From legal thrillers to musing on girlhood in Zambia, Zambian authors are showing their multi-dimensional expertise and their flair with the pen. This month, we recommend three excellent fiction books by Zambian fiction writers.
This year promises to be spectacular for Zambian literature. After what seemed like an eternity of silence and low output from Zambian fiction writers, the past ten years have seen Zambian writers produce work met with local and international acclaim. From award-winning books like The Old Drift and The Mourning Bird to riveting short stories like “Dark Motives” and “No Strings Attached”, Zambia’s literary industry is brimming with life. Here’s a list of Zambian Books you need to pick up this April:
Even If The Stars Should Fall
The second novel from Natasha Omokhodion, Even If The Stars Should Fall is a riveting tale of love set in colonial-era Zambia. It follows the love story of Angie and Luka, two strong-willed individuals who are passionate about the betterment of their society. Luka believes in social justice and is an advocate for equality in the heavily segregated Northern Rhodesia. His wife, Angie, is deeply devoted to the historical figure Prophetess Alice Lenshina. Angie is drawn to Lenshina because she is inspired by her leadership and is hopeful that one day, women will take up leadership positions just like their male counterparts. However, Luka and Angie’s love story is threatened by instability in Northern Rhodesia and the ensuing Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Their story is a testament to love and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Even If The Stars Should Fall is entertaining, heartwarming and well-written. Omokhodion’s narrative is a page-turner and a book you definitely must pick up.
Purchase a copy of Even If The Stars Should Fall from BookWorld Zambia.
Obligations to the Wounded
Obligations to the Wounded is a collection of short stories by Mubanga Kalimamukwento that are firmly rooted in Zambian culture and literary traditions. Each of the stories in the collection explores the weight of cultural expectations on Zambian women living in the country and the wider diaspora. Though existing in different locales, the women in the stories are bound together by a single thread - their Zambianess. Stories like “Azubah” engage with complex issues such as black tax and immigration, where “A Doctor, A Lawyer, an Engineer or A Shame to the Family” explores the pressure to succeed in the diaspora within Zambian cultural contexts. Kalimamukwento’s skillfulness as a writer is demonstrated throughout the collection, particularly in her ability to depict pain tenderly and infuse humour in even the most troubling of tales. She masterfully presents creative narratives that are compelling and distinctly Zambian, leaving readers aching for more at the turn of every page.
Purchase a copy of Obligations to The Wounded here.
The Lion’s Den
The thriller genre is underexplored in Zambia, and Iris Mwanza's debut novel, The Lion’s Den, seeks to remedy that. Set in Zambia in the 1990s, the novel is a nerve-wracking tale of empowerment, determination and social justice. The Lion’s Den follows Grace Zulu, a freshly graduated lawyer who takes on a pro bono case to defend Willbess (Bessy), a man who is imprisoned based on his sexuality. Despite the odds being stacked against her, Grace is determined to get Bessy his freedom. Bessy goes missing in police custody, worsening Grace’s chances for success. In the face of rampant government corruption, Grace teams up with the head of her law firm, a former freedom fighter and a coalition of unions and students to challenge Kenneth Kaunda’s corrupt government. Grace is a compelling character, and the novel is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish!
Purchase a copy of The Lion’s Den here.
