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chaostalking's review
3.0
As is typical of an anthology of this variety, my thoughts on each story were incredibly mixed, making it hard to come to a consensus regarding this overall reading experience. Some stories were hits, some were misses. But I am always grateful to the Caine Prize and these anthologies for introducing me to a crop of African writers to keep an eye out for in the future.
Highlights include the superb “Involution” by Stacy Hardy, a godsend in what’s turning out to be a middling reading year overall; “Calling the Clouds Home” by Heran T. Abate and “Ngozi” by Bongani Sibanda. A special mention goes out to Eloghosa Osunde’s “Grief Is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open”, which I had already read last year as one in a series of interconnected short stories featured in her debut novel <i>Vagabonds!</i> and was a delight to revisit here.
Highlights include the superb “Involution” by Stacy Hardy, a godsend in what’s turning out to be a middling reading year overall; “Calling the Clouds Home” by Heran T. Abate and “Ngozi” by Bongani Sibanda. A special mention goes out to Eloghosa Osunde’s “Grief Is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open”, which I had already read last year as one in a series of interconnected short stories featured in her debut novel <i>Vagabonds!</i> and was a delight to revisit here.
nakutski's review
4.0
This was a rarity for an anthology: mostly hits rather than misses for me. My personal favourites in no particular order:
"Involution" by Stacy Hardy
"Fanta Blackcurrant" by Makena Onjerika
"Wednesday's Story" by Wole Talabi
"Grief is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open" by Eloghosa Osunde
"Where Rivers go to Die" by Dilamn Dila
They were all striking and powerful. Will keep an eye out on the authors and their writing careers.
"Involution" by Stacy Hardy
"Fanta Blackcurrant" by Makena Onjerika
"Wednesday's Story" by Wole Talabi
"Grief is the Gift that Breaks the Spirit Open" by Eloghosa Osunde
"Where Rivers go to Die" by Dilamn Dila
They were all striking and powerful. Will keep an eye out on the authors and their writing careers.
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