Reviews

No Edges: Swahili Stories by Lusajo Mwaikenda Israel, Mwas Mahugu, Clara Momanyi, Katama G.C. Mkangi, Euphrase Kezilahabi, Fatma Shafii, Lilian Mbaga, Fadhy Mtanga

mt_gilley's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Like all short story anthology, the quality is variable, but the good ones are very good, and it showcases a real variety and depth to modern Swahili writing. Will definitely be looking up a few of the writers to see what else is available in English.

freddiereadsalot's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

was bought for me by a friend, a lovely bunch of stories, the first two were my faves

ohwretchedme's review against another edition

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

jackalop3's review against another edition

challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

tzurriz's review

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

tichwi's review against another edition

4.0

 

Title: No Edges: Swahili Stories
Author: Sarah Coolidge (Editor), Lusajo Mwaikenda Israel, Euphrase Kezilahabi , Mwas Mahugu, Katama G. C. Mkangi , Clara Momanyi, Fadhy Mtanga, Fatma Shafii, Lilian Mbaga
Pages: 144
Source: Thank you to NetGalley and Two Lines Press
Genre: Short Stories (World Literature or Afrofuturism)
Intended Audience: Adult
Star Rating: 4-stars
Setting: East Africa

Recommended for: I would give this to someone who: truly enjoys traveling and cultures, enjoys ambiguous endings, reads translations often, and/or is looking for something a little different to read. 

Why I picked it up: I've been trying to read more short story collections (despite finding them difficult to review). I have also been trying to read more translated works. I want to read more book by Black authors. Check, check and check! It was a no brainer to grab this one. 

What it's all about: A collection of eight African writers, translated from Swahili. "No Edges introduces eight East African writers from Tanzania and Kenya as they share tales of sorcerers, Nairobi junkyards, cross-country bus rides, and spaceships that blast prisoners into eternity. Here we’re encouraged to explore the chaos of life on a crowded Earth, as well as the otherworldly realms lying just beyond our reach. Through language bursting with rhythm and vivid Africanfuturist visions, these writers summon the boundless future into being. The stories all take place in East Africa (Tanzania and Kenya)." - from the publisher. This book was already unique to me before opening the first page, as I find more West or North African books (authors and settings), and I have never read a Swahili translation.
tl/dr: Eight short stories that will take you in and out of this world by authors you have likely never read.  

My thoughts: I didn't bring any expectations about this book with me when I sat down to read it. It is a very quick read, though after some stories I needed to put the book down for a few minutes and let the words settle. Every story starts with a small paragraph in Swahili (I used Google Lens and translate to read them), and ends in some ambiguous way. It felt as though I was hearing such a small part of the story, like a friend telling the one part that is relevant to the main story they are telling. I love that! Sometimes, those small snapshots of life tell more than a whole book. Other stories stretched many years, giving a montage of a person's life and how it changed or didn't. 

Favorite Story: The Guest, the first story in the book. It reminded me of ghost stories I read growing up (especially that one about the girl who never removed her necklace). 

Favorite Character: Babu from "Nagona". I love the way that he keeps talking to his grandson, telling him things he needs to know, even as he (Babu) is dying. He talks of things that his family does not believe exist or will happen, until his very last breath. 

Favorite Moment: When Dzombo (from "Walenisi")  contemplates his own death, or more specifically, beings to contemplate the specifics of God.

Memorable Quotes: 

"For history is an indelible reality, one that is shaped in the minds of humans through narratives, understood through neither critical thinking nor logic."

"She believed that a reality founded on historical facts would never be ignored."

"The important things are thought, will, and purpose."

"I don't want to make you lose hope. I want you to be someone who loves trying." 

alexandriaslibrary's review

adventurous challenging reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

The first short story collection translated from Swahili to English. Some of the stories are translated with a more natural flow than others. 
Some of my favorites were “The Guest” which is about a young woman who invites over her lover to meet her family
“A Neighbor’s Pot” which is a fantastical story where a girl trips on a pot shard and ends up in a demonic realm
And “Attitudes” which is about a woman traveling on a bus of people who just don’t like her vibe (and she has some tummy issues!) 

Overall, I recommend to get a glimpse into other cultures (the authors are mostly Kenyan or Tanzanian) and to see the ways that stories are told (More of a fable vibe, character heavy, etc)