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Charles Darwin's great-great-granddaughter pens poems about his life. Via @brainpicker: http://t.co/AEvkdUKIDf

Mgqolozana, Unigwe and Others on Zukiswa Wanner’s List of Top African Writers

Men of the SouthIn an article in The Guardian, Books LIVE member Zukiswa Wanner, author of Men of the South, has compiled a list of African authors to keep your eyes on.

Her list of five includes fellow community members Chika Unigwe (On Black Sisters’ Street and Night Dancer) and Thando Mgqolozana (A Man Who is Not a Man and Hear Me Alone). Take a look:

The South African writer Mike Nicol once told me that when he started writing back in the 80s, he had read most of the books published in his country. I knew what he meant. Every time I walk into any city – whether it’s Accra, Algiers, Johannesburg or Nairobi – the first place I want to find is a bookstore, and the first section I seek is the tiny little section labelled Africana/African Literature/African writers. Nine times out of 10 I used to find that I had read every book on the shelf. That is not the case any more. African bookstores continent-wide may prefer stocking Grisham, Picoult, Steel and self-help galore, but these days I always find something new from an African writer.

Here’s a personal selection of some authors beyond the two or three African writers whose names come up every time African writers are discussed. They cover a broad range of subjects and genres, but they are all writers who challenge themselves and go the next step with each story.

Dark Heart of the NightThe Lazarus EffectGood Morning, ComradesOn Black Sisters' StreetNight DancerA Man Who is Not a ManHear Me Alone

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Recent comments:

  • <a href="http://helenmoffett.book.co.za" rel="nofollow">Helen</a>
    Helen
    September 10th, 2012 @12:38 #
     
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    The Guardian, nogal -- well done, Zuki, and thanks for steering away from the usual suspects.

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