Stories in the Radiobook Rwanda collection:

Resistance by Annick La Reine Shimwa and Jess Atieno

Contains: 'The Sykes are Woke', a short story by Annick La Reine Shimwa, 'Intaganzwa Ziri Maso', a translation of 'The Sykes are Woke' from English into Kinyarwanda, translated by Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, and mixed media collages by artist Jess Atieno.

Set in an alternate reality, 'The Sykes are Woke' is an intricate African-futurist origin story. Author Annick La Reine Shimwa tells the tale of Shama and how she came to be the respected leader of a young and highly skilled army. Jess Atieno’s collage works depict scenes of marches and demonstrations and place women’s bodies centre stage. Together, Shimwa and Atieno are the Resistance radiobook.

Relationships by Mutsinzi Eric and Nduta Kariuki

Contains: 'Waiting for Words', a short story by Mutsinzi Eric, 'Ayari Yarabuze Ivuga', a translation of Waiting for Words from English into Kinyarwanda, translated by Denyse Umuhuza, and portraits by artist Nduta Kariuki.

Mutsinzi Eric’s short story 'Waiting for Words' beautifully captures a moment in time and space, and explores the tension between a couple struggling to conceive and struggling to communicate. Nduta Kariuki’s arresting portraits stare out at you, feeling familiar and full of story. Together, Mutsinzi and Kariuki are the Relationships radiobook.

Modern Myths by Jimmy Tuyiringire and Souls

Contains: ‘Umuhigi W’inkuba’, a short story by Jimmy Tuyiringire, ‘The Thunder Hunter’, a translation of Umuhigi W’inkuba from Kinyarwanda into English, translated by Denyse Umuhuza, and murals by artist collective, Souls.

An exploration into Rwanda’s folklore, Jimmy Tuyiringire’s short story follows Karemera as he tries to teach his western friend Deon about his family and his nation’s myths and traditional figures as well as seeking to uncover his own role in the thunder hunter’s story. Souls’ murals decorate an alleyway in Rwanda’s capital and depict three larger than life characters. Together, Tuyiringire and Souls are the Modern Myths radiobook.

Reviews:

“Tuyiringire’s story, through its multimodal approach to narrating modern myth, is also making a strong case against the boundaries, rigidity and hierarchies of literary genres today.” Wasafiri, Issue 104 Human Rights Culture

“To read these books is a completely immersive experience and I believe they would be best appreciated by lovers of contemporary art, spoken word, music and history.” Catriona Fida, book blogger

“Audible narration adds a new dimension to the tales; rainfall, people laughing, bottles being opened, songs played on the radio, and the silence of a sleeping house make the stories come to life. RadioBook Rwanda have created an incredible paratext of aural, visual and written content that enriches the reader’s experience of these three stories.” Words of Colour

Shipping:

UK & Europe - Royal Mail 2nd Class

US - customers in the US can order Radiobook Rwanda from The Center for Fiction, Brooklyn NY.