May '23 Reviews

3 May 2023

ARCHITECTURE (GHANA/DIASPORA)

Adjaye: Works 2007-2015: Houses, Pavilions, Installations, Buildings edited by Peter Allison, 2022
R1770 from Jonathan Ball

Beautifully photographed and presented, with pithy descriptions of each of the almost 50 projects featured, Adjaye: Works 2007-2015 tracks the output during those years of Africa’s preeminent contemporary architect, David Adjaye. Born in Tanzania of Ghanaian descent and now based in London, Adjaye’s work runs the gamut from temporary pavilions to houses, galleries, offices and libraries. His brilliant deployment of materials, which repeatedly adds a reflexive and almost spiritual dimension to his projects, is especially well documented here. RA

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO)

Homo Détritus by Stéphan Gladieu, Text by Wilfried N’Sondo, 2022
R795 from Jonathan Ball

A riveting collection of portraits shot on the streets of Kinshasa, Homo Détritus documents a Congolese performance art collective that has taken a defiant stand against poverty, pollution and Africa being a dumping ground for global waste. They create masquerade-like costumes out of rubbish, birthing illustrious robot-like characters who parade the slums. Wilfried N’Sonde’s flawless narration complements Gladieu’s arresting images evoking an afro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic landscape inhabited by humanoids whose genius lies in their acute creative resourcefulness. Protest art never looked so spirited, so clever or so urgent. NS

ART, PHOTOGRAPHY (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO)

Homo Détritus by Stéphan Gladieu, Text by Wilfried N’Sondo, 2022
R795 from Jonathan Ball

A riveting collection of portraits shot on the streets of Kinshasa, Homo Détritus documents a Congolese performance art collective that has taken a defiant stand against poverty, pollution and Africa being a dumping ground for global waste. They create masquerade-like costumes out of rubbish, birthing illustrious robot-like characters who parade the slums. Wilfried N’Sonde’s flawless narration complements Gladieu’s arresting images evoking an afro-futuristic, post-apocalyptic landscape inhabited by humanoids whose genius lies in their acute creative resourcefulness. Protest art never looked so spirited, so clever or so urgent. NS

ESSAYS/MEMOIR (KENYA)

How to Write About Africa by Binyavanga Wainana, 2022
R405 from The Book Lounge

“How to write about Africa” is Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainana’s most famous essay, a satirical tour de force that made fun of western perceptions and portrayals of African realities, and also reasserted that agency for African writers. So it’s fitting that this collection of his writings, posthumously published after his sadly early demise aged just 48, bears the same title. But these essays are much richer than the titular piece’s writing back against the empire. They’re lovely, at times uncertain stories about the intricate details that made up Wainana’s rich experiences – from vivid, visceral explorations of food, to meditations on politics, sexuality and culture. CR

ESSAYS/MEMOIR (KENYA)

How to Write About Africa by Binyavanga Wainaina, 2022
R405 from The Book Lounge

“How to write about Africa” is Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina’s most famous essay, a satirical tour de force that made fun of western perceptions and portrayals of African realities, and also reasserted that agency for African writers. So it’s fitting that this collection of his writings, posthumously published after his sadly early demise aged just 48, bears the same title. But these essays are much richer than the titular piece’s writing back against the empire. They’re lovely, at times uncertain stories about the intricate details that made up Wainaina’s rich experiences – from vivid, visceral explorations of food, to meditations on politics, sexuality and culture. CR

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (SOUTH AFRICA)

Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph, 2022
R300 from The Book Lounge

Children of Sugarcane is a triumph. Joanne Joseph crafts compelling historical fiction while skilfully exposing the intergenerational wounds caused by the British empire’s project of colonialism. The novel centres on Shanti, a formidable heroine whose journey thrusts us into the horrors of indentured labour at the Colony of Natal during the nineteenth century. Ultimately, this is a well-written, intriguing epic about love and reconciliation, whose historical context amplifies a message of hope, resistance and resilience. NS

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (SOUTH AFRICA)

Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph, 2022
R300 from The Book Lounge

Children of Sugarcane is a triumph. Joanne Joseph crafts compelling historical fiction while skilfully exposing the intergenerational wounds caused by the British empire’s project of colonialism. The novel centres on Shanti, a formidable heroine whose journey thrusts us into the horrors of indentured labour at the Colony of Natal during the nineteenth century. Ultimately, this is a well-written, intriguing epic about love and reconciliation, whose historical context amplifies a message of hope, resistance and resilience. NS

CONTEMPORARY FICTION (KENYA)

The Havoc of Choice by Wanjiru Koinange, 2022
R240 from The Book Lounge

This is a sensitive retelling of the horrific violence that took place following the Kenyan elections of 2007. The story is narrated through the perspectives of a prominent family, together with their staff. In this debut novel, Wanjiru Koinange highlights the political and tribal environment of Kenya and explores themes of class, loss and corruption. A story well told. BM

POETRY (SOUTH AFRICA)

According to Hope and Love Handles by Puno Selesho, 2023 and 2021
R240 and R240 from The Book Lounge

In these collections, Puno Selesho documents her navigation of adulthood and journey towards self. Through beautiful prose and poetry, she chronicles her search for love and light, for meaning in the marvellous and mundane. BM

POETRY (SOUTH AFRICA)

According to Hope and Love Handles by Puno Selesho, 2023 and 2021
R240 and R240 from The Book Lounge

In these collections, Puno Selesho documents her navigation of adulthood and journey towards self. Through beautiful prose and poetry, she chronicles her search for love and light, for meaning in the marvellous and mundane. BM

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