Novuyo Rosa Tshuma provides deeper context to her critically acclaimed novel, House of Stone – a sophisticated, philosophical and darkly humorous (re)telling of Zimbabwe’s history. We explore writing for a specific audience, censorship in Zimbabwean publishing landscape, weaponisation of history, the importance of documenting Gukurahundi massacre in fiction, understanding the ‘Born Free’ generation and so much more.
Books mentioned in this episode (widely available for purchase online and your local bookshops).
House of Hunger – Dambuzo Marechera
These Bones Will Rise Again – Panashe Chigumadzi
Stone Virgins – Yvonne Vera
My Sister The Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
Nervous Conditions – Tsitsi Dagaremba
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers – Yiyun Li
A Strangers Pose – Emmanuel Iduma
Songs referenced this episode (listen to the playlist on Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube):
Zimbabwe – Bob Marley
Danger Zone – Thomas Mapfumo
Rhodesians Never Die – David Scobie
What’s Love Got To Do With It – Tina Turner
Aboki – Ice Prince
Coffin For Head of State – Fela Kuti
Umoya Wami – Lovemore Majaivana
Keep It Moving – Empire Cast
Cries of the Motherland - Caiiro
Reviews:
Books & Rhymes’ review on Bookstagram
Helon Habila’s review in The Guardian Newspaper
Yiyun Li’s recommendation in Vanity Fair magazine
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