Maw Books » Sudan

Year of No Rain by Alice Mead

Natasha Maw — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:14:54 +0000

Year of No Rain by Alice Mead is a story of children and civil war. So right away you know it’s a sad book. But yet it’s one of hope, determination and optimism.

Eleven-year-old Stephen Majok lives in a small Sudanese village. When he is not playing with his friends he tends his family’s two cows. His father had become a soldier when he was just a baby and had never come back. One of his best friends, fourteen-year-old Wol, becomes engaged to his sister. He wants to marry before he joins the guerrillas in southern Sudan fighting against the northern government soldiers simply so she can remember him. It’s a war that Stephen doesn’t want to go looking for, he just wants to study but with the war school hasn’t been in session for over a year.

But the war soon finds him anyways, as his village is bombed from government soldiers. His mother tells him to pack his back with his most valued possessions and run into the forest with his friend Wol. His mother and sister stay behind. In the forest, they face hunger, thirst, and fear that their family has been killed. Orphans they yearn for home but wander unsure of where to go or who to trust.

A story of how children are caught up and affected in a horrible war. Stephen is a character whom readers can easily sympathize with. It’s easily written and perfect for young readers who are discovering the stories of people outside of their life circle and culture. It’s one that will elicit discussion about the ill effects of war, brutality, hunger, thirst, and the power of the individual, optimism, and the hunger for stability, family, love, and education.

Links of interest: Alice Mead website, more book blogger reviews. I read this book as part of the water theme for the Social Justice Challenge.
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction, approx ages 9-12.
Publisher: Perfection Learning. January 2005.
Hardcover, 129 pages. ISBN 0756951585
Source copy: Own
Year of No Rain is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed, Illlustrated by Catherine Stock

Natasha Maw — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:12:04 +0000

After reviewing three books this week about Sudan, I conclude with one last picture book: My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed and illustrated by Catherine Stock. Sangoel, his mother and his little sister are all refugee’s from Sudan. His father died in the war and their home destroyed. He doesn’t have much but what he does have is his Dinka name, which was the name of his father and his ancestors before him. As they prepared to leave the refugee camp and relocate in America, a wise old man told him, “Remember, you will always be a Dinka. You will be Sangoel. Even in America.”

Everything in America is strange, cold, bright, and moves so fast. Making the adjustment isn’t easy and sometimes he still sleeps on the floor instead of his bed because he has bad dreams about war, running, and hiding. Sangoel starts school and joins the soccer team. The problem is, nobody can pronounce his name. Everybody tries but no matter how many times he tells them, nobody can say it. He tells his mother, “In America I have lost my name.” She suggests that perhaps he needs a new America name. But he remembers the words of the wise old man back in Sudan “You will always be Sangoel.”

Sangoel comes up with a creative idea to teach others how to say his name and at the same time begin to adjust in his new home with new friends.

My Name is Sangoel is an excellent book to help teach children about the millions of children in the world who are refugees. There is an author’s note at the end which explains who refugees are, why they must flee their home countries, how they lived in camps, and how they must make a new home in foreign countries. I’d recommend this one for classrooms, homes, and to teach compassion and diversity. I like seeing books like this.

Links of interest: Karen Lynn Williams website, Catherine Stocks website, more book blogger reviews. My Name is Sangoel is a Cybils fiction picture book nominee for which I’m a panelist.
Genre: Fiction Picture Book, approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. June 2009
Hardcover/Paperback # of pages. ISBN 0802853072
My Name is Sangoel is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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War Child, A Child Soldier’s Story by Emmanuel Jal

Natasha Maw — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:03:17 +0000

Why do I love reading memoirs? Because of books like War Child, A Child Soldier’s Story by Emmanuel Jal. What an incredible book that had me thoroughly engrossed. I think using the word engrossed is supposed to be a no-no when reviewing books but how else can I describe a book that had me unable to put it down and talking about it to my husband whenever I wasn’t reading it?

Emmanuel Jal is truly an amazing person and one that makes me believe in the resilience of the human spirit. A former child-solder at the young age of seven in the Sudanese civil war, he is now a hip-hop star who is using his music to share his message and to find peace for his people in Africa.

About Emmanuel Jal’s story (from the War Child movie website):

In the early 1980s at the age of seven, Jal was swept into Sudan’s civil war, becoming one of 10,000 child soldiers conscripted on both sides of the two decade long conflict. After being forced to do many unimaginably horrible things, he escaped the soldier’s camp and trekked for four months through Africa. He was eventually found and adopted by the now legendary British aid worker Emma McCune who had married Sudanese guerrilla commander Riek Machar and convinced him to not employ child soldiers. Shortly after she adopted Jal, McCune died in a suspicious car crash, leaving Emmanuel “orphaned” once again. Jal rose from ruthless child soldier to refugee to rap star. He found his own redemption and life mission through a message of peace that represents one of the 21st centuries’ most inspiring and hopeful journeys, and a metaphor for the broader African predicament.

What I find so surreal about Emmanuel Jal’s story is that he is my age (or nearly close to it as he doesn’t know exactly when he was born). What was I doing in the comfort of my American home while he had to make decisions about whether or not to eat his dead friend in order to stay alive, or that he was sleeping with an Ak-47 and not only being trained at the age of eight as a soldier but also sent to the front lines to kill?

I was so mad at his father for giving him up. For abandoning him when he was just a small child No child should have to raise himself at the age of seven or eight. I was so mad that people could do such awful things to each other. But I was so inspired with those who reached out to help. I adored and loved Emma McCune. She is a hero and sometimes I secretly wish that I could make a similar impact on somebody’s life. I am so inspired by Emmanuel Jal himself. For overcoming his war-torn childhood, not only surviving but thriving and using his life to make a difference for others.

After I finished the book, I rushed out and watched the documentary about his life. When he lived in the refugee camps, he was filmed by National Geographic. He loved to talk when he was little so he became a natural spokesman for the children. It was surreal to watch him as a little boy and put a face to the little boy that I read about.

Another trailer (does contain graphic images):

And then after I watched the documentary, I rushed out and got his CD which I have listened to no less than a dozen times. His lyrics are so compelling and he’s really talented. I love that he is using his music to make a difference.

I love this tribute song for Emma McCune, the woman who smuggled him out of the country, took him in, and put him in school:

I wanted to share this song as well, because he was told that if he wanted to be successful he should become more concerned with material things. His response was that while his people suffered in Africa, those things are meaningless. Just goes to show what his character his like.

Emmanuel Jal tells his story in his own words. Please stop a moment and take the time to watch:

One year ago, Emmanuel Jal pledged to fast two meals a day until he raised enough funds to build a school for his people in Africa. One year later and countless meals missed, he has not given up. You can find out how’s he doing via the links below and help the cause.

I was so inspired from this book and learning about Emmanuel Jal’s journey that I chose this book for the Twenty-Minute Book Club on the That’s How I Blog, Blog Talk Radio Show hosted by Nicole at Linus’s Blanket, which I will be a guest on Tuesday, January 19th. (and if you’re into reading challenges – this book would fit nicely with the That’s How I Blog Challenge as well as the Social Justice Challenge). I would love for you to read the book, watch the documentary, or listen to his album and join us on that show to discuss it.

Regardless, this is one of those books that when you read it, you have to tell everybody about it. So this is me, telling you about it. Read it.

Links of interest: Emmanuel Jal website, Twitter, Facebook and on YouTube. War Child documentary movie website. Gua Africa, Emmanuel’s non-profit charity which he founded, which is currently raises funds for the Emma Academy, in honor of the woman who saved his life.
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press. February 3, 2009.
Hardcover, 272 pages. ISBN 0312383223
War Child is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein

Natasha Maw — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:55:37 +0000

What can I say about They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys From Sudan by Benson Deng, Alephonsion Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein that will convince everybody to read it?

Written by three Lost Boys who are also cousins – I could not put this memoir down. When Judy Bernstein met all three, now in their twenties, after their relocation from the refugee camps in Kenya to San Diego, they asked for simple things including pads of paper to write their story. What she read was not only heartbreaking but inspiring. Their words are simple but their experiences are anything but.

Book description from official website:

Benjamin, Alepho, and Benson were raised among the Dinka tribe of Sudan. Their world was an insulated, close-knit community of grass-roofed cottages, cattle herders, and tribal councils. The lions and pythons that prowled beyond the village fences were the greatest threat they knew.

All that changed the night the government-armed Murahiliin began attacking their villages. Amid the chaos, screams, conflagration, and gunfire, five-year-old Benson and seven-year-old Benjamin fled into the dark night. Two years later, Alepho, age seven, was forced to do the same. Across the Southern Sudan, over the next five years, thousands of other boys did likewise, joining this stream of child refugees that became known as the Lost Boys. Their journey would take them over one thousand miles across a war-ravaged country, through landmine-sown paths, crocodile-infested waters, and grotesque extremes of hunger, thirst, and disease. The refugee camps they eventually filtered through offered little respite from the brutality they were fleeing.

In They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky, Alepho, Benson, and Benjamin, by turn, recount their experiences along this unthinkable journey. They vividly recall the family, friends, and tribal world they left far behind them and their desperate efforts to keep track of one another. This is a captivating memoir of Sudan and a powerful portrait of war as seen through the eyes of children. And it is, in the end, an inspiring and unforgettable tribute to the tenacity of even the youngest human spirits.

I could not put this book down. I really liked the alternating perspectives of the three cousins while continuing the linear timeline. The experiences that they went through often make me question why such horrible things happen to little children. And yet, they grow to be wonderful men who are full of life.

Call me a glutton for punishment, but as soon as I finished this one, I immediately began reading War Child by Emmanual Jal, the memoir of another Lost Boy conscripted to fight in the army. The Lost Boys have so many stories to share, and I for one will listen. This is a book that you will not regret reading and one that you soon won’t forget.

Links of interest: They Poured Fire From the Sky website (with lots of great resources), Judy Bernstein website. Maw Books reviews of What is the What by Dave Eggers, picture book Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams both about The Lost Boys of Sudan.
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: PublicAffairs. June 12, 2006.
Paperback, 336 pages. ISBN 1586483889
They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Natasha Maw — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:01:48 +0000

I’m excited today to recommend to you another book about the Lost Boys, Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. Mary Williams is a name that I have heard often when reading about the Lost Boys of Sudan as she is the founder of the The Lost Boys Foundation, a organization dedicated to raising awareness about these amazing young men and organizes resources to help them.

If you are not aware of who the Lost Boys are, let me set it up for you as I have three more book reviews to quickly follow this one on the same subject. During the mid-1980’s Sudan had a period of renewed fighting in its long-running civil war. More than two million people have died. Many of the children, particularly boys, were left orphaned and approximately thirty thousand Sudanese children, many under ten-years-old, were forced to march across Sudan to Ethiopia then Kenya in search of refuge. They faced death through war, hyenas, lions, crocodiles, lack of water and starvation.

Their stories are heartbreaking and a testament to the will to survive. Those boys have now become young men and many have sought refuge in foreign countries including the United States. Two fantastic documentaries that I would recommend about the refugee experience is God Grew Tired of Us and Lost Boys of Sudan, both excellent insights into the hell that these boys went through and their readjustment to living in the United States.

I loved Mary’s words in her author’s note and wanted to preface my thoughts about the book with her thoughts:

Before meeting any of the Lost Boys, I assumed they would be hardened and embittered by their experiences: the loss of their parents, near starvation, and exposure to violence, persecution, and deprivation. Imagine my surprise when the first group of ten young men walked into my office with huge smiles on their faces and excellent manners. They spoke English well and were quick to laugh. It was obvious they felt blessed to be given the opportunity to come to the United States.

When I asked one young man how they had endured such an arduous journey, he simply smiled and said, “It was the grace of God.” The Lost Boys’ unrelenting faith in God, their loyalty to one another, and their desire to acquire an education to better themselves and their country is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit.

This book is based on the true story of the Lost Boys as told to me by the young men who lived it.

Brothers in Hope tells the story of eight-year-old Garang as he is orphaned by war, joins with other lost boys, walks to Ethiopia,lives in a refugee camp and then forced back to Sudan and then to Kenya. Along the way, he takes care of Chuti, a boy younger than him and leads a group of 35 boys. Garang lives in the refugee camps until he becomes a young man of twenty-one, and he is invited to the United States. Although apprehensive about such a huge move, Garang remembers the words of his father “Your heart and mind are strong. There is nothing you cannot do.” Garang looks to the future and knows that although the road will be rough, he is no longer afraid.

A wonderful book with amazing illustrations by R. Gregory Christie in the African tradition. I would highly recommend this picture book to introduce young readers to the stories of The Lost Boys.

In addition to the two documentaries mentioned earlier, I’d also recommend What is the What by Dave Eggers (which I hear is being made into a movie), War Child by Emmanuel Jal, They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan by Alphonsion Deng, Benson Deng, Benjamin Ajak with Judy A. Bernstein for adult readers and another picture book My Name is Sangoel by Karen Lynn Williams and Khadra Mohammed; all of which I can personally recommend and hope to review this week as well.

Links of interest: To learn more about the Lost Boys,visit the publishers classroom guide, and book talk with author Mary Williams.
Genre: Picture book, ages 9-12.
Publisher: Lee and Low Books. May 30, 2005.
Hardcover, 40 pages. ISBN 1584302321
Brothers in Hope is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.

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Bookworms Carnival: A Great List of Africa Book Recommendations

Natasha Maw — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:04:57 +0000

Better late than never right? Welcome to the Bookworms Carnival where today you will get a great list of recommendations of picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult and adult fiction and non-fiction books that are set in Africa or have an Africa theme.

I love to read literature set in Africa, so it’s my hope that you will find some great new reads. Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive by any means. The books listed here are a result of my call for entries as well as some filling in of a few books that I hated to see not included. Each book has a link over to the Book Blogs Google Custom Search Engine so you can get even more opinions.

Also, I know that there are some other great books out there (even I didn’t list all the African books I’ve reviewed), so I have included a Mr. Linky at the end of this post. If you have a book review that is African in nature that was not included, I’d love for you to link it up so we have even more books listed!

A meme! If you have a blog, I have included a meme at the end of this post so you can discuss African books on your own blog and link over to the carnival. Feel free to participate, regardless of whether or not you have a book review listed here. I would love to know your thoughts!

If you don’t have a blog, I’d love to hear in the comments which books you’ve read and which ones caught your eye.

Botswana

The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith reviewed by Heather at The Maiden’s Court. The first of 10 books that focus on the life of Precious Ramotswe and her fledgling detective agency. “One of the most interesting things about this book is that you learn so much about African culture and the beauty of the nature. Africa doesn’t usually end up in best selling fiction very often.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Run: The Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison reviewed by Alyce at At Home with Books. The memoir of a well-known safari guide Alyce says, “If you have ever wondered what it would be like to go on safari in Africa, then I would recommend this memoir. It was so much fun to read that I still find myself chuckling at some of the stories a couple of weeks after reading it.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Burundi

The Violets of Usambara by Mary Soderstrom reviewed by Melanie by The Indextrious Reader. “This novel is a short one, and is the tale of a couple whose lives are at the cusp of change. Thomas Brossard is a former government minister who is out of work due to a change in government. His wife Louise, always the driving force in his life, has suggested he go to Africa with a Catholic charity . . . . This a very adult book in its quiet and understated narrative style.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Congo

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad reviewed by J.T at Bibliofreak. At a short 72 pages, J.T says, “This is possibly the most symbolic book I’ve ever read, and still one of my favorites. It’s a novella, but don’t let the short length fool you–its not a light read.”
- More book blogger reviews.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver reviewed by Tracie at YuleTime Reading. “About a Baptist minister who brings his family to Africa to act as missionaries in the 1950’s . . . [it] is a haunting tale that follows the lives of five women until the end of their days. The multiple layers of this novel make it an intensely interesting read. From the clash of two cultures, to the politics of the Congo, to the bond every mother knows with her child, this is definitely a must read that will stay with you long after you close the last page.”
- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver was also reviewed by Caitlin at Chaotic Compendiums who had a critical eye. “Despite these criticisms, this is a book worth reading, if only for the very last chapter which is in the voice of my favorite character, Ruth May. That along with many moments of beautiful physical description scattered throughout the book make it a worthwhile read, if one that is sometimes incredibly frustrating.”
- Also reviewed by J.T at Bibliofreak, more book blogger reviews.

King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild reviewed by Rhapsody in Books. “Hochschild is to be commended for trying to bring this true horror story back to life. There is still a need to learn from the dangers of power and greed. As he concludes, “At the time of the Congo controversy a hundred years ago, the idea of full human rights, political, social, and economic, was a profound threat to the established order of most countries on earth. It still is today”
- More book blogger reviews.

Egypt

The Beggar by Naguib Mahfouz reviewed by Rose City Reader. “This novella takes on the biggest “political” issue of all – the meaning of life. Omar’s tale is a metaphor for the “midlife crisis” of modern Egypt, 17 years after its 1952 revolution, as both Omar and the country search for meaning after achieving worldly success.”
- More book blogger reviews.
The View from Garden City by Carolyn Baugh reviewed by Swapna at S. Krishna’s Books. “At its core,[it's] a novel about women, beautifully written and enhanced by the amazingly detailed descriptions of life in modern Cairo. Baugh doesn’t preach or have any sort of nefarious intentions but leaves the reader to make up his or her own mind about the message of the novel and of each of the stories”
- More book blogger reviews.

Ethiopia

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese reviewed by Chris at Book-a-Rama. About the lives of mirror twins born of the illicit affair between a surgeon and a nun, “The setting of Ethiopia is exotic, interesting and beautiful. Every character is well created, you can’t help but love them (except for one or two). The story is both entertaining and engaging. I enjoyed so much of the book, but… it was a massive book [. . .] but there was something about it that just didn’t float my boat the way it did for other reviewers who thought it was awesome.”
- Also reviewed by SuziQoregon at Whimpulsive who said that it read more like a memoir than fiction and she got emotionally involved in the book.
- Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese was also reviewed by Hannah at Word Lily. “I was, at turns, sort of dreading, expecting that the best of the book had passed and the rest would be downhill; and irresistibly, hopefully, pulled along. The characters are remarkably resilient through hardship and pain. I’ve read books with a stronger sense of place, but this setting did indeed draw me in. This book has a little of everything.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Of Beetles & Angels, A Boy’s Remarkable Journey From a Refugee Camp to Harvard by Mawi Asgedom reviewed by Natasha at Maw Books. “There are some great discussion questions in the back, and even Ethiopian recipes. This book gives a great insight into the struggles of new immigrants adjusting to a new culture and mourning for loss of home. Asgedom’s story is inspiring”

Ghana

Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey reviewed by Dawn at She is Too Fond of Books. A murder mystery set against the modern and traditional ways of African culture, Dawn said, “When I read a mystery I don’t try to solve the case, I allow the author to do the work by unraveling the tangle of clues for me. Quartey left some breadcrumbs that, in retropect, might have led me in the right direction if I had put any energy into it; but I prefer the leisurely pace of solving it on Dawson’s timetable, piecing the clues together through his eyes. It was a very satisfying mystery.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Kenya

14 Cows for America reviewed by Alison at A Novel Idea. Alison says, “The artwork in the book is breathtaking and the story almost lyrical. It is a picture book with great depth. This is a story that will remain on my shelf for life. This is a story of compassion that I will take off the shelf and remind my children of regularly.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Burn My Heart by Beverley Naidoo reviewed by Terry at The Reading Tub A historical fiction novel set in the 1950’s in Kenya, Terry says that Burn by Heart is exceptional and a wonderfully crafted story and “it’s a book meant for readers pre-teen through adult. It is destined to open some wonderfully thoughtful, candid discussions that are as relevant today as they would have been in 1951.” Terry has additional information about the book on the Reading Tub website as well.
- More book blogger reviews.

Also check out this list of Kenyan book recommendations compiled from Rebecca at Lost in Books.

Liberia

When God Says Go by Lorry Lutz reviewed by Debbie at Genre Reviewer. “This book is a biography of an amazing black American woman who worked as a missionary in the jungles of Liberia from 1913 to 1972. The story briefly covers her parent’s lives as slaves, her childhood, and her education. It also briefly describes the founding of Liberia and the history of Christianity there.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Malawi

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamka and Bryan Mealer reviewed by Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea. A memoir which is one of those rare stories you won’t want to miss, Diane says, “One of the most inspiring books that I have read in a long time, I’m pretty sure this book will touch most readers deeply, like it did to me. I know this story will stay with me for a long time to come.
- More book blogger reviews.

The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis reviewed by Natasha at Maw Books. “Binti’s journey is one that you’ll want to take. I loved watching her transformation from a proud, selfish child, being humbled as a orphan, and rising above her circumstances to help those around her. I highly recommend The Heaven Shop for great insight on such a troubling subject [AIDS].

Mali

Monique and the Mango Rains: Two Years with a Midwife in Mali by Kris Halloway reviewed by Lisa at Books on the Brain. A wonderful memoir, “themes in the book include family relationships, poverty, religious differences, the place of women in African society, hunger, malnutrition, power struggles, parenting, birth control, marriage, childbirth, volunteerism, and community. Holloway is respectful of the people and their culture and never has that too-frequent American way of being condescending.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Mozambique

Secrets in the Fire by Henning Mankell reviewed by Andromeda at A Wrung Sponge. “I cried all the way through. It’s a heartbreaking story based on the life of a real girl living in Mozambique. While running to the fields to work with her mother and sister she stepped off the path once and landed on a land mine. Her sister was killed and she almost died. She lost both of her legs”
- More book blogger reviews.

Nigeria

Amadi’s Snowman by Katia Novet Saint-Lot reviewed by Maw Books. A picture book about literacy and new cultures, it “is an excellent addition to the multi-cultural library, or any library, for that fact.”

Half of a Yellow-Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reviewed by Susan at Pages Turned. Susan says, “Adichie depicts the early days of Nigeria’s independence, the massacre of thousands of Igbo living in the Muslim north in 1966, and the Biafran War that followed as the Igbo attempt to form their own country. From personal loyalties and estrangements to air raids and famine in the refuge camps, Adichie hones in on the telling details that will keep me mulling over this book for a long time to come.” I found that I had left a comment on this review when she first posted it saying that I wanted to read it. And I did!
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Little Bee by Chris Cleave reviewed by Heather at Age 30+ . . . A Lifetime of Books. Heather says that it’s better to not know anything about this book. So I’m going to trust here and not say anything here either. But wow, that cover! It just screams read me!
- Also reviewed by SuziQoregon at Whimpulsive who said, “Wow – this book impressed me a lot. The writing is the kind where I could have easily marked a sentence or paragraph on nearly every page. I really think that at some point I want to go back and re-read this one slowly just to be able to appreciate the many gems.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reviewed by Heather at Book Addiction who says “What I loved about Purple Hibiscus is that Kambili is just like any other teen stuck in a family situation that isn’t the greatest. She has to deal with her oppressive, abusive father, and with her passive mother, and with navigating her way through life while trying to follow the rules her father (and her church) has set for her.”
- Also reviewed by Mee at Books of Mee who said that the book reminded her of the book The Color Purple.
- More book blogger reviews.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe reviewed by Trixie at Reading and Writing About It. “I thought it was fascinating to see the clash between traditional African society and the influence of British rule” in this book about Okonkwo and British colinization.
- More book blogger reviews.

Rwanda

As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda by Catherine Claire Larson reviewed by Debbie at Genre Reviews. A new release, “This book tells seven personal stories of experiences during the genocide, its aftermath, and how they came to forgiveness. These accounts are intense, vivid, and powerful. The people in these stories came from different areas and had different experiences, giving the reader a good idea of what happened during the genocide and afterward. The book is worth reading for these stories alone.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin reviewed by Amanda at The Zen Leaf who compared it slightly in it’s subject matter to Deogratias (below). She said, “I had to abandon Deogratias because it was too gruesome. Too graphically violent. I was scared I’d get the same thing here, but Baking Cakes was nothing like that. It was tactful in every sense of the word. It didn’t gloss over the things that happened in Rwanda, but it did approach the subject in a polite and non-gruesome way. I really appreciated that.”
- Tam at Bailey’s and Books said, “interesting, at least to me, side note: In Gaile Parkin’s bio on the back of my ARC copy it notes, “Many of the stories told by characters in Baking Cakes in Kigali are based on or inspired by stories she was told during her work in Rwanda.” Not knowing much about Rwanda, to me, these stories in the book were both inspiring and important to know.”
- Rebecca at Rebecca Reads also says that although it’s not a light read, “It shares a message of both tragedy (the story of the survivors [Rwandan genocide] and hope, for its ending message is that we can move on: there is a purpose to life, even after a horrendous tragedy.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda by J.P Stassen reviewed by Nymeth at Things Mean a Lot. I LOVE the fact that we have a graphic novel included in this carnival. She says, “I should start by warning you that I cried for something like half an hour after I finished this book, and that I’ve been thinking about it often ever since.” If that’s not enough to make you click over to read the review she also says, “I’m the last person you’d catch telling others that they have some sort of moral obligation to read a book that will upset them. And yes, Deogratias is upsetting and relentlessly dark and depressing. It shows humans at their very worst, and no, there are no acts of kindness to counterbalance that. So, you know. I’m sure you all know your limits as readers enough to be able to tell whether or not this would be too much for you.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Emmanuel Kolini: The Unlikely Archbishop of Rwanda reviewed by Heather at Age 30+ A Lifetime of Books. Kolini takes up his post as Archbishop in the wake of the 1994 genocide. “This book is a brief biography of Kolini’s life, an overview of the ethnic conflicts in Rwandan history, and the story of how these two came together.” Heather has some good and not so good things to say about the book.
- More book blogger reviews.

Left to Tell: Discovering God Admist the Genocide in Rwanda by Immaculee Ilibagiza reviewed by The Book Nook Club. “What I felt most profoundly while reading this was that you choose how you feel about what life hands you, whatever your religious beliefs may be. This woman chose to be thankful for what she had, not bitter over what she had lost. She chose to forgive in the face of hatred. Her attitude of tolerance and love is inspiring. I would highly recommend it.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Also check out this list of book recommendations about the Rwandan Genocide.

Sierra Leone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah reviewed by J.T at Bibliofreak. “There has been some controversy over whether or not all of Beah’s claims really happened. A newspaper said last year that none of it could have happened to one person and that there was a discrepancy about his dates. Beah stands by his story, and you know what? So do I. Just because it seems unimaginable doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”
- Rebecca at Lost in Books listened to this one on audio and said, “It was so heartbreaking at times I had to pause the CD and catch my breath. The descriptions of the people being murdered and even of Ishmael climbing the coconut tree when he was starving were so vivid I felt like I was actually there. The pictures in my mind were so crisp and clear.”
- Also reviewed by Mee at Books of Mee who said, “The story is told fluidly. I never felt it slow down. It’s a good read from beginning til the end.”
- More book blogger reviews.

The Bite of the Mango by Mariatu Kamara reviewed by Kathleen at SMS Book Reviews. A firsthand experience of the civil war in Sierra Leone is chilling: at the age of 12, Mariatu was attacked by young rebel soldiers, who cut off both of her hands. Mariatu’s account of her journey from war victim to UNICEF Special Representative inspires awe and hope. “The book doesn’t only address the war that went on in Sierra Leone and the casulaties of that war. It also addresses what little has happened to help those still in the country.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Also check out this list of Sierra Leone book recommendations compiled from Rebecca at Lost in Books.

South Africa

92 Queens Road by Dianne Case reviewed by Chele at Hungry Readers. A Middle Grade fiction book set in the ’60’s during apartheid , this book “shows the experiences of young Kathy and her family under the system of laws. Throughout the text, six-year-old Kathy searches for her place in her young country and comes to grips with her lack of a father and status as a “coloured” person.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Beethoven Was One-Sixteenth Black by Nadine Gordimer reviewed by Rose City Reader. A collection of short stories which is a “worthwhile collection of stories and a good introduction to Gordimer’s sophisticated writing. ”
- More book blogger reviews.

Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee reviewed by Mee at Books of Mee. The racial tension in South Africa is the topic of this book and Mee says, “As most racism, it usually occurs in more ‘uneducated’ places by ‘uneducated’ people. Not in the city where everybody is supposed to be smart and sophisticated, no. It happens in the corners of the town, in back suburbs, behind bushes and shadows. I should know. I experienced extreme racism for many years of my teenage life — the problem that is unconsciously stuck with you to the bone, the matter of ‘my people’ against ‘your people’ — all too familiar elements that made me queasy.
- More book blogger reviews.

Fish Notes and Star Songs by Diane Hofmeyr reviewed by Chele at Hungry Readers. Fish Notes and Star Songs is a Young Adult novel that Chele says would make a great pairing with Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. “With some references to some African history and wildlife, [the book] explores themes of loss, empowerment, spirituality and of language and names, their significance and power. While some people would argue that this story is a fantasy, others will see it as realistic with dimensions of spirituality.”
- More book blogger reviews.

The Life and Times of Michael K. by J.M. Coetzee reviewed by Rose City Reader. A Booker Winner from a Nobel laureatem, Rose City Reader said, “Despite the credentials, I did not like this book and I do not see the point of it.” I personally didn’t like the one Coetzee book I’ve read so I was glad to see I’m not the only one have Coetzee trouble.
- More book blogger reviews.

Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela reviewed by Marta at Marta’s Meanderings. “The audiobook brings his vision full circle, as these timeless tales return to the oral tradition to be heard around the world.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Out of Bounds: Seven Stories of Conflict and Hope by Beverley Naidoo reviewed by Chele at Hungry Readers. Consisting of seven short stories this book for middle grade readers “explore different events and conditions of Apartheid through South African children’s perspectives. With varying degrees of hope, the protagonists face difficult choices and risk when deciding on what they believe about Apartheid depending on their various class and racial backgrounds.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Reading, Writing and Leaving Home: Life on the Page by Lynn Freed reviewed by Susan at Pages Turned. Lynn Freed is a fiction author who grew up in South Africa before moving to the states and sets her fiction in South Africa. Reading, Writing and Leaving Home is her story.
- More book blogger reviews.

The Scent of Oranges by Joan Zawatzky reviewed by Brooke at The Bluestocking Guide. “I really enjoyed this book. It was so sad, yet so poignant. So many lives were ruined all because people judged others by the color of their skin and not by the type of person that they were. The sad thing is that even though Apartheid ended problems remain. There hasn’t been a happily ever after.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Sudan

The Devil Came on Horseback: Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steidle reviewed by Ramya at Ramya’s Bookshelf. “It is hard to imagine that this book is actually a memoir- that events described here are not figments of imagination from a psychotically deranged brain. They are actual events appening in a different part of the world. People are starving, getting killed mercilessly, getting raped, being turned out of their homes right as I type this review. It is really hard to imagine that everything said in the book is true.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Not On Our Watch, The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and John Prendergast reviewed by Becky at Becky’s Book Reviews. “This book does three things essentially a) relates the authors first hand accounts of trying to help, a behind-the-scenes look at activism b) provides basic information about the political, social, cultural situations in Darfur and surrounding regions placing everything into context and c) gives tips on how ordinary people–Americans for the most part–can do their part to help.”
Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Slave: My True Story by Mende Nazar reviewed by Heather at Book Addiction. An amazing memoir, Heather says, “I truly don’t have much else to say other than – Slave is absolutely a must-read. I can’t emphasize that enough. What a powerful, inspiring story. I’m so glad I picked this book up and I truly believe you should too.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Tears of the Desert by Halima Bashir reviewed by Tracie at YuleTime Reading. Tracie summarizes this amazing book (believe me, I know, I raved about it myself after I read it) as “follows Halima Bashir through her childhood in a remote African village, to her education at University, through her practicing of medicine and eventually to her escape from Darfur. During her life, war and genocide loom over her as she tries desperately to avoid the conflict even though she see’s the affect of the war on her people in her work. Eventually the war finds her and she must pay a horrible price for the help she has given her people.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari reviewed by Debbie at Genre Reviewer. “Daoud Hari tells his story in a very simple but a profoundly moving way. This is not a “fun” book, but it is an eye-opener to the reasons behind the conflict and is a first-hand look at what is really occurring in this area.”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

What is the What by Dave Eggers excerpt shared by Susan at Pages Turned. A very poignant passage from an amazing book (which I also reviewed). It’s one that I personally can’t recommend enough and even had both of my parents read so I was thrilled to see Susan share it with us as well.
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

Also check out this list of book recommendations about the Darfur genocide.

Uganda

First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria by Eve Waite- Brown reviewed by Jen at Devourer of Books. The memoir of a Peace Corps worker in Uganda, Jen says, “I seriously very highly recommend this book, whether you’re an idealist who wants to go out and make the world better, someone who wishes they had the cajones to follow love and their ideals to third world countries, or someone who likes an entertaining story; in other words, basically everyone!”
- Also reviewed by Maw Books, more book blogger reviews.

The Ghosts of Eden by Andrew Sharp reviewed by Jackie at Farm Lane Books Blog. About two very different boys growing up in Uganda, Jackie says, “I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read about African culture, without battling with symbolism or the endless horrors of war. It is a beautifully written story, and I think it has just become my favourite book with an African setting.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Zambia

Sikulu & Harabe by the Zambezi River: An African Version of the Good Samaritan Story written by Kunle Oguneye and Illustrated by Bruce McCorkindale reviewed by Terry at The Reading Tub. Her reviews says, “I highly recommend Sikulu & Harambe by the Zambezi River. It is storytelling at its best, with the lessons build into the story but still completely evident. The crayon-styled illustrations might lead you to think this is a book for only the youngest audiences. Preschoolers and Kindergartners will love this book, but so will kids up to third grade. The story itself and the lessons it offers will engage newly independent readers and offer a wonderful complement to the study of folklore and culture.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Zimbabwe

The Boy Next Door by Irene Sabatini reviewed by Debbie at Genre Reviewer. “An engrossing novel that starts out as a mystery of sorts (did Ian really do it?) in which curiosity about her neighbor leads to friendship and then love. But it’s not an easy love.”
- More book blogger reviews.

When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin reviewed by Kim at Sophisticated Dorkiness. “Godwin parallels this deeply personal memoir with the reporting he did about the destruction of the Republic of Zimbabwe under President Robert Mugabe.”
- More book blogger reviews.

General/Multiple Countries

Another Man’s War: The True Story of One Man’s Battle to Save Children in the Sudan by Sam Childers reviewed by Debbie at Genre Reviewer. A memoir that tells the story of Sam Childers and of the children of southern Sudan and northern Uganda, Debbie says, “I’d recommend this book, especially to those who like incredible-but-true missionary stories, to soldiers who are Christians, and to those interested in what’s being done to help the children in southern Sudan and northern Uganda”
- More book blogger reviews.

Chanda’s Secrets by Allan Stratton reviewed by Chele at The Hungry Readers. A Young Adult novel set in an imaginary African country, “Chanda manages preparing the funeral for her youngest sister, helping a best friend about whom rumors circulate, supporting a weakening mother, and watching many deal with a disease that affects many but remains stigmatized and unnamed. Chanda juggles her secrets with a mix of fear, love and denial. At the source of them all is AIDS, the unnamed killer.”
- Also reviewed by Kathleen at SMS Book Reviews who says it was heartbreaking and “This is one of those books that is so good you don’t know what to say.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Copper Sun by Sharon Draper reviewed by Melissa at One Librarian’s Book Reviews. The story of a girl taken from her home village in Africa by Slave Traders to America, Melissa says, “This book was haunting and awful and beautiful all wrapped up in one. Amari’s survival through the brutalities and hardships she faces as a slave is just amazing. Throughout the book, I wondered how people could survive these horrors. The answer testifies to the tenacity of the human spirit – hope.”
- More book blogger reviews.

The Marsh Lions: The Story of an African Pride by Brian Jackman and Jonathan Scott reviewed by Jeane at Dog Ear Diary. This book “is more than just a book about lions. It’s about the whole panorama of African wildlife living around the Musiara Marsh, on the borders of Kenya and Tanzania. It’s the product of five years that Jonathan Scott spent photographing animals in the Masai Mara, keeping detailed notes about their behavior and interactions. He later collaborated with Jackman to have the book written and published.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Middle Passage by Charles Johnson reviewed by J.T at Bibliofreak. “This is a magical realism metaphor-laced book. It’s gonna run away with you. You might not love it. I can’t say that I loved it. But I did really like it.
- More book blogger reviews.

No Room in the Ark by Alan Moorehead reviewed by Jeane at Dog Ear Diary. “This book describes the author’s various safaris to view wildlife in Africa during the 1950’s. I really enjoyed reading his vivid descriptions of the weather, landscape and animals- especially incidents where he came into closer contact with the wildlife. One night a hyena snuck into his tent and ate his leather boots right from under his cot!”
- More book blogger reviews.

Papa , Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joose reviewed by Brian at Book Dads. A picture book for the younger crowd, “The warm earth tones of the illustrations perfectly complement the text and evoke images of the Serengeti, a Glossary at the end of the book explains about the Masaai culture. Papa, Do You Love Me shows children that all fathers unconditionally love their children, no matter where (or how) they live.”
- More book blogger reviews.

Say You’re One of Them by Uwem Akpan reviewed by Kathy at Bermudaonion. Oprah’s newest book selection isn’t a fast read with it’s diaolouge written in often times difficult to dicipher dialect. But Kathy says, “This book isn’t a fast read, but I think it’s an important one. The title of the book comes from the fact that children in Africa sometimes have to deny their identity and say they’re one of “them” (another tribe or religion) in order to survive. You will be a different person after you’ve read this book.”
- Teddy from So Many Precious Books, So Little Time reviews one of the short stories titled An Ex-Mas Feast.
- More book blogger reviews.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham reviewed by Jeane at Dog Ear Diary. “I can’t say which I preferred, reading about the horses and African wildlife, or reading about her flights in a small plane- both were engrossing and captivating. And have you ever had the thrill of coming across a character in a book, who was friends with one you knew in a different book entirely?”
- More book blogger reviews.

What Now?

If you have a blog, I’d love to have you answer the following questions in your own post or come up with your own thing. Participation is open to all. If you don’t have a blog feel free to answer them in the comments:

Do you read a lot of books that have an African focus? If so, why do you enjoy them?
Have you reviewed any books with an African theme? If so, feel free to highlight them.
What are you looking forward to reading next? Anything on your radar?
If you haven’t read a lot of books with an African focus, what are some books that you’d like to read?
Are there any book titles showcased in this carnival that sounds interesting to you or that you’ve read?

Link your meme post in the Mr. Linky so we can visit:

Have More Book Reviews?

If you have a blog and have book reviews (no matter how old) with an African focus we’d love to know about them too! Link your book reviews to the Mr. Linky in the following format: Book Title (country).

(P.S. Would you like to submit a book review to the next Bookworms Carnival? Check out the details.)

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Interview with Paul Harris, Author of The Secret Keeper & a GIVEAWAY

Natasha Maw — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:57 +0000

Yesterday I reviewed the book The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris, a new book that takes place during the Sierra Leone civil war as a journalist investigates the murder of his past girlfriend. In my review, I said the book had “a great storyline, believable characters, and set against a volatile background of war, greed, murder, and deceit, it makes for an intriguing read.”

What I found fascinating about The Secret Keeper is that the author Paul Harris is also a journalist who covered the war in Sierra Leone. I wanted to know how much of his personal experience played into the writing of this book and was thrilled to be able to ask Paul some of those questions. Please welcome Paul to the Maw Books Blog . . .

Maw Books: How and why did you become a journalist? Can you briefly share a few highlights from your career?

Paul Harris: I always wanted to be a journalist and I think I have been lucky to have had that ambition from a young age. When I was about 9 years old I started a newspaper at my school (it lasted one edition!). So it was simply a matter of doing student journalism, getting a journalism qualification and then battling to get a job. The reasons why I wanted to be a journalist are a mix. Every journalist (I would hope) wants to change the world a little bit for the better. But every honest journalist should admit that it’s a chance to have an awful lot of fun, see some exotic places and get to see your name in print. My main highlight would be covering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. It was a panel set up by archbishop Desmond Tutu to examine apartheid era crimes by all sides. It was a privilege to watch a nation try to heal itself like that, with all the moral compromises and complexities that that involved.

Maw Books: Starting a newspaper at nine? It’s no surprise you became a journalist! You spent a month in Sierra Leone covering the civil war. It is obviously this experience that drove you to write The Secret Keeper. But you’ve also covered many other conflicts across Africa and elsewhere. Why did you choose this story over any of the other stories that you could have told?

Paul Harris: I think Sierra Leone held the most fascination because for me it was the most extreme experience. More so than two months embedded with the military during the invasion of Iraq or other conflicts which I just dipped in and out of. In Sierra Leone I was operating alone, in a strange country amid utter chaos. It was a heady mixture of excitement and fear. It was also the conflict that put a full stop on my African experience. I decided to leave shortly after.

Maw Books: I can only imagine the things you must have seen and heard. Why write a novel in the first place? Is it something that you have always wanted to do or have been interested in? What led you to turn from journalism writing to novel writing?

Paul Harris: I always wrote fiction, especially when I was a child. I fell in love with Tolkien and spent many hours writing my own stories set in fantasy worlds (writing a fantasy book is still a secret ambition of mine). Then, after I had left Africa, I decided to take my desire to write a novel seriously and followed the dictum: write what you know. So I began the process of taking some of my own experiences as a setting and starting to work what sort of themes I wanted to explore.

Maw Books: Was it easy or difficult to switch to a different style of writing for The Secret Keeper from your journalism writing?

Paul Harris: It was very liberating actually. Fiction is an opportunity to play around and say exactly what you want. Journalism has rules to stop that sort of thing.

Maw Books: I imagine being an war correspondent stationed abroad can be very frustrating when faced with the ignorance of others who either have little to no interest in the stories that you are risking your life to bring to them. Do you think you can reach a new demographic with a novel (as opposed to journalism writing), to those who may not be aware of some of the current conflicts around the world?

Paul Harris: Definitely. The best fiction can bring the most obscure parts of the world to people’s attention and reach people that don’t consume too much news or have become disillusioned with it. I imagine that Khaled Hosseini has done more to bring Afghanistan alive for people than a thousand news stories. Perhaps, hopefully, what happens is someone will read the fiction and then be inspired to find out more about the reality.

Maw Books: I must admit that Hosseini spurred my desire to read more books that take place in Afghanistan, which I’m lucky to say I have. What do you hope the reader learns, if anything, after reading The Secret Keeper?

Paul Harris: I think, at heart, it’s a story about moral complexity. That very few things are black and white. Good people do bad things, bad people do good things. Everything is a shade of grey.

Maw Books: What was the personal emotional impact on you from your experience in Sierra Leone? How does covering war stories change you? And how do you suppress this emotion in your journalism writing?

Paul Harris: It was pretty intense. I thought I was fine but after I left (and was incredibly relieved to get out) I noticed that I was behaving in certain strange ways: edgy, short-tempered, constantly nervous. I remember walking through a Nairobi street when a car exhaust backfired several times and it set my heart racing so much I thought I was about to have a panic attack. But I think for most journalists the impact of covering conflicts will be as varied as the person. Some very fine friends make their whole careers out of it. Some of them thrive, others become very damaged. For me, it gave me a great sense of perspective and the preciousness of life and a feeling that war truly is the greatest folly of mankind. As for suppressing the emotion in writing, I think the simple rules of writing journalism will keep a lot of it out. But also a little bit of emotion – and breaking those rules – is generally a good thing. There is no such things as true objectivity, especially about tragedy, and nor should there be.

Maw Books: Was the experience of writing The Secret Keeper cathartic in any way? A way for you to release some of the emotions that you felt while in Sierra Leone or any other war torn country?

Paul Harris: I think it was. It felt good to get it out on the page, probably more than I realized I needed.

Maw Books: After witnessing so much real-life drama how do you recreate that drama in The Secret Keeper? How are real life emotions different than emotions as written on a page?

Paul Harris: What a fascinating question. I think (I hope) that I tried to recreate that drama as accurately as possible and give my characters emotions that would ring true. I think authors should aim to recreate authenticity. Because readers are not fools and will spot a fake. So I guess it is up to the readers to say if I have succeeded or not.

Maw Books: How have the real life people you met in Sierra Leone influenced the characters/personalities in your book?

Paul Harris: A lot, but not all. The romance between Danny and Maria was inspired by an affair that a colleague and a local aid worker were having. Kam, Danny’s driver and fixer, was based entirely on my driver in real life. Ali was inspired by a guy I met on a helicopter trip. I did not even speak to him, but he just looked so… shady and yet totally at home in his environment. I just extrapolated him from there. The scenes in the hotel bar were all taken from real life. That place was a real “Star Wars” bar that everyone went to every night. Covering a conflict like that at leaves gives one a vast amount of exotic source material.

Maw Books: I thought Kam was quite the character! How much (if any) of you is there in Danny? Is there anything specifically that happened to him that is based upon your real life experiences?

Paul Harris: I think inevitably there is a lot there. A friend pointed out that there is very little physical description of Danny in the book and I guess that is because in my mind’s eye he was basically me. There are several specific incidents inspired by real life events: the shooting outside the RUF leader’s house, the trip to Bo and the fire fight up country towards the end of the book. Mining those events for fictional purposes did feel a little surreal at times.

Maw Books: Knowing what your author photo looked like I have to admit that I kept picturing Danny as you. And what fascinating experiences! Was there a particular scene that you knew you had to write about? That never changed from the moment you conceived it?

Paul Harris: Weirdly, the last sentence was pretty much the first sentence that came to my mind. Writing the book felt like a journey to get to that point and though it took lots of turns and twists, I felt I never really lost sight of it.

Maw Books: What surprised you most about your book and/or characters as you were writing? Did anything turn out radically different than you’d originally thought it would?

Paul Harris: This is a tough one. I had an unusual experience writing the character of Danny’s girlfriend, Rachel. I wanted her to be a sympathetic, good person. But at the end of the first draft my editor said she didn’t really care for her at all, saying she came over as negative and complaining. With that in mind I went back and reread those bits of the book with a fresh eye and was astonished to discover she was right. I had written her in print in a way completely different than what I thought I had. So I went back and rewrote her parts to do her more justice.

Maw Books: While I was reading The Secret Keeper I kept visualizing the story as a movie playing out in my head. If The Secret Keeper were a movie, who would you cast as your characters?

Paul Harris: That’s a fun question. A lot of people say it feels very cinematic. Perhaps Penelope Cruz as Maria. As Danny is inspired by some of my own experiences, I think modesty forbids me making any suggestions. I’ll leave it to readers’ imaginations. They are likely to be more honest than mine.

Maw Books: I could totally see Penelope Cruz as Maria. Good choice! Can you briefly share with us what you think the current state of Sierra Leone is and what you think is in it’s future?

Paul Harris: Sierra Leone – I am delighted to say – is doing well. It is still desperately poor and has huge needs, but the war is over and has been for almost a decade now. Progress is slow but with such a history any sort of progress is to be celebrated. The same can be said of much of the rest of the region where equally devastated countries, like Liberia, are also recovering and stable. It is good news in a troubled world.

Maw Books: I was haunted with the blank stares and listless ex-child soldiers as you wrote about them in the book. Maria, works for an orphanage that took in ex-child soldiers in an attempt to rehabilitate them and place them into homes. Will you share with us some of your experiences with child soldiers in Sierra Leone? Is enough being done for them? What, in your opinion, needs to be done?

Paul Harris: My experiences were mostly limited to meeting them at roadblocks and trying to negotiate my way through them. It is incredibly scary and also incredibly sad, to meet such young children, armed with machine guns, drunk and high and dangerous, and yet fundamentally still children who respond to a laugh and a smile. It is a problem that felt almost impossible to solve and I am no expert. But they need all the help and understanding they can get to help them recover from traumatising experiences that we can never imagine and yet not lose sight of the fact that they remain children. Like everything else in Sierra Leone, resources are small and the need is great. But, at the very least, no more child soldiers are being created.

Maw Books: I have a special interest in Sudan. You have spent some time in Sudan. Can you briefly share a little bit about some of the stories that you covered there?

Paul Harris: I spent some time traveling with Christian missionaries who were buying back black African Sudanese who had been captured in slave raids by Arab Sudanese. I know that sounds incredibly medieval but the South of Sudan back in the 90s was just that kind of place. It is a different world. I also covered a lovely story on a sort of ‘Olympics’ that aid groups organized in the area for local kids who had little else to enjoy in tough childhoods defined by the ongoing civil war. I loved south Sudan. People were generous and kind and it really felt like going back in time. My favourite moment was sleeping in a south Sudanese village, deep in the bush and being awoken by terrible screams and shouts. In the middle of a war zone, you could imagine all sorts of horrors. But the next morning we discovered one of the village elders had had too much to drink and his wife had kicked him out of their hut. It was their argument we had heard. As someone who fundamentally believes that every human being is basically the same, it was a good lesson in the universality of human experience!

Maw Books: I’ve read a bit about the slave trade in South Sudan. It’s just so crazy! And now for a few more “lighter” questions. What’s the last book you finished and what’s on your nightstand right now?

Paul Harris: The last book I read was the excellent Columbine by Dave Cullen. I have not got anything on my night stand just yet as I am about to start doing research for a new book and am going to draw up a long non-fiction reading list based around US politics to kick things off.

Maw Books: What is the best writing advice you have ever received and in turn the best writing advice that you could give?

Paul Harris: The best advice I got was write what you know. It was a great help in giving me the focus to write a book after several false starts over the years on less solid ground. My advice would simply be: a writer writes. So many people say they have books in them, but never finish what they start. You have to persevere. To the end. It sounds blindingly obvious, but the main reason most people don’t get published is because they don’t write a book.

Maw Books: That makes perfect sense. If you could have dinner with any five people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

Paul Harris:

Jesus Christ (just to solve the mystery of who he actually was)
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (the most ‘good’ person I have ever met) Aristophanes (great sense of humour)
JRR Tolkien (he created an entire world inside his head)
Mae West (she would make it a proper party)

Maw Books: Speaking of dinner, a question that I ask of every single author I interview is to share with us a recipe that I will later make and blog about. Do you have a favorite from your world travels that you would care to share with us?

Paul Harris: Food during a lot of my travels has not been that good (two months of military rations in Iraq!). But here is a dish from Cape Town in South Africa, with its origins in the Cape Malay community, people descended from Malaysian slaves brought over by the Dutch in the 17th Century. It is called Bobotie and is a bit (only a bit) like a moussaka.

Link to Bobotie recipe.

Maw Books: Seriously, sounds delicious. I’m going to try to get everything I need for it. So what are you doing right now? Do you have any more books in your future?

Paul Harris: I am just starting a second book. Set against the backdrop of an American presidential campaign. I covered the 2004 and 2008 elections and want to capture some of that amazing excitement and drama. As I said earlier: write what you know.

Maw Books: Anything else you would like to share with the Maw Books readers?

Paul Harris: Just to say thanks for reading and commenting. The experience of doing this sort of thing online is a lot of fun and also blogs like Maw Books are so important these days. For readers and for authors. We’re entering a whole new world together.

Giveaway: I was able to pick up a second copy of The Secret Keeper that I would love to pass on to you. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me what you found the most interesting from this interview with Paul Harris. If you would like to double your chances of winning, also leave a comment responding to my book review of The Secret Keeper. Giveaway is open world-wide and I’ll pick a winner on May 27th.

Links of interest: The Secret Keeper website. Maw Books review of The Secret Keeper.
Genre: Mystery/thriller.
Publisher: Dutton Adult. April 2nd, 2009
Hardcover, 336 pages. ISBN: 0525951024
The Secret Keeper is available from your independent bookstore, Powell’s, Barnes and Noble and Amazon.
.

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Book Wish Foundation – Reading Relief for Refugees of Darfur

Natasha Maw — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:17:01 +0000

For those of you who have been with my blog longer than just the last three months already realize how much Darfur means to me. During September, I organized the Reading and Blogging for Darfur campaign which raised funds and awareness about the current genocide taking place in Darfur, Sudan. That project is among one of the most important things that I felt I did this year. I was touched by how much my fellow bloggers and book readers supported the project and learned how they could help.

I would now like to point your attention to an organization that is also helping Darfur refugees in Chad. Book Wish Foundation is an organization that aims to provide reading relief by putting books into the hands of primary school, pre-school, or literacy program students in the refugee camps. Books, libraries, reading glasses, and school supplies are all part of the project.

According to Book Wish Foundation:

Book Wish Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 26-1285319) with a mission to provide reading relief for people in crisis. In partnership with organizations that work on the ground in some of the most distressed places around the world, we support reading to improve education, mental health, and occupational training.

Reading relief is a concept much broader than providing books. It encompasses all of the aid for community institutions and individuals that makes reading possible. This includes, for example, support for libraries, schools, informal literacy and language programs, and vision care. To provide relief, this aid must match the specific needs that exist, which vary according to the crisis situation, culture, language, demographics, educational history, and aspirations of the people being served. These needs form the basis of the Wish Lists on our website, and provide an opportunity for highly targeted giving.

We focus on people in long-term crisis situations because they may face problems so grave that reading relief is not a major component of the aid they receive, although reading may have a great positive impact on their lives. Refugees, internally displaced people, school-aged children not in school, the homeless, the critically ill, and the desperately poor are among the populations we aim to reach.

Book Wish Foundation was formed in October 2007 by the mother-son team of bibliophiles Lorraine and Logan Kleinwaks, in response to a Washington Post article describing the lack of books in a refugee camp in Eastern Chad. We are staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers, and all money and goods donated for specific projects or Wish List items will be used only for those purposes. Incidental costs, such as for office supplies, are not funded through these targeted donations. Public documents of the Foundation are posted on our website and can conveniently be viewed here. A financial statement is available upon written request from the Office of Consumer Affairs of the State of Virginia, where we are registered to solicit charitable donations.

One of the reasons, I wanted to mention Book Wish Foundation was because of the creative post holiday campaign that they just launched:

We’ve just launched a (post-)holiday campaign to raise funds for library construction, English textbooks, and primary school textbooks for the Darfuris in the Bredjing, Treguine, and Gaga refugee camps in eastern Chad. Here’s how it works: we want you to count the books you received as presents this year and donate $1 per book. You can choose how the money is spent and read more details at holiday.bookwish.org.

A little bit always goes a long way. We all love books. We all asked for books for the holidays. We gave books and we received books. Now we can give just a little more. My kids received at least 15 books for Christmas. I will personally be donating $1 per book to the Book Wish Foundation. If you feel you are able, I invite you to do the same. Sadly, the genocide in Darfur isn’t over yet. Refugees in Chad need your help getting back on their feet. Putting books into the hands of those who needs them is just one small way to make a difference.

Visit Book Wish Foundation and the Holiday Book Wish website for more information.

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Final Update – Reading & Blogging for Darfur

Natasha Maw — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:01:52 +0000

Finally! I think I’ve finally finished the final update of the Reading & Blogging for Darfur awareness campaign. For details on all of the books and posts that these figures are based on, visit my September wrap-up post.

Here’s How We Did

I read 31 books in September for a grand total of: 5,405 pages at a penny per page equals $54.05
Number of posts I published during September: 62 @ .50 cents per post equals $31.00
Number of comments and trackbacks received during September: 1140 at .10 cents a comment equals $114.00
Number of bloggers who posted about the campaign: 58 at .50 cents each equals $29.00
Number of bloggers who posted button in their sidebar: 32 at .50 cents each equals $16.00
Number of Darfur books read or documentaries watched: 31 at .50 cents each equals $15.50
Number of books or videos reviewed by bloggers: 29 at $1 each equals $29

The Quick Numbers

So it looks like I’ll be donating $203.50
If you chose to sponsor me at a penny a page that total is $54.05
If you chose to sponsor me at .50 cents a post that total is $31.00
If you chose to sponsor me at both a penny a page and .50 cents a post that total is $85.05
As of today and according to my rough numbers I had 13 people sponsor me at a penny per page for a total of $702.6 and 14 people sponsor me at .50 cents a post for a total of $434.00. So in addition to my $203.5, you helped raise $1136.60.

It’s not too late, if you’d like to go ahead and sponsor me now that you have an idea of dollar amounts, go right ahead!

How to Make Your Donation

Many have inquired about sending money directly to me, to which I say, no thank you please. Take a look at the list below and choose the organization that you feel you are most comfortable with and donate directly to them. Some organizations fund awareness campaigns to pressure politicians to take action and others deal directly with the people in Darfur helping with services and programs. If you find an organization not on this list, feel free to donate to them as well.

This is total honor system here on your donation. I trust your guilt will get to you when a year from now you realize you forgot to make your donation

ORGANIZATIONS WHO ACCEPT DONATIONS with interest and a presence in Darfur, Sudan:

International Rescue Committee, Donate for Darfur. 90% of funds go to humanitarian services and programs, 10% to administration and fundraising. Your donation will go specifically to Darfurians.
Save Darfur. Funds crucial awareness and advocacy programs that play a critical role in building the political pressure needed to end the crisis in Darfur.
Enough Project Founded by John Prendergast, funds help galvanize public and political leaders to effectively confront mass violence against innocent civilians in Darfur and southern Sudan, northern Uganda, eastern Congo and Chad.
A list of 20 non-profit organizations who have a presence in Darfur. I recommend looking at each organization closely to determine how your donation is used.
Another great list of humanitarian organizations in Darfur. Again, browse around and decide if one looks right for you. Everybody from The Red Cross to Save the Children.

Raising Awareness

A huge part of this campaign was to raise awareness about the genocide in Darfur. I know a lot of you have mentioned that you have learned so much when you knew so little about Darfur. I remember the first time I ever saw the word Darfur. It was on the way to my husbands grandma’s house. There was this college duplex that had a huge sign in the window that said, “Save Darfur.” After passing that sign half a dozen times, I started to feel guilty that I didn’t know what in the world they were talking about. So of course I had to look it up. It’s that same type of awareness that you’ve helped to create as you talk with your friends, neighbors, bloggers, etc.

Check out these awesome bloggers:

Mari from Mari Reads reviews Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival by Jen
Wordlily reviews The Devil Came on Horseback documentary over at Please Pass the Popcorn.
Joy from Thoughts of Joy reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari.
Tanabata at In Spring it is the Dawn reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari.
Ana from Diary of an Eccentric reviews Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Bermudaonion reviews Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Melissa from Shhh I’m Reading reviews Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Joanne from The Ride watched and reviewed the the Darfur Diaries documentary.
Ramya from Ramya’s Bookshelf reviewed The Devil Came on Horseback, Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steadle.
Lisa from Books, Lists, Life reviewed Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and Jon Prendergast
Samantha from Sam’s Book Blog reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari.
Madeleine from Madeleine’s Book Blog reviews The Devil Came on Horseback documentary.
Nicole from Books, Books, and More Great Books writes up an amazing review of The Devil Came on Horseback, Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steadle.
Ali from Worducopia reviews the documentary Darfur Now.
Heather from Book Addiction reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari.
Amy from The Sleepy Reader reviews The Devil came on Horseback, Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steadle.
Jen from Devourer of Books reviews Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Amy from Amy’s Haiku Haven reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari and Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and Jon Prendergast, the video Journey to Darfur and the documentary on Sudan from Vice Magazine.
Mrs. B. Roth from It is I, Mrs. B. Roth watched the documentary The Devil Came on Horseback.
Marcia at The Printed Page also read Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur.
Becky from Becky’s Book Reviews read Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and Jon Prendergast.
Tracy from Bookroom Reviews watched and reviewed the documentary Darfur Now.
Megan from Leafing Through Life read Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Alyce from At Home With Books reviews The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darufr by Daoud Hari.
Kathy from Bermudaonion reviews Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir.
Jenn M. at Knowledge Tree Day Care reviews the documentary The Devil Came on Horseback.
Donna Gephart watched the documentary The Devil Came on Horseback.
Daniel watched the documentary Darfur Now.

Did I miss you?Let me know.

What I have on the Maw Books Blog:

Giveaways!

Thank you to the many wonderful authors and publishing companies who have generously donated their books including Susan McBride, Cynthia Lord, Christina Meldrum, Leslie Patricelli, James Dashner, J. Scott Savage, Hatchette Book Group, Literary Ventures Fund, Nation Books, Random House, and Rich Women Sisterhood.

To be eligible for at least one of the 50 prizes you must have during this past month either read a book about Darfur, watched a documentary about Darfur, posted about the campaign on your blog, or put the button in your blog sidebar. (I do have more than 50 people eligible, so I’m going to feel really, really bad for those who don’t win.)

One person is going home with ALL the books!! Yes, ALL of them! At least $800 worth of prizes! To be eligible for this grand prize you must either sponsor me at a penny per page, .50 cents a post, or both. See totals above. Seriously, $30 gets you a chance to win a ton of books?! Not bad, I say.

All the prizes and how to register for them are in the post directly following this one.

THANK YOU!

I wish I could personally thank all of you for making this such a success. I know that what we do isn’t going to make the genocide in Dafur stop right now, but I do know that every little bit helps. And when this whole thing is over, we won’t tell ourselves, “I knew, but did nothing.” I can’t say thank you enough.

Any questions? If so just let me know.

Genocide in Darfur by Janey Levy

Natasha Maw — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:45:47 +0000

Genocide in Darfur by Janey Levy is a new book that just came out this month. Written for the 14-17 age level, it’s a great new addition to the library of Darfur reading, especially for children.

Genocide in Darfur is easy to read, has an excellent format and great photos. It’s split into five sections: a brief history of genocide in general, Sudan’s timeline and the events that lead up to the genocide, the actual genocide, insight into the victims and aggressors, and how the world is responding to the genocide in Darfur. At the back of the book, there is a timeline, a glossary, resources for more information and further reading, and a bibliography.

While I didn’t find any of the content original (all the stories referenced other books which I had already read), Genocide in Darfur is a great reference book that I’d recommend as an excellent introduction for children and teenagers to the atrocities in Darfur.

Another book for children, but at a younger reading level, that I would recommend about the genocide in Darfur is The Sudan Project: Rebuilding With the People of Darfur: A Young Person’s Guide by Melissa Leembruggen (read my book review and an interview with the author).

Other books I’ve reviewed about Darfur:
Darfur Diaries: Stories of Survival by Jen Marlowe
The Devil Came on Horseback, Bearing Witness to the Genocide in Darfur by Brian Steidle and Gretchen Steidle Wallace
Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond by Don Cheadle and Jon Prendergast
The Translator, A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari
Guest Post: Dennis Burke, Co-Author of The Translator, A Tribesman Memoir of Survival in Darfur
Tears of the Desert, A Memoir of Survival in Darfur by Halima Bashir with Damien Lewis