To See the Mountain and other short stories
(Jacana, R150)
To See the Mountain and Other Short Stories is a compilation of Caine Prize 2011 Shortlisted Stories and the Caine Prize African Writers’ Workshop Stories 2011.
The Caine Prize for African Writing, an annual literary award, recognises talents from all corners of the African continent and the globe. First presented in 2000 to Sudanese author Leila Aboulela for her story, The Museum, the award seeks to find the best original short story, published in English, by an African writer, whether situated in Africa or abroad.
With the winning author receiving a cash reward of £10 000, and travel awards for each of the shortlisted candidates, it is no wonder the contest attracted entries from 20 African countries in its first year. Short stories are peculiar, in the sense that, with a novel, you can gauge the content as you read, with the knowledge that the story is going to take you on a journey of, hopefully, entertainment, enlightenment and/or exhilaration. With a short story, you seldom know what to expect, and not enough of the story is given away from the go for you to know if you are going to like it or not. Reading a book full of Caine Prize shortlisted and workshop stories, however, is a different matter because, whatever the content, you expect, not in vain, to be impressed.
One thing that the authors are able to do well is to introduce you, the reader, to the stories in skilful and interesting ways.
Though you don’t feel uncomfortable being thrown into the lives of complete strangers, when many of the stories come to an end, you feel an ephemeral emptiness inside that is difficult to explain. Such is the plight of committing to a short story. Petty snags aside, the quality of writing is just that good.
An aspect you will appreciate is the vastness of creativity found in the book. It is truly a refreshing experience, your imagination being tugged from one end to another with each story. Reading this book makes you want to embrace the art of short storytelling, also filling you with pride when remembering the authors are African.
The book will be of value to up-and-coming writers who are looking to polish their skills. The writing styles, subject matters and figures of speech will be, to aspiring authors, what money is to a miser.
One can only sit back with a cup of tea and peruse.