Great African Reads discussion

Our second selection for our inaugural Featured Country project is Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria, which we are reading alongside A History of Nigeria.
Happy Reading!

I have requested the book from my library. Not sure if I will re-read the entire book but will need to refresh my mind. I do remember really enjoying this book.

I also remember really enjoying it. I read it on my kindle but I can't remember if it was a library loan or if I actually have it...must check.

I have a copy of this have been waiting to read it - is there a set timeframe to read it?

Aaarg - don't worry just read the thread heading - DOH!

Sally, i just labeled in January since that is when we are beginning, but there isn't a timeframe. This book is a really fast read, though. :)

She's an amazing writer. I'm slowly savouring it!

Just downloaded this book last evening and I'm looking forward to reading it. I'll tackle this one first before, maybe, picking up the other read on Nigeria as this book looks a little easier to read and my time is limited.

I cannot give this book a higher rating than I have. Well worth the time and first rating writing.

Fabulous. I've just finished it. Really opened my eyes to the many wonders of Nigeria, artistic heritage and city life jagga jagga!. I can really identify with her split loyalties - British/Nigerian - empirical individualistic versus communal and tribal. Her merit is that she is truly a fabulous writer and I hope to see more books by her. I also have to say that as a non-fiction book it makes for an incredibly pleasant read.

I just saw this. I'm so glad you enjoyed it Laura! Did it inspire any ideas of what books you'd like to read this year from Nigeria?

I also agree as a non-fiction book I really enjoyed it. Lately I have found that reading non-fiction books by those with a "journalist" background makes for a very enjoyable read.

After reading this book I had a much better feel for Nigeria as a whole.

Here is a link to a 2013 interview with Noo Sara-Wiwa. And also hope she gets a publishing deal for another book.

http://www.africabookclub.com/?p=13725

Thanks for sharing that, Beverly. Really nice interview. I think the large Nigerian diaspora is an interesting factor in Nigeria's contemporary literature.

Marieke, before this book I knew very little about the environmental issues in Nigeria. Id quite like to read her father's book actually but I imagine it s not easily available. Id also like to read something about tribal relations. it s such a huge country!

Laura wrote: "Marieke, before this book I knew very little about the environmental issues in Nigeria. Id quite like to read her father's book actually but I imagine it s not easily available. Id also like to rea..."

Not sure if you read this book - it is fiction.
Oil on Water: A Novel by Helon Habila.
It is about the Niger Delta region & its people and about oil.

Beverly thanks!! I havent. Im going to add it to my list.

http://thisisafrica.me/need-new-stories/
Hi all, thought you might like to read this article about storytelling and travel writing. Saro-w is mentioned. i think it makes for an interesting read

Laura, Thank you for the link. This is an interesting discussion on travel writing. I look forward to Part 2. The two other travel books mentioned, by African writers, seem worth reading also.

Laura wrote: "http://thisisafrica.me/need-new-stories/
Hi all, thought you might like to read this article about storytelling and travel writing. Saro-w is mentioned. i think it makes for an interesting read"

Thanks for sharing.
I am a fan of travel writing, especially in the vein of Looking for Transwonderland.
I liked at the end of part 2 - it listed resources and links. I will probably check out a couple of the blogs.

yes, some good links and alternative perspectives. Larry the link to Part 2 is at the end of part 1.

Apologies for my long absence from this group!
I read this book recently:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...