Stories about Literature from November, 2009
Ecuador: Carlos Vega Book
In Ecuador, Eduardo Varas reviews the most recent book written by Carlos Vera [es] and its place in the current conflict between the government and the press.
Costa Rica: Science Fiction Anthology called Possible Futures
Costa Rican writer Antonio Chamu writes that
St. Lucia, U.S.A.: New Book of Poetry
From St. Lucia, Caribbean Book Blog interviews Dr. Neal Hall about his new anthology of verse, Nigger For Life.
Egypt's First Adult Graphic Novel Officially Banned
Magdy El Shafee's adult graphic novel Metro has been banned in Egypt, following a court order. Bloggers and Facebook users react to the decision, which they say is yet another blow to freedom of expression.
Jamaica, Bahamas, U.S.A.: Copyright Options
In response to Jamaican blogger Geoffrey Philp‘s “cautionary tale on the dangers of unregistered creative property”, the Bahamas’ Scavella's Blogsphere says: “This is all very well and good, but I’m not American. I don’t live in the USA. What substitute is there for me?”
Japan: Secondhand books to loose yourself in
Photographer Damoncoulter presents some pictures of the Secondhand Book Fair in Shimbashi (Tokyo). In the heart of the Tokyo business district, the fair (held in middle November) was mostly attended by “salarymen” looking for rare pieces of literature to read on the way home.
Japanese concepts through images and videos
Lee at Tokyo Times defines the Japanese notions of wabi-sabi through photographs while the Through Eyes From Afar blog posts some videos to explain the concept of tsundere and yandere.
Palestine: Gaza Reading Club Learns About Kindle
In Gaza, the members of the Qattan Foundation Reading Club were recently introduced to the Kindle, and photos have been posted on the club's blog [Ar].
Guyana: Autobiographical
“I've always thought of autobiography as an attempt to leave behind–forever in memoriam–something more or less truthful about one's existence”: Signifyin’ Guyana wonders what the first lines of your autobiography would be.
Africa: Allah is not obliged
Sokari reviews Ahmadou Kourouma's novel, Allah is not obliged: “There are three sets of interwoven stories. The story of Birahima and his many wanderings with different militias across the region which makes a mockery of the artificial boundaries created by colonial rulers – only tribes not countries have meaning in...
Malawi: No guts, No Glory
No Guts, No Glory is a story from Lilongwe Writers Circle: “First disappointment – no booze. Secondly, it was full of young, enthusiastic, teetotallers – us alcoholic grannies didn’t know anyone. Thirdly, since when was spirituality a requirement for humanitarian interest?”
Hungary: More on Imre Kertész's Interview
More on the Hungarian reactions to Imre Kertész's Die Welt interview – at Hungarian Spectrum. (Marietta Le's GV post about it is here.)
Finland: The Language Issue
Nordic Voices writes about Finland's “language issue.”
U.S., Europe: Immigrant Writing; Diaspora Mentality
Maud Newton writes about a newly-published anthology of immigrant writing, “Becoming Americans.” Sublime Oblivion examines the views of “Russian political analyst & nationalist Konstantin Krylov” on “international diasporas” and “the diaspora mentality.”
U.S.: Redesign Of Vladimir Nabokov's Book Covers
At Design Observer, John Gall writes about the redesign of Vladimir Nabokov's book covers: “All twenty-one of them.” (Link via Maud Newton.)
France: Does Prestigious Literary Award Entail a “Duty of Restraint” ?
The start of this year's French literary season saw French-Senegalese novelist and playwright Marie N'Diaye awarded a much-awaited Prix Goncourt. However, N'Diaye and her family moved to Berlin two years ago, in large part because of French president Nicolas Sarkozy's politics. Will this be another opportunity to celebrate diversity in a changing French society? Or will the moment be spoiled by controversy?
Liberia: Too Late for Flowers
Too Late for Flowers is a short story by Liberian writer Saah Millimono: “Theresa was in her seventies, lean, gray-headed, with a wrinkled face and almost toothless mouth when I moved into her house as a tenant. She had suffered a stroke that left her right leg crippled and her...
Japan: Hitler's “Mein Kampf”, the manga version
After more than 80 years since its first publication, Hitler's Mein Kampf has become a Manga comic. The 190 page volume, which sold some 45,000 copies in the first printing, tells in a very simple way the story of Adolf Hitler, from his childhood to his rise as the leader...
Cambodia: Comics culture
Webbed Feet, Web Log notes that Cambodia had a thriving comics culture during the socialist era but it declined when the country adopted free market principles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Hungary: Comments on the Interview with Imre Kertész
The anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has inspired Hungarian bloggers, too: they are discussing an interview with Imre Kertész, a Nobel Prize-winning Hungarian author living in Berlin, which appeared in the German newspaper Die Welt.
Peru: One Hundred Years of Writer Ciro Alegría
Peruvian writer Ciro Alegía was born 100 years ago, and his best-known novel "Broad and Alien is the World" focuses on the struggles of an indigenous community in the northern highlands.
