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One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir | Binyavanga Wainaina

so-so

3âï¸s

Read for #readtheworld2025

Memoir about a man‘s life in Kenya. I found it interesting and very specific to Wainaina‘s life. A mix of coming of age and details of how he became a writer.

#kenya

GatheringBooks

GatheringBooks I don‘t think i‘ve ever read a book from Kenya yet. Stacked! 4d

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Tea_and_Starstuff

One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir | Binyavanga Wainaina

pick

A fascinating look at Kenya through one man's memoir. Language was a beautiful recurring theme in this - English is the official language of Kenya, but also the language of the outside world. Kiswahili is the proud language of the independent nation - but a nation painted over individual tribes. The individual tribal languages draw and divide people in different ways - across country lines into neighboring nations. (continue...)

Tea_and_Starstuff Also! I learned the author is a gay man who was closeted as he wrote this, and I'm glad I knew it before reading. It's so interesting how he talks about growing up while talking around the issue of attraction, and who he desires. He wrote an article, available free online, called, â€œI am a homosexual, mumâ€œ that serves as a beautiful, heartbreaking epilogue talking about his identity as a gay man. (continue...) (edited) 2y

Tea_and_Starstuff This story wasn't an easy read - the rhythm of language was different from what I was used to. But it was a rewarding one - I learned a lot about a place I knew almost nothing about. I'm looking forward to reading books by Ugandan and Rwandan authors - the region is so bound together and this book made me think about how national lines were imposed on Africa from the outside. I'm glad I spent the time with the book. 2y

BookmarkTavern Oh this is a gorgeous cover. â¤ï¸ 2y

Tea_and_Starstuff @ozma.of.oz - yes! It's such a good art piece. 2y

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Tea_and_Starstuff

One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir | Binyavanga Wainaina

I've decided on the country I'm reading a book from for this month's #doublespin. The challenge was a country starting with J-M, and I've decided on K is for Kenya! One Day I Will Write About This Place is a memoir from a young man growing up in Kenya during the 80's and 90's. So far the writing style is (as expected) different from what I'm used to, that foregrounds the personal and day-to-day. I'll let y'all know what I think when I'm done!

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shawnmooney

One Day I Will Write about This Place. Binyavanga Wainaina | Binyavanga Wainaina

https://youtu.be/WkNKK6lMhoY

A playlist of all episodes in the Bite-sized Book Chat series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU-61cZp1pQdBH5V0Zb9q-2ujl4PY8nhf

Chat #1: with Bernie from Jersey City

One Day I Will Write About This Place: A Memoir by Binyavanga Wainaina

Centique

shawnmooney Chat #2: with my cousin Erin from Saskatoon

Best Wishes, Warmest Regards: The Story of Schitt's Creek by Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara (Contributor), Annie Murphy (Contributor), Emily Hampshire (Contributor), Jennifer Robertson (Contributor), Tim Rozon (Contributor), Chris Elliott (Contributor)

Chat #3: Paula from Auckland

No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod 3y

shawnmooney Chat #4: with Chitra from Manipur, India (living in Delhi)

Chemmeen by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Anita Nair, Translator 3y

LeahBergen @Centique ! ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ 3y

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Centique @LeahBergen thank you Leah. Talking to Shawn is always a treat isn‘t it? ðŸ˜ 3y

Cathythoughts @Centique oh great Paula , I‘ll have a listen later today ðŸ‘ðŸ˜ 3y

Cathythoughts @Centique So interesting Paula , what immigration means for a family .. the loss , the longing.. the confusion of identity.. where is home . I really enjoyed your chat with Shawn. I must read