Reviews for Jambula Tree and other stories: The Caine Prize for African Writing 8th Annual Collection

The average rating for Jambula Tree and other stories: The Caine Prize for African Writing 8th Annual Collection based on 6 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-01-22 00:00:00 David Liang I'm cheating, because I've read only the title story. But it was really good and I wanted to leave a review. It's a very delicate story told in the first person by one of the two MCs. The other one was (view spoiler)[sent away to London after both were caught kissing under the jambula tree. Now, 5 years later she is coming back (hide spoiler)] . It feels quite hopeful and one cannot avoid to root for the two protagonists. There are a number of very typical African words, but you can read the story I'm cheating, because I've read only the title story. But it was really good and I wanted to leave a review. It's a very delicate story told in the first person by one of the two MCs. The other one was (view spoiler)[sent away to London after both were caught kissing under the jambula tree. Now, 5 years later she is coming back (hide spoiler)] . It feels quite hopeful and one cannot avoid to root for the two protagonists. There are a number of very typical African words, but you can read the story even if you don't know them (or you can look them up). It gives you also the atmosphere of this community. By the way I've heard of this story because I'm going to see the Kenyan film «Rafiki» (Friend), forbidden in Kenya because it depicts a lesbian love story. «Kenya is one of the 37 African countries, and over 70 countries around the world which still criminalise homosexual acts, with consenting partners found conducting same sex relations facing up to 14 years imprisonment.» I don't see why loving someone could be a criminal act and I hope for a change in legislation.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-10-17 00:00:00 Matthew Froderman I only read the short story featured in the title - I guess this read counts (?). I was pleasantly surprised by this short story, which criticises and touches upon cultural issues in Uganda. It's the story of two adolescent girls, Anyango and Sangu, who `prefer' one another and eventually act upon their growing feelings for each other. It's a short and bittersweet story, but it's the realism of it which hit me most.

Review # 3 was written on 2015-08-03 00:00:00 Whitman Lam An amazing collection of stories.

Review # 4 was written on 2020-11-30 00:00:00 Komora Mwanika I only read "Jambula Tree" by Monica Arac de Nyeko but I'm definitely going to read the other stories as well. "Jambula Tree" was written beautifully and I was moved by Anyango and Sanyu's love story. It's the first lgbtq+ story set in East Africa that I've read and I enjoyed it. This short story inspired the film "Rafiki" showed at Cannes in 2018. The story in the film takes place in Kenya instead of Uganda like in the short story. "Rafiki" stirred up a lot of controversy in Kenya where it was banned. It's unfortunate this happened but I'm still hopeful that one day the lgbtq+ community in Africa will no longer be persecuted for being who they want to be and loving who they want. Love is Love!

Review # 5 was written on 2020-02-27 00:00:00 Karen Gesler I enjoyed reading this short story collection. It features authors who are both men and women, from several different countries and offer varying perspectives. I stumbled upon this book by luck only because I am trying to participate in the Reading the World project, and I was researching Ugandan authors whose work has been written in English. This led me to Monica Arac de Nyeko, who wrote the short story "The Jambula Tree" which heads this collection (and which won the Caine Prize).

Review # 6 was written on 2018-06-05 00:00:00 Johnny Alexander Read for class.