C. L. Innes

Twenty short stories are presented: six from West Africa, five from East Africa, three from northern Africa, and seven from southern Africa. Most I considered quite good, some I liked very much, and a few I barely understood at all. In my opinion, the most profound theme was the juxtaposition of traditions with the modern way of life, best exemplified in the Bessie Head story, "Snapshots of a Wedding." The people, not having any other way and newly inundated with Westernized modern life, continue with traditions and ceremonies that mean less and less in the modern world.… (more)