Description

Presenting a diverse and dazzling collection from all over the continent, from Morocco to Zimbabwe, Uganda to Kenya. Helon Habila focuses on younger, newer writers – contrasted with some of their older, more established peers – to give a fascinating picture of a new and more liberated Africa.

These writers are characterized by their engagement with the wider world and the opportunities offered by the end of apartheid, the end of civil wars and dictatorships, and the possibilities of free movement. Their work is inspired by travel and exile. They are liberated, global and expansive. As Dambudzo Marechera wrote: ‘If you’re a writer for a specific nation or specific race, then f*** you.” These are the stories of a new Africa, punchy, self-confident and defiant.

Includes stories by: 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature Winner Abdulrazak Gurnah; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Fatou Diome; Aminatta Forna; Manuel Rui; Patrice Nganang; Leila Aboulela; Zoe Wicomb; Alaa Al Aswany; Doreen Baingana; E.C. Osondu.

Publisher Review

'A timely anthology of short stories [that] reveals the strength of contemporary African fiction'Ruth Franklin, "Prospect" (01/09/11) 'Granta's continuing energy and brio make it shine among publishers. Many of the writers deserve an audience beyond their national boundaries; Granta has manoeuvred itself into a unique position where it is the only publisher which not only can do this, but do it fantastically well. Helon Habila has made a good fist of an almost impossible task. The overall feel of this collection is big, brave and intricately interwoven ... There is a clutch of terrific stories here for almost every kind of reader' Chris Dolan, "Herald" (03/09/11) 'The majority of authors in the collection are lively and innovative and paint a good picture of emerging African talent ... Granta's new collection shows a generation of engaging and talented writers coming out of Africa. Habila suggests that with the spread of the internet across the continent in the past fifteen yea A timely anthology of short stories [that] reveals the strength of contemporary African fiction. Ruth Franklin, "Prospect" (01/09/11)Granta's continuing energy and brio make it shine among publishers. Many of the writers deserve an audience beyond their national boundaries; Granta has manoeuvred itself into a unique position where it is the only publisher which not only can do this, but do it fantastically well. Helon Habila has made a good fist of an almost impossible task. The overall feel of this collection is big, brave and intricately interwoven ... There is a clutch of terrific stories here for almost every kind of reader. Chris Dolan, "Herald" (03/09/11) The majority of authors in the collection are lively and innovative and paint a good picture of emerging African talent ... Granta's new collection shows a generation of engaging and talented writers coming out of Africa. Habila suggests that with the spread of the internet across the continent in the past fifteen years, short fiction has found a new outlet for publication and will continue to gain exposure across the globe where previously it would never have done. Things can only get better, Habila hints, although to be honest they were pretty good to start with. Tom Little, "Think Africa Press "(06/09/11) The skill and sophistication of African authors is on display throughout this rich and rewarding book.Joan Smith, "The Times" (10/09/11) Brings together some of the most exciting voices from this generation of Afropolitans. Ellah Allfrey, "Daily Telegraph "Review (10/09/11) A sense of often painful transition echoes through these snapshots; as does a defiance in the face of all that can be thrown at these modern Africans. Siobhan Murphy, "Metro "Book of the Week (15/09/11) The skill and sophistication of African authors is on display throughout this rich and rewarding book - Joan Smith, The Times Brings together some of the most exciting voices from this generation - Daily Telegraph It is an anthology about the agonies of love and war, about family, about longing for home, about transplantation in unaccustomed earth ... The Granta Book of the African Short Story shows, wherever and by whomever they are published, Africa has writers of depth and talent with a multitude of stories as diverse as the continent's countries, cultures and peoples - Petina Gappah, Financial Times From Morocco to Namibia, this nutritious harvest of 29 tales spans a tumultuous continent with selections from many of its finest modern writers. These stories of hardship, of adventure and survival, defy easy generalisations but prove that fiction thrives from Casablanca to the Cape - Independent Habila has gathered together many of the biggest names around, including six writers in translation, as well as many authors one expects to hear more of in the future. This book is a landmark, a historic record and, most of all, a celebration of what has been an unprecedented decade for African fiction - Guardian