Just Published! Nouvelles du Cameroun

Just Published! Nouvelles du Cameroun by Patrice Nganang, Peter Vakunta, Gertrude Obinong et al. Paris. Magellan & Cie, 2011/ 152pages/ ISBN 978-2-35074-193-2/ Paperback/EUR 11, 40.  

Cameroon has earned the epithet,  'Africa in miniature’ on account of its diverse landscapes, histories, peoples, languages and cultures. There is no gainsaying the fact that Cameroon is a microcosm of the African continent. Its socio-cultural plurality is reflected in the country’s rich literature produced by the old and not so old.  Nouvelles du Cameroun reflects this diversity in several respects.

The book is a compendium of six short stories that reflect the reality of living on both sides of the Mungo River.  Two of the stories, Un mariage de convenance by Peter Vakunta, and Le fugitif by Dipita Kwa have been translated from English to French. These Anglophone authors tell the tales of English-speaking Cameroonians grappling with the grim reality of living in a country where the English language has been relegated to the periphery. The travail of English language speakers striving to gain recognition in a country where being Anglophone is anathema is captured in Vakunta’s Un mariage de convenance.  The other stories tell their own tales in French, and hybrid lingos like Camfranglais, and pidginized French. Les rêveries du bûcheron solitaire by Patrice Nganang, Le trajet by Gertrude Obinong, La tragédie du chef by Francois Nkémé, and Ave Mariana by Edouard Elvis Bvouma reflect the linguistic plurality that typifies Cameroonian daily discourse.

Nouvelles du Cameroun is a literary treasure trove. The authors have intentionally avoided chronology in the order of presentation of the stories.  Many readers will want to turn first to one story, the title of which captures their fancy the most.  Whether you read the stories in the order in which they are presented or dart about as your fancy dictates, you will enjoy the abundance of richness and entertainment the book contains.  We hope that this invaluable book will be placed where every member of the family can enjoy its contents, where guests can turn to it with avid pleasure.

The didactic value of this collection of short stories resides in its suitability to readers of all age groups. The language is lucid, and free of verbal sophistry.  Pre-college pupils would find the stories fascinating. College and university students with an interest in Cameroonian literature, culture, history, languages, and oral traditions would find this collection priceless. The uniqueness of the volume lies in its universal appeal.

Comments

[Walani]

No info on where to buy...

[ekoto]

http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASIN/2350741931/ruedeslivr-21

[Peter Vakunta]

Ekoto,
Thanks for responding to Walani's request.
Dr. Vakunta

[Cheap Supra Shoes]

Her dream is to become a great dance.

[Giles Kisife]

I am interested in an English copy of this book. How can I get one?. We are organiszing a cultural evening in Gothenburg Sweden and intend to exhibit books from Cameroon. This one could be a good book to have there as well. I still need a copy though.

[PETER VAKUNTA]

Giles,
I am not sure we have the English translation yet but it's in the works. This book just came out. If you are interested in obtaining the French version, your best bet would be to visit www.amazon.fr

Best regards
Dr. Vakunta
http://www.vakunta.blogspot.com