Bitterness

by Malama Katulwende

This is one of the most realistic and passionate contemporary novels about the life of young people in today's Africa, written by Malama Katulwende, a young Zambian poet and intellectual. It describes the seeming incompatibility of old African traditions and modern life, depicts the political struggle of Zambia's students, and the hope and despair of the book's main character, his family, lover, and friends. Based on real events, this novel provides an insight into African history, daily life, and culture, at the example of an oppressive society. Imagine Europe's revoltes of 1968 in Austral Africa...

Genres: Fiction, Zambia, Africa, World Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2005

About the author

Malama Katulwende was born in the Luapula Province of Zambia. He was educated in Catholic Seminary Schools in order to become a diocesan priest,but decided to enter the University of Zambia instead.

Malama has taught science and mathematics in high schools and is currently operations partner for LUAPULA ARTLAND, a new company whose core business is the design, promotion and marketing of art and art-related products and services in Zambia.

Malama has published poetry in an anthology titled,"Under the African Skies: Poetry from Zambia"

He has also published his first major work,"Bitterness", which won the Julius Chongo Award 2006 for the Best Creative Writing at the Ngoma Awards. He is writing another book.

Reviews

[Malama Katulwende · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about the dynamics of the brain-drain
in Zambia. It explores the social, economic and political forces which impel young people to migrate abroad. It is philosophical, analytical and romantic too...Anyone should read it!

[Grant Earnest · Rating 2 out of 5]

I respect this novel, and enjoyed parts of it. It served it's purpose as a fine introduction to the history and culture of Zambia. The story is a Bildungsroman told primarily from the perspective of Besa, a student entering the University of Zambia, who faces the challenge of pursuing an independent, self-determined life in a communal tribal society, for example whether to choose his own wife or allow his family to arrange his marriage.

The most enjoyable and best written parts of the novel are from the perspective of Besa's father, a keeper of the village shrine and thus the traditional Zambian ways of life. These passages are rich with proverbs and, what presumably, is translated idiomatic Bemba. In contrast, the least interesting sections are the romantic dialogues between Besa and his girlfriends, which tend to be didactic and boring. Too many of Besa's passages--Socratic dialogues and intellectual essays--seem written to show the author's extensive education rather than show Besa's--and Zambia's--struggle with modernity. In general this book takes itself too seriously and is notably lacking in humor. Read strictly to educate yourself about Zambia, not for entertainment.