[(Bound to Secrecy)] [By (author) Vamba Sherif] published on

by Vamba Sherif

Steeped in the tradition of supernatural detective fiction and exploring the use and abuse of power in dysfunctional governments, this novel begins with the arrival of William Mawolo, a stranger from the capital, in a border town somewhere in Africa. On a secret mission to investigate the disappearance of the local chief, Mawolo is hampered by the suspicion of the local population, particularly Makemeh, the daughter of the missing chief, whose apparent indifference to her father's disappearance emboldens Mawolo to draw closer to her. As time goes by and no one in the capital orders him back, Mawolo decides to go above his official authority and take charge of the town, but this move only bolsters his ego and antagonizes the locals further?at which point he realizes that learning the secrets of the town might just bring about his own demise.

Genres: Africa, Mystery, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Vamba Sherif is a novelist, essayist, speaker, book and film critic. He’s a lecturer in African Literature at Leiden University. His work has appeared in many languages, including Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, and the Indian Malayalam. He has also published essays, stories, film reviews, columns and opinion pieces in The New York Times, the German Kulturaustausch, African Writing, Trouw, Volkskrant, NRC and ZAM-Magazine, among many others. With Ebissé Rouw, he compiled Black: Afro-European literature in the Netherlands and Belgium, a unique anthology of Afro-European experience in the Low Countries. About his work the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung wrote: 'Vamba Sherif creates whirlpools of Shakespearean intensity.'

Reviews

[Kiran Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound to Secrecy is a short novel written by Vamba Sherif set in a village in Liberia. The language is gripping and captivating, and the novel is very informative about the lifestyle of Liberia, which I knew very little about before reading the novel. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants anything well-written and full of hidden charms. Sherif is absolutely a writer to watch.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Mowolo es un hombre de ciudad que llega en ómnibus al pequeño pueblo de Wologizi, protegido y aislado entre montañas. El pueblo, en sus dos acepciones, como localidad y como conjunto indefinido de la población que lo habita, y sus secretos serán los grandes protagonistas de la historia.

Mawolo llega con una misión, encomendada por el Gran Presidente Vitalicio, conocido afectuosa y reverencialmente como el anciano: descubrir qué se esconde tras la misteriosa desaparición del cacique que había sido designado.

Su primera impresión es la de un pueblo indolente, que se rige por costumbres muy básicas y tradicionales, y confía que sus habilidades serán suficientes para alcanzar su objetivo.

Pero se comienza a encontrar, en sus intentos de hablar con diferentes personajes de la población, que uno desmiente rotundamente lo que había dicho el anterior. ¿Quién miente? ¿O acaso todo mienten? Y a pesar de los esfuerzos no logra avanzar, y su estructura lógica de pensamiento comienza a flaquear, llevándolo a la confusión y a una creciente impaciencia e irracionalidad. Y no lo ayuda la sombra y la presencia de la enigmática y atractiva Makemeh.

El estilo narrativo es correcto, aunque me pareció que la faltaba ese arte que permite que todo fluya armoniosamente. (He pensado que tal vez vengo con la vara alta por los últimos libros que he leído). Un buena historia, en la que la razón con frecuencia se pone en duda ante la posibilidad de lo sobrenatural.

“Uno de los aspectos más importantes de ser un líder era la capacidad para llevar siempre la máscara de la calma que ocultaba distintas emociones, incluido el dolor”

Vamba Sherif nació en Liberia en 1973, y residió desde su adolescencia en Kuwait y otros países. El contexto de la novela no parece guardar mucha relación con la realidad sociopolítica de Liberia.
Liberia fue un experimento de país. En el siglo XIX. el territorio fue comprado por EEUU a Senegal, para "devolver" a los negros después de la abolición de la esclavitud, generando una brecha entre los libertos "repatriados" y los habitantes previos de la región.

[Rob Kitchin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bound to Secrecy is a relatively short novel (183 pages) set in rural Liberia, that blends together elements of crime fiction and political and social observation concerning the intersection of community and familial relations in a small town, local power and governance from a distance, and rational and supernatural beliefs. The tale follows the exploits of William Mawolo, considered a rising star in the Ministry of the Interior, as he tries to discover what happened to a local chief who has disappeared. His every move is either countered or tentatively supported by the local townspeople as they try to gauge who is most likely to win out, the local power players or the man sent by the national government. All the time, Mawolo is never sure what is truth and lies and who to trust or fear and he becomes increasingly assertive, impulsive and erratic. The tale is quite tightly told in expressive prose and it unfolds at a steady clip. However, the reader is dropped straight into the tale and my sense was some additional historical and political context throughout would have been useful. Moreover, the narrative is a little jerky, seemingly turning through a series of right angles as Mawolo falls out with locals or his mood swings. The result was an interesting read, but one in which I was never quite fully hooked.

[Tutankhamun18 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story set in a rural border town of Liberia that is crime investigation meets the supernatural. The writing was simplistic at times, and conjured beautiful imagery or descriptions at others — so I REALLY liked it. Parts of the plot developed or shifted very quickly and this left the reading feeling somewhat confused at times.

[Simeon · Rating 2 out of 5]

bit to simplistic in places, actions happening without explanation. lacking detail and trading that for a style I couldnt quite get into. Im not sure if thats something lost in the cultural translation or just not my cup of tea.

Some aspects I enjoyed but not enough to recommend this.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading around the world: Liberia

Set in a rural Liberian border town, the story follows William , a man from the capital, who is sent on a secret mission to uncover the mysterious disappearance of the Paramount chief, Tetese.

[Tumelo Moleleki · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of a boarder town with a secret. Supernatural stuff. A quick and easy read. Interesting to discover that concept ya lebollo wears many faces in different parts of Africa.

[Jantine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this African kind of style with long descriptions. Sometimes the stories are a bit too 'not-on-(my kind of)-earth' for me to fully grasp or get into it. Though I hold warm memories to have met Vamba Sherif and to have been to an African concert with him.