tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post7390204525658638595..comments2024-03-29T04:12:48.987+08:00Comments on The Reading Life: The Caine Prize 2011 Short List-Story ThreeMel uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-1993991229118643562011-07-01T21:02:17.216+08:002011-07-01T21:02:17.216+08:00RitchiesinUganda-first thanks for your great very ...RitchiesinUganda-first thanks for your great very thought filled comment-I learned the term "Africa Poverty Porn" from other bloggers, mostly from Africa-I find it a useful expression and will continue to explore the general concept-I meant no insult and see no grounds for the reaction but if I offended it was not intended and if you realize in my prior posts I have reacted to the term I think your mind will be at ease-as for assuming the language was Swahili-OK just a mistake-I have seen the use of Scottish terms in the style you mentioned just like it is used in modern Filipino short stories (I am in Manila)-I think it is not done because there is no English equivalent but to try to add flavor to the story-I do not care for the practice (especially when the author inserts a glossery-of course the story is about more than just poverty but it is in part about that for sure-all the stories have an additional subject-I think the subject matter of the story-child soldiers is very well known in th western media-as to the use of the word "utlated" I am not aware of a place on the net to check would know that term and who would not but I am quite comfortable sticking with my original claims-I do not see it as a huge issue-as to the ending with the character having hope for the future through education-I saw this as a bitter ending knowing the dreams will not happen-as if all they can think to be is a doctor-almost like a painful joke on the children-<br /><br />I do not find the notion of "African Poverty Porn" insulting-I think the consideration of these issues just an extension of the matters considered in Edward Said's Orientalism-<br /><br />final words -thanks so much for your very well thought out comments and your visitMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-34201751362765689282011-07-01T20:41:17.151+08:002011-07-01T20:41:17.151+08:00I have to disagree with you, I'm afraid. Beatr...I have to disagree with you, I'm afraid. Beatrice Lamwaka's story is not about poverty (as in 'African Poverty Porn', a rather insulting expression to use); it is about the psychological impact of abduction both on the victim and on the family. The awkwardness with which which the family address the main character has to do with the traumatic effect of what happened to their daughter and their difficulties in alluding and responding to it. By the way, 'ululated' is a common enough word in African/English and, indeed, for 'college graduates' in Britain. There is no other word which could be used for the distinctive sound which the writer is describing. The use of local language is appropriate where there is no direct equivalent in English - it is common in Scots writing, for example. In this case, the words are in Acholi - that is explained within the text of the story. I am not sure why you assume they are in Swahili, which is not commonly spoken in Uganda. I don't think the fact that the subject is known from the western media should mean that it should not form the subject of a short story. People in the west may know the factual details of what happened. This story is about the human impact. Some telling details include the reaction of the neighbours, for example. In the end, it is education, aspiration and hope which offer a future for the main character - a pretty good way to conclude.Elisabeth Ritchiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12540685652196149516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-18116013007712508952011-06-24T02:44:33.769+08:002011-06-24T02:44:33.769+08:00I think you just sold me on To See The Mountain. ...I think you just sold me on To See The Mountain. Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews on these! It's such a fun project. I'm going to try to read these and make my prediction as well.Short Story Slorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09139511411002760755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-36514372080333562332011-06-23T13:14:06.098+08:002011-06-23T13:14:06.098+08:00Very interesting new project! To See the Mountain ...Very interesting new project! <i>To See the Mountain</i> would be an excellent addition to libraries, as well as to my own book collection.Sukohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11893742747135555499noreply@blogger.com