Harare Review of Books

192 pages.

First published in 2008.

Finished reading on 26 Dec 2020.

Genre: Fiction — Magical realism (maybe?)

By the beaches of Luanda, the Soviets are building a grand mausoleum in honour of the Comrade President. Granmas are whispering: houses, they say, will be dexploded, and everyone will have to leave. With the help of his friends Charlita and Pi (whom everyone calls 3.14), and with assistance from Dr. Rafael KnockKnock, the Comrade Gas Jockey, the amorous Gudafterov, crazy Sea Foam, and a ghost, our young hero must decide exactly how much trouble he’s willing to face to keep his Granma safe in Bishop’s Beach.

Energetic and colourful, impish and playful, Granma Nineteen and the Soviet’s Secret is a charming coming-of-age story from the next rising star in African literature.

This was a very charming read! The magical realism reminded me of José Eduardo Agualusa’s A General Theory of Oblivion. (Also, I think there’s a ghost in this story.) Incredibly well translated, I think, because there’s such a lyricism and flow to the story.

Some screenshots:

The characters were truly wonderful and memorable. The author captured the conceit and precociousness of the children very well, and the setting was atmospheric.

So worth your time!

Rated: 9/10