Great African Reads discussion

Uganda is coming up as our second to last read - and as the last country with a smaller selection of books, let's get the nominations started!
We are reading our selection for Uganda in Sept/Oct, and will aim for voting in early August to give everyone time to find a copy of the book (or e-book, if available) before the group read.

I would like to recommend Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.

Makumbi’s debut novel is a sprawling family chronicle that explores Uganda’s national identity through a brilliant interlacing of history, politics, and myth. A masterpiece of cultural memory, Kintu is elegantly poised on the crossroads of tradition and modernity. (Publishers Weekly)

Longlisted for the 2014 Etisalat Prize for Debut African Fiction

I'd like to nominate Waiting: A Novel of Uganda's Hidden War by Goretti Kyomuhendo

I added a bunch more books to the bookshelf for Uganda.

Diane wrote: "I added a bunch more books to the bookshelf for Uganda."

Thanks Diane! The Uganda shelf can be accessed here

Beverly wrote: "I would like to recommend Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.

Makumbi’s debut novel is a sprawling family chronicle that explores Uganda’s national identity throu..."

I second this one, I just read anohter article about it the other day. So many of the books I've read about Uganda are written by people either not from there or who have moved away. Kintu sounds like exactly the kind of story I really want, steeped in the local folklore and history, not westernized Africa.

I'll nominate a (short) classic: Song of Lawino & Song of Ocol by Okot p'Bitek - it comes in different editions: Some containing only "Song of Lawino" (Kindle Ed. also available).

I third Kintu. It looks fabulous and, while I almost never support or vote for a book of this length for a group read because participation tends to decline with length, I suspect this group would dig in, complete and have a fab discussion over it.

I'll set up voting for beginning of August - any more nominations? Now is the time :)

I nominate Tropical Fish: Tales from Entebbe by Doreen Baingana.

Anetq wrote: "I'll nominate a (short) classic: Song of Lawino & Song of Ocol by Okot p'Bitek - it comes in different editions: Some containing only "Song of Lawino" (Kindle Ed. also..."

I second Anetq's choice. Okot was a great writer and anthropologists. He didi much to document African culture through his preservation of Acoli heritage.

Nominations are now closed. Vote for your choice here!