United States
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Walking on Cowrie Shells: Stories
A "boisterous and high-spirited debut" (Kirkus starred review)"that enthralls the reader through their every twist and turn" (Publishers Weekly starred review), named one of the Most Anticipated Books for Brittle Paper, The Millions, and The Rumpus, penned by a finalist for the AKO Caine Prize
In her powerful, genre-bending debut story collection, Nana Nkweti's virtuosity is on full display as she mixes deft realism with clever inversions of genre. In the Caine Prize finalist story "It Takes a Village, Some Say," Nkweti skewers racial prejudice and the practice of international adoption, delivering a sly tale about a teenage girl who leverages her adoptive parents to fast-track her fortunes. In "The Devil Is a Liar," a pregnant pastor's wife struggles with the collision of western Christianity and her mother's traditional Cameroonian belief system as she worries about her unborn child.
In other stories, Nkweti vaults past realism, upending genre expectations in a satirical romp about a jaded PR professional trying to spin a zombie outbreak in West Africa, and in a mermaid tale about a Mami Wata who forgoes her power by remaining faithful to a fisherman she loves. In between these two ends of the spectrum there's everything from an aspiring graphic novelist at a comic con to a murder investigation driven by statistics to a story organized by the changing hairstyles of the main character.
Pulling from mystery, horror, realism, myth, and graphic novels, Nkweti showcases the complexity and vibrance of characters whose lives span Cameroonian and American cultures. A dazzling, inventive debut, Walking on Cowrie Shells announces the arrival of a superlative new voice.
In her powerful, genre-bending debut story collection, Nana Nkweti's virtuosity is on full display as she mixes deft realism with clever inversions of genre. In the Caine Prize finalist story "It Takes a Village, Some Say," Nkweti skewers racial prejudice and the practice of international adoption, delivering a sly tale about a teenage girl who leverages her adoptive parents to fast-track her fortunes. In "The Devil Is a Liar," a pregnant pastor's wife struggles with the collision of western Christianity and her mother's traditional Cameroonian belief system as she worries about her unborn child.
In other stories, Nkweti vaults past realism, upending genre expectations in a satirical romp about a jaded PR professional trying to spin a zombie outbreak in West Africa, and in a mermaid tale about a Mami Wata who forgoes her power by remaining faithful to a fisherman she loves. In between these two ends of the spectrum there's everything from an aspiring graphic novelist at a comic con to a murder investigation driven by statistics to a story organized by the changing hairstyles of the main character.
Pulling from mystery, horror, realism, myth, and graphic novels, Nkweti showcases the complexity and vibrance of characters whose lives span Cameroonian and American cultures. A dazzling, inventive debut, Walking on Cowrie Shells announces the arrival of a superlative new voice.
Editorial Reviews
"Raucous and thoroughly impressive. . . . Nkweti's utterly original stories range from laugh-out-loud funny to heartbreaking, and are often both. . . . Sensitivity, nuance and keen attention to history shine through on every page of the collection. . . . These are stories to get lost in again and again."―The New York Times Book Review
"A linguistic pole vaulter, [Nana] Nkweti bends language like a master. . . . Walking On Cowrie Shells is a terrific read, each story different and varied from the one before. Nkweti has proven herself a bright new star."―NPR.org
"[Walking on Cowrie Shells] revels in variety―of character, style, and even genre. . . . Lively and fast-paced, funny and tragic, these stories refuse a singular African experience in favor of a vivid plurality."―The New Yorker, Briefly Noted
"What unites all these stories is the strength of Nkweti's writing; it crackles with energy and verve."―BuzzFeed
"Audacious and masterful. . . . Anyone who appreciates authentic and original fiction will find something to love here. And that's a promise."―Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
"It takes some verve to go from zombies and mermaids to Comic-Con to the suburbs of New Jersey and Cameroon and back again in a single collection, and Nkweti does it in her very first, which is vibrant and polyphonic. . . . [Her prose is] acrobatic and delightful."―Lit Hub
"A vivacious collection with sentences that sizzle on the page. . . . Nkweti's book is sharp and gorgeous."―Women's Review of Books
"Explosive prose and imaginative plots characterize this debut collection. . . . Nkweti's stories offer a wonderfully immersive experience."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Beautiful and immersive. . . . Whether Nkweti is writing about water goddesses, zombies, or aspiring graphic novelists, she reveals and celebrates the rich inner lives of those who do not fit neatly into social and cultural categories. . . . Nkweti's sentences soar, enthralling the reader through their every twist and turn, and often ending with a wry punch. . . . This is a groundbreaking and vital work."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Dazzling stories that are as diverse as they are vibrant. . . . Nkweti displays her virtuosity and elasticity through her prose. With the ease of a master, she shifts between points of view, between American and African slang, and between the straightforward and the avant-garde. Each story offers not only a different subject but also a different approach, a new plan of narrative attack to conquer each emotional landscape. The result is an intense, sweeping and altogether stunning reading experience."―Bookpage, starred rev...
"A linguistic pole vaulter, [Nana] Nkweti bends language like a master. . . . Walking On Cowrie Shells is a terrific read, each story different and varied from the one before. Nkweti has proven herself a bright new star."―NPR.org
"[Walking on Cowrie Shells] revels in variety―of character, style, and even genre. . . . Lively and fast-paced, funny and tragic, these stories refuse a singular African experience in favor of a vivid plurality."―The New Yorker, Briefly Noted
"What unites all these stories is the strength of Nkweti's writing; it crackles with energy and verve."―BuzzFeed
"Audacious and masterful. . . . Anyone who appreciates authentic and original fiction will find something to love here. And that's a promise."―Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
"It takes some verve to go from zombies and mermaids to Comic-Con to the suburbs of New Jersey and Cameroon and back again in a single collection, and Nkweti does it in her very first, which is vibrant and polyphonic. . . . [Her prose is] acrobatic and delightful."―Lit Hub
"A vivacious collection with sentences that sizzle on the page. . . . Nkweti's book is sharp and gorgeous."―Women's Review of Books
"Explosive prose and imaginative plots characterize this debut collection. . . . Nkweti's stories offer a wonderfully immersive experience."―Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"Beautiful and immersive. . . . Whether Nkweti is writing about water goddesses, zombies, or aspiring graphic novelists, she reveals and celebrates the rich inner lives of those who do not fit neatly into social and cultural categories. . . . Nkweti's sentences soar, enthralling the reader through their every twist and turn, and often ending with a wry punch. . . . This is a groundbreaking and vital work."―Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Dazzling stories that are as diverse as they are vibrant. . . . Nkweti displays her virtuosity and elasticity through her prose. With the ease of a master, she shifts between points of view, between American and African slang, and between the straightforward and the avant-garde. Each story offers not only a different subject but also a different approach, a new plan of narrative attack to conquer each emotional landscape. The result is an intense, sweeping and altogether stunning reading experience."―Bookpage, starred rev...
Readers Top Reviews
BoseNgohcheC. K. Bus
This book is such a perfect summer reading collection. It reminded me of my love of short stories that I had somehow forgotten. So much story happens in just a few pages- Ms. Nkweti is a Master creator of worlds.
Jack
In Walking on Cowrie Shells, Nana Nkweti brings together African, Black American and mainstream American cultures together in an entertaining way. This is an exciting read – this is a fascinating binge reading book!
Nejem Raheem
Lovely short stories with gallows humor. Bright, sometimes magical.
Khari D. Russell
Nana Nkweti braids the African diaspora experience (Black American and African) Into timeless tales that deal with topics such as alienation, assimilation et al, wonderfully. The stories jump out at you and resonate in your souls. This book will stand the test of time.
Lisa K
As a first generation American born of African parents, the many stories in this collection resonated profoundly with me and brought back many memories. Nana Nkweti’s use of Pidgin English, vivid imagery and masterful way with words left me at times speechless, reflective and yes even exhilarated. I can’t tell you how many nights I plopped down on my couch after preparing egusi or groundnut stew to read a story before getting the kids ready for bed. I thoroughly enjoyed this first offering by Nana Nkweti and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next! Truly a must-read !
