bailedThe NBA judges for translated lit obviously see something in this I don‘t. For me, it‘s as though it wasn‘t translated at all. I got the 36% and it feels like there‘s no narrative and nothing for me to grab onto, so I‘m giving it the boot.
NBA shortlist, translated literature
A children's picture book with lush illustrations. This one is a very good non-fiction about exotic fruit (exotic to Europeans, that is), written & illustrated by Dominique Mwankumi, an author originally from the #DemocraticRepublicOfTheCongo shortlisted 5 years in a row for the #AstridLindgrenMemorialAward. Given the number of copies of his various books in my local library network, he is well-known & loved, but I've only discovered him recently.
pick#readaroundtheworld #democraticrepublicofthecongo After reading my last Congo book I really wanted to learn more of the history of that region. This non-fiction well researched book provides great information about the atrocities the Belgian king and his henchmen visited upon the people of the Congo River watershed and the brave journalists and advocates who fought to make it known to the world. To paraphrase Kurtz: “the horror, the horror”
pick#readaroundtheworld #democraticrepublicofthecongo #zaire A short novel that starts as a relationship between a prostitute and a high level minister in the government and ever so slowly reveals itself as something more. Both our main characters have ties to their tribal culture and both believe that certain acts must be done to free themselves from uncertainty. Ultimately a metaphor for a country struggling with self determination.
pick5 ⭐
Using for:
#ReadingAfrica2022 #republicofcongo (he's not there much but it's a tricky country to find a book for!) @BarbaraBB
#192025 #2012 @Librarybelle
#booked2022 #titlerepeatsitself (alliteration with the c's) @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage
#pop22 #reflectedimage @Cortg @KarenUK @Megabooks @Kalalalatja @Laughterhp @RaeLovesToRead @squirrelbrain
pickThe author, a retired elite British soldier, canoed the Congo River almost entirely by himself and lived to tell about it! He started close to the river‘s source (the actual source being too small for his canoe) in northern #Zambia and traveled through the #DemocraticRepublicofCongo to the Atlantic Ocean. I learned so much about both countries. Almost everyone told him he‘d die, especially given the violence in the DR Congo. Sometimes it felt ⬇️
I just finished the tagged book for #Zambia #readingAfrica2022 but before I review the book I felt compelled to share my malachite elephants (and a bear behind them) I inherited from my mother-in-law. The family bought malachite beauties when they lived in Zambia and during their African travels. Among the pieces, these seemed most appropriate to post for Zambia. I love them so much for their beauty and family history.
I‘ve chosen my next audiobook. I‘m reading it for #Zambia but since the author traverses 21 countries I may count it for more. #readingAfrica2022 @Librarybelle @BarbaraBB
pickIn the same vein as other travelogues I read last year, this was light & entertaining and a fun way to learn more about a country I knew very little about. Phil Harwood sets out in a lone canoe to travel the Congo River starting in #Zambia and ending in #Angola 🛶Along the way there‘s 🐍🦟🦛🐊🕷to contend with as well as 🐲(cannibals)!!! Nothing outstanding here but still enjoyable #ReadingAfrica22 #Booked22 #AboutAnExpedition
#ReadingAfrica22 #Zambia #Booked2022 #AboutAnExploration 🎧
Phil Harwood, an Outwards Bound extreme sportsman attempts to canoe the Congo River until he reaches the Atlantic Ocean solo. It‘s a bonkers idea but one he becomes obsessed with accomplishing. So far he‘s encountered numerous crocodiles 🐊 and lovely locals.
