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FKnabe

FKnabe

I read a wide range of books, non-fiction and fiction. I am particularly interested in international literature, with African authors being one of my current priorities. I also follow new authors and new books by established authors.

In non-fiction I specialize also on international issues - currently Africa & oil as well as other... more »
  • Ottawa, On, Canada
  • member since November 16 2007

Reviews

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  • The Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa
    • Rated 5 stars

    “A beautifully written personal story of discovery of the heart of Africa - in a remote region of northern Zambia. Josh Swiller's experiences and encounters, his learning by trial and error, and, most of all, his falling in love with the village and Africa, is the content of this unusual and highly readable memoir.”

    FKnabe wrote this review Saturday, March 22 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Das Kunstseidene Maedchen

    Das Kunstseidene Maedchen

    by Irmgard Keun
    • Rated 5 stars

    “A memorable book, first published in 1932 and banned in 1933. The story of a girl from modest means, attempting to make a life for herself in 1931/2 Berlin. The witty colloquial language of the heroine who is nonetheless a very astute and critical observer of her surroundings makes for entertaining as well as engaging reading”

    FKnabe wrote this review Sunday, March 16 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Telling Tales

    Telling Tales

    by Nadine Gordimer
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Short story collection: The stories convey diverse personal outlooks or describe real or imagined life experiences. We find John Updike next to Arthur Miller, Paul Theroux and Gabriel Garcia Marquez together with Amos Oz and Günter Grass... Several less known African authors, such as Njabulo Ndebele, share a spot with well known Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. In its totality, we have been offered a smorgasbord of excellent story-telling. It's a partial who's who of current world literature. The topics presented are as wide ranging as the authors' backgrounds and perspectives. Some are serious, some are funny or satirical. All excel in style and expression. This anthology is one to treasure, to pick up from time to time to read or revisit one of the authors. The ideal gift for yourself and others who enjoy a glimpse into the writing of some of the world's literary greats. Highly recommended”

    FKnabe wrote this review Tuesday, January 29 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Blue Shoes and Happiness
    • Rated 4 stars

    “Having read the whole series, this volume is probably a bit slower than some of the others. Still, the characterization of the main protagonists is well developed and needed as the series moves on. I would give it 4.5 stars. ”

    FKnabe wrote this review Friday, January 4 2008. ( reply | permalink )
  • Half of a Yellow Sun
    • Rated 5 stars

    “Most of us will have little knowledge of the Biafra war, except, possibly, for the media's haunting images of starving children. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie brings her people's world to us in this beautifully crafted, deeply moving, novel. Set in Nigeria during the 1960s, the narrative alternates between the optimistic early years of the decade and the civil war period at the end of it. With her extraordinary storytelling skill, Adichie draws the reader into an absorbing account of fictionalized realities that is impossible to put down - or to forget after the last page is read. With this, her second novel, she confirms her international reputation, established first with Purple Hibiscus, as one of the leading new voices of African literature.”

    FKnabe wrote this review Saturday, December 29 2007. ( reply | permalink )

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