studying/living in Belgrade, Serbia. The second half, entitled Catherine the Great is about her time as a mother and wife. The novel takes us … Continue reading Montenegro 🇲🇪: Catherine the Great and the Small by Olja Knežević, tr. by Paula Gordon and Ellen Elias-Bursać
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 