Coming of age stories are a often visited theme in young adult and even middle grades literature. It is not a common theme in picture books, however. Forthcoming from Catalyst Press, Wankijũ, Child of Mine is a picture book bildungsroman of a Kenyan girlhood. Like other titles from Catalyst Press, it gives pride of place … Continue reading #WorldKidLit Wednesday: Wankijũ, Child of Mine
Now I have reached 2021, and I had to pick this book as I haven't had a book from Africa in my choices. This writer is always a name that is on the list of writers who could win the Booker and is near the top of that list. He originally wrote his first book … Continue reading #Translationthurs: The Perfect Nine by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
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)
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)
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)
I grew up reading the "Dick and Jane" series. For most children of my generation, we did not have access to reading material that represented us or our own environment. So I was delighted to come across "Tai the Rhino: A Bee in the Nose" which is a children's book that not only serves to … Continue reading #ZimbabweLitMonth: Tai the Rhino: A Bee in the Nose (2022)
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)
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
Some time last year, I tweeted that I was looking for books by women from certain African countries, someone recommended this book, and it doesn’t disappoint. In a Nutshell: Awu’s Story is a story of Awu and her marriage to Obame, and of old traditions in Northern Gabon grappling with the change of modern customs in … Continue reading Gabon 🇬🇦: Awu’s Story by Justine Mintsa, tr. Cheryl Toman
Purple Hibiscus Content Warning: domestic violence, religious trauma, mentions of abuse, depictions of abuse, pregnancy loss, state-sanctioned violence. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a coming-of-age novel that juxtaposes the tumult of adolescence with the tumult of a changing nation. Set in 1980s Nigeria and told from the perspective of teenage protagonist, Kambili, Purple … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Purple Hibiscus
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 