The other presence

by Sifiso Nyati

Death, death can be viewed differently, so common with African tribes, there are always other factors at play, regarding someones death in a village.

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Adri]

I had to read this as part of my african literature course. I found it alot of superstitious dribble wherin the the characters were gossip whores who broke into random, senseless fights.

Withcraft, AIDS, tribal customs, weird church services and rediculously convoluted speach featured. Dazzlingly horrendous monologue example: "You see, I am an old man and what my sister-in-law forgets is that a reed may be old, yet it holds an impeccable record of killing barbel fish. You see, my mouth might hold the stench of all the world's known foods that I have feasted on, but what it issues holds the potency to mould (interjection: Editor? Were you on crack?) I grieve at the bottomless pit of my heart at the passing away of my brother and his orphaned infants. I do not believe his intestines were rotten."

I can only say I'm glad it's over. The visits from "supernatural" omens like twin whirlwinds, a hooting owl and a vulture aside, the fact that in the story a python tears a chunk of flesh from a ladies arm had me dying a little on the inside.

I think this books is an insult to all talented African writers everywhere, and I find it impossible to understand how this particular author has won awards for his writing.

[Oscar Oscar]

This is a very good book, African village setting. Death, death, sweet death. manly will disagreed, So I have to say evil death, especially the way death is perceived in many African villages. You could be viewed as responsible of someone's death, without you you even knowing it, the whole village knows and talking .

[Levvity Julia]

I came across this book, when I was doing my module for English, its not really the genre I read, but I was hooked. As a Namibian, this book cover the realistic community issues, faces in rural part of my country, and it give a voice to the voiceless people within my country. There are taboo topics which are not spoken openly in my society, or let me say avoided by all cost , such as HIV/AIDS stigma, witchcraft, religion, pain, bereavement, and culture. I would recommend parents, schools, as well as public libraries to have this book in their shelves to educate, and move toward a better tomorrow with a generation with a voice.