"Emotional Landscape" | Namwali Serpell

Namwali Serpell takes us on a musical journey through the 20 year period of writing her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Old Drift. We use the music of Bjork, Tracy Chapman, PJ Harvey, and Larry Maluma to discuss the problematic nature of literary prizes, Namwali's unprecedented response to winning the 2015 Caine Prize for African Writing, the strangeness of reality in her fictional writing, and the etymology the term 'muzungu'. We also unpack the connection between 'The Old Drift' and novels like Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and Kintu by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience in London.

Listen to Namwali Serpell's curated playlist to her debut novel, The Old Drift for Books & Rhymes: The Podcast on Spotify, Deezer, and YouTube.

Titles referenced in the discussion:

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell’s Africa39: New Writing from Africa South of the Sahara- Edited by Ellah WakatamaNew Daughters of Africa - Edited by Margaret BusbyKintu - Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Namwali Serpell's Bibliography:

The Old DriftSeeven Modes of Uncertainty'Muzungu', The Best American Short Stories 2009, edited by Alice Sebold'The Sack', Published in Africa 39: New Writing from Africa South of the Sahara, edited by Ellah Wakatama'Between The Living and the Dead', published in New daughters of Africa, edited by Margaret Busby.

Songs referenced in the discussion:

Homogenic - Bjork Joga - BjorkChakolwa (Drunkard) - Larry MalumaTeclo - PJ Harvey.Crossroads - Tracy Chapman.

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