Brutality seen through children' eyes -FLORENCE SIPALLA

Another take on Uwem Akpa's collection of short stories. A sympathetic review.


This anthology is a compelling read, bringing to the fore the plight of children who are usually the victims of conflict and other injustices such as child trafficking. The stories are set in five countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Gabon, Ethiopia and the author's homeland, Nigeria. As we travel these countries through the narration, adults who put children at risk in times of conflict are indicted" - Florence Sipalla.
ENJOY

Remembering Ekwensi's Spirit

I am not particularly hot on Cyprian Ekwensi, but I love this homage to him by Ikhide R. Ikheloa. It begins with these beautiful two lines: "Deep in America's grinding labour mines, my memories hear my childhood chiming the Angelus. I pause to luxuriate in the coming pleasure of tugging at the camphor smell of mama's wrapper."

There are other great lines sown in between. Lots of treats. So, good luck in your Easter egg hunt. HERE!!!

Say You're One of Them - Isobel Dixon

This one seems a bit late, but well, it helps. It is a beautiful review by Isobel Dixon.

Enjoy it here.

Say You're One of Them - Alyssa McDonald

Have you ever imagined a Catholic priest describing a sex scene in a work of fiction? It's surely like handling a hot potato. Many Nigerian commentators, including one reviewer I admire so much, you guess it, Ikhide, suggest that our own Uwem Akpan must have encountered such difficulty while writing his stories - Say You're One of Them. Even Helon Habila thinks that the title is a bit odd. I don't know.
Well, I was fishing for reviews of Nigerian writing in world news outlets and chanced on this one by Alyssa McDonald. It starts thus: "All the stories in Uwem Akpan's debut collection focus on the lives of African children, and all are bleak."
This doesn't sound promising, does it? Well, I invite you to read the whole review. I warn you, it's short. HERE YOU GO!

Silent Waters

Book: Silent Waters
Author: Okey Nwamadi
Reviewer: Ando Yeva

This looks like a beautiful review of a potentially bad book. I love the review; I am yet to read the book. Okay, friends, enjoy the good writing.