Great African Reads discussion

Hi guys! Deepest apologies for such a delay. We will be reading from/about Lesotho in July and August. Does anyone have suggestions for a poll? so far I've got Singing Away the Hunger: The Autobiography of an African Woman

Chaka by Thomas Mofolo. It is also a 1001 book.

Also, She Plays with the Darkness by Zakes Mda

Hmmm, a few from this list on Amazon look interesting to me:

Imperial Gullies: Soil Erosion and Conservation in Lesotho
Families Divided: The Impact of Migrant Labour in Lesotho
And None Were Innocent: Unreliable Memories of Lesotho's Struggle Against Apartheid

Cool, thanks guys! i'll wait another couple of days to see if anyone has more suggestions and then make a poll.

Perhaps time for a poll? <3

Millicent wrote: "Perhaps time for a poll? <3"

definitely! sorry...how did it get to be Thursday when i meant to post a poll last weekend? OOPS! apologies!

okay! the poll has ended and we'll be reading Singing Away the Hunger: The Autobiography of an African Woman. Thank you everyone who voted and apologies again for posting a poll so late in the tour stop. Of course it's great when most people read the same book, but if others really really want to read something else, please don't hesitate to enrich the discussion with insight from your own readings. :D

Sounds great! Thanks!

Should mention that I ordered the book - my friend Amazon says it will be here on Friday. Anybody else have this book yet?

Valerie wrote: "Should mention that I ordered the book - my friend Amazon says it will be here on Friday. Anybody else have this book yet?"

I have it! i will create a thread for discussion later today. :D

My library says it is "in transit" from another branch...

I've already read it, so I'll jump in once others have.

Hi All, I just finished reading Singing Away the Hunger- what a wonderful voice and collection of stories! I really appreciate that this book exists-I am so glad that the author's friend persisted in helping make the collection, and the publisher ultimately took the leap of faith to go ahead and publish the book.

I found the many references to wizard medicine and the sangomas very interesting- compelling. The author's utter belief in difference between sickness from God, which is cured with western medicine and Basotho sickness, which is cured by sangomas was very interesting.

How difficult it must have been to have lost so many babies, and then much later in life, to lose 3 grown sons. She never came out and said it, but I imagine that HIV was the cause of those three deaths. In fact, speaking of HIV, I found page 66 to be fascinating. For those who do not have their book in fromt of them, page 66 is where the author describes what happens when a man or a woman fancies a partner other than his/her wife- she matter of fact-ly described what many believe to be the root cause of the rapid spread of HIV in southern Africa- multiple and concurrent sexual partnerships.

This was a quick and thoroughly enjoyable book to read.

Hi Elizabeth, this thread is the thread we use to prepare for an upcoming stop, and then we move the discussion to a thread devoted to the chosen book. Would you mind sharing your thoughts in this thread here? and then you will see what others thought, as well.

Marieke wrote: "Hi Elizabeth, this thread is the thread we use to prepare for an upcoming stop, and then we move the discussion to a thread devoted to the chosen book. Would you mind sharing your thoughts in this ..."

Sorry about that- I do get a bit confused with so many threads to follow. I have edited a bit and re-posted. Thanks for the nudge ;-)