Hotel Africa

by Helen Moffett (Editor), Karen Jennings (Editor), Agazit Abate (Editor)

For this sixth collection of stories seeking the most innovative writing emerging from the continent, we asked for stories of Africa’s hotels: grand and shabby, real and imaginary, pulsating with life and abandoned. Here, it’s not just the walls that speak (and weep); the corridors, kitchens, lobbies, bars and beds all have stories to tell. But none more so than the array of characters jostling each other across these pages: tourists, cleaners, children, beggars, honeymooners, cooks, soldiers, those travelling hopefully.

Check in to meet captive maternal progenitors, a dragon-breathed gangster, a herd of mystical donkeys, competing chefs, a prosperity pastor, and more.

Check in to read stories of anonymous hookups, the pitfalls of nostalgia, surviving a colonial past, imagining astonishing futures.

Check in to hear a chorus of irresistible voices -- from Cameroon to Zambia, from Egypt to Malawi.

Check in to Hotel Africa.

Includes the winning story, "Happy City Hotel" by Adam El Shalakany.

Genres: Africa

284 pages, Paperback

Published March 31, 2020

Reviews

[Nerine Dorman]

Can't rate 'cos I proofread this. Absolutely STUNNING and RIVETING collection of African fiction. Don't miss out.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I put this down and picked it up so many times, but I'm glad that I finished it. The stories are wildly different one from another, and fresh and unique, and not stereotypical. Some of the stories that stuck with me the most are the ones that made me the most
uncomfortable. Through this, I have discovered a number of writers who I really enjoyed and I otherwise would never had found.

[Annette Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of great short stories, all set in Africa and all have some kind of hotel in them somewhere. Apart from those wide parameters the stories couldn't be more different from one another in form, style, content, characters etc. A really good, enjoyable read.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great selection of short stories that span the African continent. You won't find poverty porn or the usual cliches but a range of engaging stories set in or around hotels. Most are beautifully written and well constructed stories with memorable characters. My favourite, The Snore Monitor by Chido Muchemwa, is the bitter sweet story of Hamu a hotel worker who has to resort to a range of strategies ensure that peace is maintained in a silent wing of a resort hotel in South Africa, so that she can keep her job and maintain her precarious existence. Of Birds and Seeds by Davina Philomena Kawuma covers a lot of ground in a hilarious exploration of female friendship set during a Rolex cooking festival in Uganda. Nkiacha Atemnkeng humourously explores how food can define national identify in the The Joloff Cook-Off. Slow Road to the Winburg Hotel by Paul Morris takes us on a tense road trip that could end in in tragedy but instead becomes a tale about salvation, kindness and trust.

I plan to explore more of this writing through the Caine Short Story prize anthologies. They are very good value and can be bought online through The Internationalist from ethical suppliers.

[Camryn McKinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book of short stories that I have read and I really enjoyed this format of storytelling. Having all the stories set in hotels and told through different perspectives made it interesting to see how each story twisted and turned. Would definitely recommend if you are looking for a lighter read or inspiration to spark creative thinking.

[Morefiiyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of a good Anthology- these were great stories- I love the Short story format of African Writing, soo much energy and details packed into them- A lot left to the imagination and longing for more...thought provoking. Its a great way to discover new writing talents-this did not disappoint and I look forward to reading more of the authors featured.

[Lethu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maintenance Check was my favourite story .. But loved the read.

[Ian Hefele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived and worked in Africa for four years, my base was "Hotel Africa" in Maputo. Loved Reading Stories from all over the continent that I imagined taking place in a hotel in Africa