When it comes to capturing the dislocation, grief, and surreal humour of postcolonial life, few voices ring louder or clearer than that of NoViolet Bulawayo. Born Elizabeth Zandile Tshele in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo writes under a name stitched from memory and mourning: ‘NoViolet’ meaning ‘with Violet’ – a tribute to her...
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Colm Tóibín described Ukrainian-Brazilian author Clarice Lispector as having “an ability to write as though no one had ever written before”. With her genre-defying writing style, Lispector is one of the 20th century’s most interesting and underrated novelists. Drawing on the rapidly changing world around her, her novels reflect the...
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Before Elena Ferrante, there was Margarita Liberaki. The Greek author’s style is reminiscent of Ferrante’s dreamy Italian prose, just around 50 years beforehand. With her focus on Greek culture and life, Liberaki brings to life the Greek islands of the early 20th century and paints portraits of their inhabitants. With...
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The Emerald Isle has long been producing some of the best actors and filmmakers the film industry has ever seen. However, in recent years, Ireland’s role in the cultural zeitgeist has only gotten bigger, better and more unapologetically unique. From heart-throbs to history makers, Irish film stars continue to dominate...
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In my opinion, the most recent Nobel Prize in Literature was a long time coming. After endless critical acclaim and countless awards, Kang finally received the highest award that literature has to offer. From her cult classic The Vegetarian, to more recent endeavours such as Greek Lessons, Kang explores real...
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If you walk into any bookshop across the country, I can guarantee that you will find one of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novels front and centre. Whether on recommendation from the workers or on a table of modern must-reads, Adichie’s work is beloved by any and every bibliophile. From her beautiful...
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The recent surge in popularity of Japanese authors has given us Brits access to many new and legendary authors alike. According to the Guardian, 43% of the top 40 translated fiction titles for 2024 were from Japanese authors. From new bestsellers like Asako Yuzuki’s ‘Butter’ to old classics from the...
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When The New York Times released their top 100 books of the 21st century, it was no shock to me that Italian author Elena Ferrante topped that list. Her novel ‘My Brilliant Friend’, the first in her Neopolitan series, managed to beat out authors such as Stephen King or Hilary...
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No book has ever stuck with me like Uruguayan author Fernanda Trías’ debut novel The Rooftop (La Azotea). Claustrophobic and concise, the 112 pages of this novella slowly trap not just our protagonists within the walls of their decaying apartment, but the reader as well. Trías is an expert in...
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When it comes to eye-catching, nothing is more so than Gerardo Sámano Córdova’s debut novel Monstrilio. From the unique title, to the immediately shocking blurb, Córdova lures his readers into thinking that they are in for a stereotypical horror novel. Yet, what lies within the pages of this deceptive debut...
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