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Exhale: African queer anthology
Exhale is a queer anthology wrapped in the idea of a release, a letting go, breathing out. An orgasm. These are the stories that come out when you play sip or spill, truth or dare, never have I ever and lasts longer than 7 minutes in heaven. With sexual experiences from all over Africa, this anthology introduces some exciting new literary voices and brings you some of your established favourites.
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2020
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242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 1, 2021
Do I even have the words to explain how much I loved this anthology? And if you were wondering the answer is no. But omg - the representation, the writing, the way sexuality was explored? *chefs kiss*
I remember tearing up while reading this anthology because not only was I happy that something like this exists, but I got to experience queer joy. Experiencing Exhale was not only about sex, it was about reading affirming sexual representations of different bodies. The stories featured trans people, fat people, disabled people and the list goes on. I experienced stories where grief wasn’t necessarily trauma-related which is so rare to see (understandably so). I experienced stories so tender in their love that I cried (more happy tears), stories so exhilarating that I had to take a moment to breath.
I’ve always struggled with sharing my thoughts after reading a short story collection but I guess this is when I share my favourite stories because why not?
💘 The Sweetest Ache by Mercy Thokozane Minah/ X. I don’t even have a reason 😂 maybe because it was the first in the collection and marked that I was going to have the TIME of my life.
💘Jigida and the Mouth Thing by Cisi Eze. This story was set in South Nigeria, 1881. I find it so important to write queerness into history, a reminder of how ancient homosexuality is.
💘Everyone We Love Can’t Be Saved by Kabelo S. Motsoeneng. This one made me shed tears, but also I loved that the protagonist was a sex worker, in a relationship.
Oh and I have a smol critique. While I know that children are curious and have sex, I wasn’t comfortable with the depiction of it in one of the stories. It was minuscule in the grander scheme of things but still thought I’d share ✨
All in all, like I said I LOVED THIS SO MUCH AND DEFINITELY THINK YOU SHOULD READ IT 🗣
I remember tearing up while reading this anthology because not only was I happy that something like this exists, but I got to experience queer joy. Experiencing Exhale was not only about sex, it was about reading affirming sexual representations of different bodies. The stories featured trans people, fat people, disabled people and the list goes on. I experienced stories where grief wasn’t necessarily trauma-related which is so rare to see (understandably so). I experienced stories so tender in their love that I cried (more happy tears), stories so exhilarating that I had to take a moment to breath.
I’ve always struggled with sharing my thoughts after reading a short story collection but I guess this is when I share my favourite stories because why not?
💘 The Sweetest Ache by Mercy Thokozane Minah/ X. I don’t even have a reason 😂 maybe because it was the first in the collection and marked that I was going to have the TIME of my life.
💘Jigida and the Mouth Thing by Cisi Eze. This story was set in South Nigeria, 1881. I find it so important to write queerness into history, a reminder of how ancient homosexuality is.
💘Everyone We Love Can’t Be Saved by Kabelo S. Motsoeneng. This one made me shed tears, but also I loved that the protagonist was a sex worker, in a relationship.
Oh and I have a smol critique. While I know that children are curious and have sex, I wasn’t comfortable with the depiction of it in one of the stories. It was minuscule in the grander scheme of things but still thought I’d share ✨
All in all, like I said I LOVED THIS SO MUCH AND DEFINITELY THINK YOU SHOULD READ IT 🗣
June 25, 2022
Actual rating, 3.5 ⭐️
January 7, 2021
Absolute fire! Give African Queer writers everything!! The representation, the sheer, bold rawness in each story, the exploration of sexuality, the writing. Oh the writing is absolutely superb. A must-read for all queer folk; this one is wholeheartedly for us!
June 10, 2021
I've been reading this book for a while and been stuck halfway for weeks before I eventually finished it. Even read some books inbetween reading it. I'm uncertain how I feel about it it really but all in all... I felt it as something fresh and different. Stories on queer relationships. I had favourites amongst these. These being, Biology Practicals, Everyone we love can't be saved Jigida and the Mouth thing and The sweetest ache.
December 26, 2020
This was my second LGBTQIA+ book after I read If I stay right here(a toxic story of a lesbian couple) so I'm still kinda new. It was different because most stories were non-binary with the pronouns they/them. I loved all the 14 stories, each with its uniqueness but all bringing out the same result....the desire and its climax. Be sure to give it a try especially if you want to experience something different.
June 15, 2021
Faves include:
The Sweetest Ache
Sizwe Wants to Make Love
She Was Made of Sunlight
Jigida and the Mouth Thing
Biology Practicals (this sh*t took me back 😂)
A worthwhile collection.
The Sweetest Ache
Sizwe Wants to Make Love
She Was Made of Sunlight
Jigida and the Mouth Thing
Biology Practicals (this sh*t took me back 😂)
A worthwhile collection.
October 26, 2024
"They both understood that love was an ache - one that two people allowed themselves to feel for each other because of the sweetness hidden inside that ache. The sweetness of whispered words & trembling orgasms. The sweetness of completion & unison".
I don't often strip for books but when I do, I make sure that book is damn good!
From a babe that's read erotica a la Mills & Boon when she was a tad too young for it, this was such a breathe of fresh air. It was exhilarating & it left me brimming with lust & desire. From the wet dreams to wax play to masturbating, sex work & spontaneous sex.
Oh man! A babe was mad horny here.
This collection is not only about sexacapades & orgasms but the different bodies that experience desire, lust & love. Disabled bodies, fat bodies, trans bodies & cis bodies. It's raw, it's sexy, it's sensitive, and it will you leave wanting more.
Read it!
Reread in 2024 and I must say that I still appreciate this anthology very much.
I don't often strip for books but when I do, I make sure that book is damn good!
From a babe that's read erotica a la Mills & Boon when she was a tad too young for it, this was such a breathe of fresh air. It was exhilarating & it left me brimming with lust & desire. From the wet dreams to wax play to masturbating, sex work & spontaneous sex.
Oh man! A babe was mad horny here.
This collection is not only about sexacapades & orgasms but the different bodies that experience desire, lust & love. Disabled bodies, fat bodies, trans bodies & cis bodies. It's raw, it's sexy, it's sensitive, and it will you leave wanting more.
Read it!
Reread in 2024 and I must say that I still appreciate this anthology very much.
February 3, 2022
Exhale: African queer anthology by various African writers. I remember I was so excited when I bought this book, I didn't regret it was to buy. I do not know where to start Love, Sex, Sexuality all in one book.
📚Everyone we love can't be saved the ended of that story left me in a comma 😂I really enjoyed every story in this book. Loved the writing well craft and it was puting me through imagination.
📚Everyone we love can't be saved the ended of that story left me in a comma 😂I really enjoyed every story in this book. Loved the writing well craft and it was puting me through imagination.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews