‘A BIT OF DIFFERENCE’ – A REVIEW

The winner of the 2006 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa delivers a thrilling tale in this novel. Set partly in Nigeria, London and Atlanta, Sefi’s penmanship explores the defining shades of our societal architecture.

Her lead character, Adeola, is born into an affluent banking family. Her life is planned out until she decides to go against the grain. She studies accountancy in London and gets a job as an auditor. On an assignment in Nigeria, she meets a man, Wale and leaves Nigeria with more than just memories.

Sefi confronts the tones of classism, ethnicity and religion. How these three co-exist and their implications on human relations.

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‘ON BLACK SISTERS STREET’ – A REVIEW

On Black Sisters Street is a moving story about identity, hard truths and self-discovery. Set partly in Africa and partly in Europe, Chika Unigwe’s story follows the lives of six girls. Initially, from disparate walks of life yet brought together by the vicissitudes of life. 

A need for a fresh start, the promise of independence, the tempting allure of a new chapter of life. A combustible combination that sees them all leave Africa for Europe. The death of Sisi, one of the six, provides a much-needed point of introspection to their lives. 

To go back home or to stay put and move on? That is the question for the remaining sisters. 

Chika delivered a thrilling, sobering and enlightening masterpiece in this book. 

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‘WE NEED NEW NAMES’ – A REVIEW

Violet Bulwayo – the 2011 Caine Prize for African writing Winner – tells an intriguing story of heritage in We Need New Names.

Her characters have the most hilarious names – Darling, Bastard, Godknows, to name a few!

Set largely in Zimbabwe, this novel follows the life of Darling. A young Zimbabwean girl brought mostly by her mother. With the literary penmanship of Caine Prize winner, Violet Bulwayo tasks her characters with exploring pertinent societal issues. What with brain drain, racism, far-reaching effects of colonialism, sexuality and identity. 

Peppered with generous doses of humor and an undeniable streak of Africanism this novel is worth the read. 

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‘PERIOD PAIN’ – A REVIEW

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Dr. Kopano Matlwa weaves a beautiful, thought-provoking tale in Period Pain.

Masechaba, the main character, struggles to find meaning and self in a life full characterized by duality and contradiction. The duality of being African and Christian. Patriot and global citizen. Scientist and card-carrying traditionalist. 

Her life takes a dramatic twist when she gets raped by her people for advocating xenophobia. 

Through her eyes, we follow the struggles of reproductive health, the plight of doctors, racism and mental health. 

Dr. Kopano Matlwa has taken on rather intricate subjects and cut them down to size with ease and expertise. 

Period Pain is a gripping, engrossing and thoroughly entertaining novel. 

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‘BLACK STAR NAIROBI’ – A REVIEW

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A dead body. An explosion in the heart of the city. Trained assassins. The chase!

Mukoma wa Ngugi delivers a thrilling detective story in Black Star Nairobi. Set in Nairobi, San Diego and San Francisco this riveting novel explores the depths of power.

Fast-paced, engrossing and entertaining, it follows the lives of two detectives – Ishmael and Odhiambo. 

What would otherwise have been an open and shut case panned out to be a nightmare. One that changed their lives completely!

Law enforcement officers became fugitives, friends turned to foes and perceptions of reality were irreparably shattered.

Mukoma dexterously weaves power, drugs, money and guns to produce a thriller that is bound to have you on edge. 

Clearly, for the son of Kenya’s most prolific author – Ngugi wa Thiong’o – the apple did not fall far from the tree. 

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‘GHANA MUST GO’- A REVIEW

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Ghana Must Go follows the life of Kweku. An American-trained, Ghanaian-born, doctor. An imperfect man caught between wanting to be the man he knows he can be and mustering the fortitude to bring that man to life. 

Kweku had a camera man document his life since his study days in the US till his death. Once a rising star in the medical field, his light is abruptly put off following an inadvertent, but fatal procedure.

A man of thrust into a societal petri-dish of cultures, his children’s lives would resemble this kaleidoscope of events. Often, oscillating between pain and pleasure. Love and uncertainty. 

Uncertainty that would only be settled upon the patriarch’s death.

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