Stories about Literature from April, 2011
Argentina: Writer Ernesto Sabato Dies at Age 99
Argentine writer Ernesto Sabato passed away on April 30 at age 99. Buenos Aires Herald describes him as “one of the most influential writers in Argentine literature and author of the trilogy of novels, ‘The Tunnel’ (1948), ‘Of Heroes and Graves’ (1961) and ‘Abadon, the Exterminator’ (1974).” His readers are...
South Sudan: Prose/Poetry Magazine for South Sudan
TORE is a poetry/prose magazine for South Sudan: “There are some great stories & poems in here as well as a few opinion peices on Sudan. There is also some excellent layout and design if I don’t say so myself.”
Jamaica: Honesty in Poetry
Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp notices “a brutal honesty” in his featured poem by Kei Miller.
Kenya: Poets and Writers Meet in Nairobi
Poets and writers meet in Nairobi, Njeri Wangari reports: “Last Saturday, 23rd April was the inaugural POWO event – a forum for Poets and Writers that seeks to encourage Kenyan Creative writers to exploit the various opportunities presented by their internet for promotion of their writing.”
Guyana, St. Lucia, T&T: Literary Achievements
Lots of literature in the regional blogosphere today – Signifyin’ Guyana asks, “You going Trinidad for Bocas?”, while Caribbean Book Blog notes that Trinidadian author Earl Lovelace “has been awarded the first Grand Prize for Caribbean Literature by the Regional Council of Guadeloupe for his new book, Is Just a...
Chile: Poet Gonzalo Rojas Dies at Age 93
Julio Suarez Anturi blogs [es] about the passing of Chilean poet Gonzalo Rojas and shares 4 of his poems.
Central Asia: “Cyber Chaikhana,” Book Written by Bloggers
"Cyber Chaikhana" is a book project about Central Asian bloggers and their perceptions of their region, culture and everyday life. Edited by Christopher Schwartz and published by HIVOS, the book is a collection of narratives written by the bloggers at NewEurasia.net, the Central Asian blogging network. The aim of the project is to reach out to both the Central Asian (Russian speaking) and global audiences.
Jamaica: Walcott's Work
Litblogger Geoffrey Philp features a poem by Derek Walcott, saying: “I swear, [he] makes writing verse look so easy…a poet whose oeuvre shows a deep love for the Caribbean–its language, landscape and light.”
Kenya: Poets and Writers Online
The power of the pen meets the power of the Net in Kenya: “The digital world remains unconquered by creative writers with platforms like Itunes offering opportunities to poets and writers who can turn their work into audio. Youtube is a free video site where one can easily upload their...
St. Lucia: Cricket – Symbol of Wider Malaise?
The poor state of West Indies cricket gets Sun Rain Or… wondering “where is it that we are supposed to find enough motivation day after day for us to achieve the greatness that lies stifled within?”
Blogging Latino Literature and Technology
Valerie Russo founded a successful blog named Literanista. Five years after its inception, this Puerto Rican-Sicilian writer talks with Global Voices about her vision, achievements and future goals.
Brazil: Reading Habits and Cultural Roots
Journalist and blogger Marcos Bahé criticizes [pt] a statement made by Luciano Siqueira, a State Deputy of the Communist Party, who said that Brazilians don't read much because of oral traditions inherited from indigenous and african ancestors. Bahé ironically adds that he thought it was because books are expensive.
Jamaica: Divine Poetry
Diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp says of Kwame Dawes’ poem Shook Foil: “There is a divine symmetry of the human with music and the landscape– evidence of a ‘natural mystic’ transforming the mundane into the miraculous.”
Japan: Quakebook, a book born on Twitter
Journalist and blogger Jake Adelstein presents Quakebook [en], “a compilation of art, stories, and essays to raise money for Japan earthquake survivors” which started with a single tweet. The book, officially titled 2:46: Aftershocks: Stories from the Japan Earthquake, was co-written by popular writers and artists and 100% of revenue...
Jamaica: Poetry & Sensuality
For his 21 Days/21 Poems series, diaspora litblogger Geoffrey Philp posts an erotic poem by Jacqueline Johnson, saying: “What I love about this poem is the subdued sensuality.”
Puerto Rico: Digital Literature
Journalist, artist and blogger Carlos Antonio Otero has decided to expand his digital experimentation to Twitter under @cuentopatuiter, which he is using to publish a story in 10 parts. “As soon as it ends, and you have read the story, I will be waiting for your reactions,” he says in his...
Japan: “The Fear of Magnitude 0″
In the wake of the magnitude 9.0 earthquake which hit Japan, changing forever the lives of so many people, popular writer Keiya Mizuno decided to use words as a means to react to the event and reflect on the meaning of life. In a post titled The Fear of Magnitude 0 published on his blog, the author highlights the importance of memory and the value of remembering lessons learnt from such tragedies.
Trinidad & Tobago: Laughlin's “Small Husband”
almostisland posts links to the poetry of Nicholas Laughlin; Pleasure reviews his work, saying: “Laughlin's poetry is also a deeply Caribbean meditation, in its concern with the geography of self-actualisation and in its subtle echos of processes known so well by those who are scattered throughout the Caribbean diaspora.”
