The Puku Children’s Literature Foundation is a review site that aims to find out what Southern African readers think of the children’s books that are produced and sold locally. As authors and their stories become increasingly more popular in Africa, this article and interview by BooksLIVE with Jennifer Malec, editor of the Johannesburg Review of Books, is more relevant than ever, but how does it affect those who read children’s books?
By Carla Lever
Originally published in the Sunday World: 28 January, 2018; Daily Dispatch: 29 January, 2018; Herald: 1 February, 2018. (Nal’ibali Column 3: Term 1).
Photo: Jennifer Malec, editor of the Johannesburg Review of BooksThe Johannesburg Review of Books was introduced to local (and international!) bibliophiles in May 2017. Carla Lever recently conducted an interview with editor, Jennifer Malec, discussing the impact of an African critical voice, why they don’t italicise South African languages in their stories, and how we can get more South Africans to start reading for pleasure:
What is The Johnnesburg Review of Books and how did it come about?
JRB is an independent monthly literary review based in Johannesburg. We publish reviews, essays, poetry, photographs and short fiction from South Africa, Africa and beyond. You can subscribe for free at http://bit.ly/thejrbsubscribe.
There are many hugely respected reviews of books globally – the Paris or New York reviews spring to mind – but this is the first African city to claim a space. What kind of impact does the presence of an African critical voice have?
When a new ‘big’ international book is published, we know very quickly what the ‘big’ literary centres of the world think of it. But there is no city-based literary review in Africa, so we don’t hear the opinions of Lagos, Cairo, Kinshasa and so on. We think it’s important that the world becomes more aware of what readers in Africa are thinking.
What role do you see The JRB playing in global and African cultural debates?
In a global context we like to think we are writing back to centres of power as well as demonstrating the value of African voices.
You have an interesting editorial policy about not italicising South African languages in stories. Can you tell us a little about the thinking behind that?
In South Africa most people understand two if not three or four languages, so the question becomes, to whom are these words ‘foreign’? In South Africa, non-English words are not adding ‘flavour’, they are simply a demonstration of how we speak.
We want to give our writers and readers the opportunity to inhabit the story. And our philosophy is, if you don’t understand something, you can always ask. We’re readily available on Facebook and Twitter, and on our website comment section.
What has reader response been like?
Very positive! It’s great to see…
If you have something you’d like to say in response to this article, please contact:
Puku’s Managing Editor: managingeditor
Or alternatively send a message through on the Puku FB Page.
