Title: Daughters Who Become Lovers and Other Stories

By: WRITIVISM MINI ANTHOLOGY 2017

PAGES: 58

The 2017 Writivism anthology, ‘Daughters Who Become Lovers and Other Stories’ is one of those books that gives you an adrenalin rush. These gifted writers execute great quality writing in a collection of short stories. Our role as readers is to detect mysteries put forth by them and get more acquainted with the many little corners around the world.

Eboka C Peter kickstarts the journey and like he says, ‘you will most probably delight at his grasp of a word lumbar?’ Peter indulges in secrets of being content in various facets of life. In another short story, he aptly shares about a common fear budding writers grapple with. This is a story of becoming Nakobov.

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Jennifer E Chinenye then brings to light a story of rape, sexual violence and misuse of power through, ‘Daughters who become lovers’.  In another story, when brothers become sons, Jennifer articulates sibling rivalry through silent envy and careless freedom; as one brother defies all odds to pursue his film making dream and the other is left to live in his brother’s shadow.

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Charles King like his name suggests (no pun intended), dashes royalty metaphorically as he shares about the two pink stripes that are knocking at his door. Alas! It’s the most popular neighbours on his street; HIV/AIDS. He is invited to sit for a test that will change his life and is afraid of hearing the results just when life presents him many lemons to make much more lemonade.

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Karen Mukwasi takes us on the journey of black girls leaving the white lie in her short story. This encompasses the reality of light skin made up of Chinese tones and shades of yellow fever syndrome are becoming the order of the day. The lightening creams make crazy sales and shows the sad discovery on how quantity trumps quality.

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On a lighter note, Winnie Cherop is tipping us with the truth we have been waiting for. Coconuts and mangoes are the fleshiest of fleshy fruits. The truth is that mangoes are sweeter and more popular. The coconuts on the other hand are plain heads, usually nerds that receive less attention in life until reality checks hit.

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The beauty of life is growing consistently. Vivian Ogbonna gives the juicy details in her short story “Looking for the Badge of Honour”. She invites us to explore Accra in Ghana in five days as a budding relative attending a writing workshop.

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Have you ever been love struck? Yvette Tetteh answers this question in an engaging short story by giving a remarkable guide to losing love. I must warn you she will leave all your heart strings taut with tension as you read about the man that runs away with her heart.

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My thoughts:

Every African millennial should get his/her hands on this anthology. It’s filled with humour and it’s a compilation of stories written for Africans by Africans.

The connection in our diversity is true beauty and this is what the Writivism anthology is able to put together!

Click to download Daughters become lovers

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Changing the narrative. Telling my African story.