The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

Posted: 01 Oct 2012 07:13 PM PDT

NIGERIA'S Chinua Achebe (pic), often called the father of modern African literature, released his first major work in years last Thursday with a long-awaited memoir centred on the war that nearly destroyed his nation.

There Was A Country: A Personal History Of Biafra chronicles Achebe's experiences during Nigeria's 1967-1970 civil war, which saw his native eastern region, dominated by the Igbo ethnic group, secede as the Republic of Biafra.

The split came largely in response to massacres of Igbos in Nigeria's north and saw Achebe, author of the revered novel Things Fall Apart (1958), speak out forcefully in support of the move.

The tensions that ignited the Biafran conflict, which left around one million people dead, including many from starvation, are largely settled.

Experts, however, say a Biafra memoir from the 81-year-old Achebe is urgently needed in a country that remains deeply fractured on other levels.

"Achebe is sustaining the debate on integration, on unity and on oneness," says Dapo Thomas, a history professor at Lagos State University.

The octogenarian remains a towering figure in Nigerian and African literature, though he has been based in the United States in recent years where he has been a professor at Brown University in Rhode Island. He travels infrequently due to a 1990 car accident that left him in a wheelchair.

Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, about the collision between British colonial rule and Igbo society, remains a landmark work 54 years after its release.

"Just as we read Shakespeare, it's not possible for any student in this department to graduate without reading the works of Chinua Achebe," says Adeyemi Daramola, head of the English department at the University of Lagos.

His legacy is secure in Nigeria but his absence has been felt, says Daramola. "For Achebe to have been away for so long, we have indeed missed him." – AFP

American author shares his Malaysian thoughts in debut novel

Posted: 01 Oct 2012 03:57 PM PDT

An American author with a Malaysian connection — including a love of durians! — shares his thoughts on his debut novel.

I WAS given a copy of The Blackberry Bush by a dear friend recently. Having been reading some serious books of late, it was a refreshing change indeed. The story of Josh and Kati, interwoven into historical events of the 20th century, is not only heart-warming but forces you to think about your own life. It is a story of love, forgiveness and redemption.

As I turned the pages, I was reminded that we are all journeying on in life, physically and spiritually. I reckon anyone who reads this book will come away with a very personal verdict of what this book is all about, and what it means to him.

So instead of reviewing it, I decided to e-mail author David Housholder, currently a pastor based in California, for his thoughts about the book.

The Blackberry Bush is obviously going to be the first in a series. What is your overall vision for the series?

Yes, the prequel, Amber Eyes, is almost finished. I designed the main characters (11 of them) before working out the story line, and just let them do what came naturally. Joshua's grandmother, Adri, was a character just screaming for her own book. So I gave it to her. Her story will describe her younger life and adventures.

How long did it take you to write this book and how has the response been so far?

I write very quickly, about 2,000 in two hours, every day. So it did not take long. The response has been strongest among those who enjoy deep and complex themes and storylines. Educated women in their 20s have been the primary buyers of the book. Over half of the fans on the novel's Facebook page are from India! Our best reviews have come from Turkey, especially one from a Muslim reviewer. Also, English teachers and book clubs are using it, because it comes with a study guide in the back.

The book digs into inter-cultural themes. To what extent is your own life, based on your travels and stays in many different parts of the world, interwoven into this novel?

All novels are autobiographical. This one is no exception. We have a three-continent family. My wife was born in Malaysia. I was born in the American Rocky Mountains. Our son was born in Germany. Imagine a kaleidoscope with little events from my life as coloured glass. I just kept turning it round and round until I liked the pattern. And then I wrote it down.

Your family also has a history in our part of the world. Can you share with us the connection?

My wife was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur. Her father was managing director for Anglo-American. I have also worked among the orang asli (helping them build native stilt homes and eating heaps of durian!) and what I enjoy most about Malaysia is makan-makan – best food in the world. I also love Lat cartoons.

Malaysia will be featured in the sequel, with one scene already written that takes place in the Batu Caves.

You dream and work for a better world, how?

I believe that our Creator is in charge and that His project will not fail. I also have a lot of love for the world's young adult population. They have high ideals and want to live in a world of peace and prosperity. I believe that they will make it happen as they get older.

> Soo Ewe Jin is a deputy executive editor at The Star.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Selasa, 2 Oktober 2012

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

The Star Online: Lifestyle: Bookshelf

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