Great African Reads discussion

Planning:

Benin Thread of Gold Beads Completed 14 August 4 stars
Burundi This Voice in My Heart: A Runner's Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness or Small Country
Egypt The Map of Love Completed 10 October 2019 5 stars
Guinea The Black Terrorist Completed 28 December 2019 5 stars
Tunisia Hassouna Mosbahi Completed 2 January 2019

While checking books to read for the Bingo Challenge, I found a reference to Tunisian author Hassouna Mosbahi. I found two of his short stories and have thus completed the first country. The stories can be read here: http://intranslation.brooklynrail.org...
I also found a copy of his story that was shortlisted for the Caine prize - The Tortoise and read that.

Lovely language.

Completed Benin - Thread of Gold Beads

It is wonderful to read historical fiction set in Africa that is not written from a Western perspective and that sheds light on remote corners of African history. This is a beautiful love story with a wonderful plot full of twists and interesting characters. I loved it and look forward to more books by this author.

Completed Egypt - The Map of Love

This is the best book I have read in ages. Absolutely wonderful, I was completely bereft at the thought of leaving the characters behind at the end of it. Highly, highly recommend this.

Well done Carolien

Completed Guinea - The Black Terrorist. This was a wonderful discovery. It recounts the contribution of the author's uncle to WWII and the French Resistance. It sheds light on the role of soldiers from African colonies in the war and also provides information on the establishment of the French Resistance. So glad I read this one.

This has probably been my favourite challenge of the year. It forced me to read books which would not have made it to my TBR under any circumstances and I have loved each of them.

I have started Small Country for Burundi, but may not finish it before the end of the year.