Chinasa, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Another good story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. "Chinasa" could be seen as a continuing link between the devastation of Nigerian civil war and the Igbo people's present effort to cope. The past is not past, the past lives on, shapes us, indeed, determines the future. THE STORY

Why shouldn't I write about Africa?

This is an interesting essay with Africa-related ideas. I enjoyed reading it. Hope you too will. Here we go!

Maik Nwosu - In the Time of His Excellency

Maik Nwosu has an interesting short story in The Dublin Quarterly. I admire Nwosu's writings. Sometimes though, I tend to believe that he has a way of estranging his fictional world that the reader has difficult time relating it to easily identifiable reality. I found it excruciating getting through Invisible Chapters and Alpha Song.
There is no doubt though that he is very much interested in African reality and is determined to portray it aesthetically.
Enjoy "In the Time of His Excellency."

Kaine Agary in Interview

An exciting interview with Kaine Agary, the winner of the 2008 Nigerian Literature Prize. It's titled: "Everything around me is motivational." I say a full-throated Amen not only considering her picture, which I confess, made my heart skip some beats, but also getting a glimpse of her beautiful mind. Enjoy

A Review of Chika Unigwe's Novel

Uche Peter Umez undertakes an interesting review of Chika Unigwe's 2007 novel, The Phoenix, in the most recent issue of Eclectica. Enjoy.

New African Literature Prize

This is really hot! Penguin launches African prize


This is real good news! Penguin has launched an African writing prize and a Penguin African Writers series in 2009.

The initiatives will mark the 20th anniversary of Penguin publishing in the South African market. The prize will be for unpublished work and will have two categories, fiction and non-fiction, with SA R50, 000 (£3,143) and a publishing contract with Penguin South Africa on offer to each winner.

The Penguin African Writers series will be developed in conjunction with Heinemann. Our own Chinua Achebe will act as senior editorial advisor to the series.

HERE YOU GO!

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Collection of Short Stories

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's upcoming collection of short story, The Thing Around Your Neck, is due in April, 2009. Here is an example of the stories: "A Private Experience." As always, an exciting read.
Enjoy!