Strange Passages To Harare North [Book Review]

A review of the Zimbabwean writer, Brian Chikwava's novel, Passages to Harrare North, by Ikhide Ikheloa. Ikheloa is one of the few reviewers out there who keep African literature alive. Sometimes, though, he sparks controversy here and there. Perhaps rightly so. This particular review has already. Some love it, some hate it, some would even like to punch the reviewer in the, in the, ... where-it-pains-a-man-most. I would like you, dear reader, to read the whole review and judge for yourself. This is how it begins:

"There is this thing called the Caine Prize for African Literature, whatever that means. People compete for it and someone invariably wins. There is a lot of noise making and jollification for a deserved win and the poor winner is expected to write a book. The poor fellow always obliges and dutifully produces a thoroughly wretched book. It hardly ever fails. There have been notable exceptions but one would argue that the writer wrote a good book despite winning the Caine Prize. One such wretched book is Harare North, written by the brilliant, perhaps gifted Brian Chikwava. He is destined to write a good book - once he finds his voice. It is just that right now, his toes are flirting with crickets while Africa is carrying elephants on her head. There are few books that have frustrated me more than Harare North. It is like staring in anger at a rich pot of soup ruined by an impish but talented cook."

ENJOY.

Black woman wins Prix Goncourt for the first time

Who says Africa has not yet arrived on the world scene? In literature, sure, we have. And much more is coming. We have powerful names like Petina Gappah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Seffi Atta, Chris Abani and many others whose works are enjoyed all over the world for their sheer aesthetic quality, and of course, their content. Now, the Senegalese writer, Marie NDiaye, has fired her own shot from France. She has won the prestigious Prix Goncourt, the 106 year French literary prize. Here's the story. ENJOY!

Nigerian Sefi Atta Wins the 2009 Noma Award

Before Caine Prize there was Noma Award for publishing in Africa. Noma what? You might say. Oh, yes, Noma Award, right in the heart of Africa. Remember, it was this award that gave us Mariama Ba of te So Long a Letter! Yes, Sefi Atta has won just that prize. Great things keep on coming together for this great writer; they trickle in. Like good wine. I mean palm wine! ENJOY