Great African Reads discussion

Hello everyone,

I must apologize all over myself for the lateness of setting up this thread, but we need your suggestions for books from or about Mauritius!

From A Basket of Leaves: 99 Books That Capture the Spirit of Africa i can recommend Journey to Mauritius and The Book of Color.

So let's hear some titles of books you'd like to read for our tour stop in Mauritius and I will set up a poll in a few days...

I nominate Sens-Plastique by Malcolm de Chazal. It is a collection of aphorisms from Mauritian writer/artist de Chazal, who was hailed as a surrealist by André Breton. It is not a story per se and so does not have a setting. It just occurred to me that it might not fit within the rules of the challenge because of this. What is the verdict?

Here is a list of Mauritian writers.
I did not know J.M.G. Le Clézio is Mauritian. I wonder if any of his books are set in Mauritius? I will definitely investigate.

Here is a J.M.G. Le Clézio novel set in Mauritius: The Prospector.

Disclaimer: I have read none of these; I just did a couple of searches to see what turned up on Mauritius that looked interesting.

The Rape Of Sita
The Last Brother
The Prisoner of Paradise
Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons: A Journey to the Flora and Fauna of a Unique Island

And oh my gosh, Myriam, that Wikipedia link and its connected links are going to provide such glorious distraction...

Myriam, i'm not familiar with the Chazal book at all but i'm intrigued. if his aphorisms/essays give any insight into life on Mauritius, i think it could count. I'll look into it. I think you should plan to read it no matter what since we are pretty casual with the Tour and i can tell you are really game to read it. :)

Thanks for adding to the list Liralen!

After looking into it, it seems that Sens-Plastique does not discuss Mauritius. It appears to be about flowers and love. So, I would take back my nomination. I will just read it on my own :)

Flowers and love...that's not about Mauritius? ;)

At the very least you have brought an author from a little-known place to the attention of some of us. :)

All the books mentioned so far sound sooo interesting! It will be a hard decision when decision time comes.

Liralen wrote: "Disclaimer: I have read none of these; I just did a couple of searches to see what turned up on Mauritius that looked interesting.

The Rape Of Sita
The Last Brother
The Prisoner of Paradise
Golden..."

I strongly recommend The Last Brother and
The Prospector

Any update on the Mauritius read?

Thanks!

Liralen wrote: "Any update on the Mauritius read?

Thanks!"

Apologies, Liralen (and everybody)...Muphyn and I have both been swamped but i'm going to set up the poll right now.

WE HAVE A TIE!

it's between The Rape Of Sita and The Last Brother with 8 votes a piece.

Would you all prefer a run-off or to include them both as official group reads?

Run off!

It does not matter to me as only The Last Brother is available for me. I will be unable to secure The Rape of Sita.

I'm in the same boat as Beverly-- The Rape of Sita looks very good but I won't be able to get a copy.

Ha...I had the opposite problem. So I think I definitely won't do a runoff then...

Hello...i finally opened a thread for discussions:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...