SHE PLAYS WITH THE DARKNESS

I have been reading a lot of books that leave me speechless and this one has been no different. If I’m honest this book didn’t appeal to me because I am one who definitely judges the book by how shiny the cover is and I didn’t even know this author whose other works I’m now hunting for. 

From reading the book you’ll find out that the title is an apt description of Dikosha’s actions whilst for me although the narration alternates between Dikosha and Radisene I feel there’s a greater focus on Radisene. 

Dikosha appears to be very nonchalant about everything that society sees the need to be frantic about. It is obvious she has an eye for art, from her ability to dance, see, music, find beauty in the “heathen” Ditema and the cave paintings. She is an extraordinarily beautiful woman but even that is not as exciting for me as her ability to do what she wants with no judgement. She lives this eccentric life with the cave people who heal her by pulling arrows from her body and dances within the confines of her rondavel. What amazes me is the power of her silence, it has become something to aspire to. 

Radisene however lacks the wow factor that his sister has. He has been awarded the opportunity to go further in school which his sister has been disallowed. His mediocrity is jarring, he performs dismally in school and manages to assert himself in society only through a scam. 

Professor Zanemvula Kizito Gatyeni Mda who uses the pen name Zakes Mda definitely hit the nail with this one. There is so much about his characters that is relatable. I found myself spotting many similarities between the people of Lesotho depicted in this story and my own. This is definitely a book to read.

HM

The Last Day I Saw Him

He was good for drinking, jocose conversations between sips of red. Tongue darting out to taste before the lips could touch his glass then erupting into mourns of approval. Amusing to watch just before his rumblings would begin, a telling of stories he would have mulled over all week. All week when I had been left to simmer in my anger; plotting to bring him down, hurt him half as much but right now feeling all that anger disappear. 

Another sip, slower this time as he picked up the vibrating phone off the table. He smiled at it for a moment and a new set of emotions washed over me. I was jealous, inching closer to insanity with each moment I spent with him. So he did have time to look at his phone or maybe it all depended on who it was. I was being irrational, maybe if we engaged in small talk my head would stop spinning. 

“So this is how it’s going to be?”

Far from what I wanted to say but today I was exhausted, the very idea of pretence draining the life out of me. I knew what he was going to say, we had been repeating this conversation for months now. He was going to assure me that whatever was going on between him and Claire was nothing more than a figment of my imagination. That he in fact wasn’t becoming distant but as a business man he had been caught up with meetings. 

But he didn’t know what I knew.

I had cried already, fallen and risen in my pain and today I had no strength for these charades. I couldn’t speak and so I left not caring if he came after me or not. The screenshot of Claire’s Instagram photo in my bed, in my robe weighing down my phone.
*~*

My first attempt at writing a short story. I got stuck but I’m posting it anyway. I hope I get better, constructive criticism greatly appreciated.

HM 

3 WOMEN, 3 BOOKS

If you hadn’t noticed I was on hiatus and now that I’m back I have very little strength or interest to continue the 30 day challenge. I will indulge you in some of the blog challenges gradually throughout the coming year though but at a slower pace. 
This year I have managed to read a book a month and I am in the process of reading yet another amazing book but I have decided to tell you about the three women I met from January to March. Two amazing female authors and three books between them.  It’s safe to say I’ve fallen in love with them. 

January with Ifemelu

  

In Americanah, through the protagonist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie discusses race, romance and immigrant life through the powerful and assertive Ifemelu. The differences between American black and black are exposed and that in itself was enough to shake me. One can relate to the situations faced by Ifemelu abroad and the hard decisions one has to make as an immigrant in private whilst also maintaining a seemingly stable life through romance. This read was definitely overdue. The lessons it carries ones that will stick with me for life.

February with Olanna

  

I am one of those people who cry when they are reading books. This book broke my heart and had me hurting for days, another amazing book by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The pain of the Biafrans  is illustrated and the height of the injustice put into perspective through this mix of history and fiction. Olanna is changed largely by this war and we see her fitting into a role we couldn’t ever have imagined for her. The evil that is tribalism is explored through a story that transports you to this historic time.

March with Esi

  

Ama Ata Aidoo takes us through a journey with Esi. Nothing is ever answered as the story narrated in third person is told. One is left wondering whether marriage is the end goal for all women or even all relationships. Esi fails to find satisfaction in either of the two marriages to the two great men she has married and divorced. 

That’s all for now. Any recommendations? Anyone want to send me some books in the mail😁

HM