The Return of the Water Spirit (African Writers Series)
16 journalers for this copy...
An excerpt from the back of the book:
Buildings in the city of Luanda baffle engineers as they fall down one by one. One man comes to believe that the explanation lies in a built-over lagoon, once home to a water spirit that has returned to reclaim the land.
I have to admit that I ordered this book only because its author is from Angola and I'm trying to read books by authors from different countries. However, the description does sound interesting, so I'm looking forward to it.
It was interesting to contrast the little cultural differences from mine, like the fact that the main character seldom showed up at the office more than once a week, with those things that are similar across cultures like the human foibles and addiction to computer games.The part that the water spirit played in the story was really almost an excuse for the rest of the story - I didn't feel that it centered around the water spirit, and I would have enjoyed a longer novel with a little more around that part.
Overall, this slim novel was a pretty quick read but was enjoyable.
I'm going to offer this book as a bookring, linked with another book: The Last Will & Testament of Senhor da Silva Araujo by Germano Almeida. Authors are from Angola and Cape Verde.
If you want to read just one, that's ok - sign up for the linked ring, read whichever you want, and send them on to the next person.
Bookring Guidelines:
- Journal the books as soon as you get them. Contact the next person in the list for their mailing address.
- Please try to read within a month so the ring keeps moving. I know there are two of them, but they're not long.
- When done, take a minute to journal your impressions and note that you're sending them on. I love reading various people's feelings on the books - we're bound to have different viewpoints!
- Yes, sometimes “life happens”. If you find yourself running behind or need to be skipped, etc., please PM me letting me know what’s up and we can work it out.
- Please send these books on together - in the same package.
Participants (username /location/shipping):
- Hobbit /US/international (originator)
- Lunatum /Finland/Finland or Europe
- Katyan /Finland/Europe
- Piggeldy /Germany/Europe
- Sheepseeker /Germany/international
- Abecedarian /US
- Hendertuckian / US
- ffortsa /US
- bartonz /US
- Hobbit /US (back to originator)
Note: Books have returned home.
I went to the Post Office this morning, and these books are on their way to Lunatum.
Books arrived last week. I'm surprised that it didn't take more time to travel from USA to Finland. I have three ringbooks before these so it may take a while before I have time to read these, but I'll try to read these within a month.
I think that the plot was somehow empty. Maybe that is because of the language, I haven't read many books in English. I didn't really like this book.
Books are on their way to Katyan.
This little book arrived here with its travelling friend! Thank you very much!
Oh, I really liked this little book. It was well written and the story was lovely. Somehow I also felt that I had a real treasure in my hands while reading this book; it was wonderfull to read a book from an author so far away. I think this must have been the first Angolian book that I've ever read in my life! I'm so happy that through bookcrossing I've met so many wonderfull books, including this one! Thank you so much for sharing it, hobbit! In this book there was also many brilliant thoughts that made me laugh or think more about our lives. This is one of my favourite ones (maybe because I'm spending all my days with computer...:)):
"But hang on, a person who's so intelligent, who spends the whole day working with that complicated machine they call a computer, such a person really deserves the tittle doctor. I have a lot of respect for wisdom."
Journal Entry 10 by katyan at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Monday, May 15, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (5/15/2006 UTC) at BookRing in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Piggeldy this morning!
Sent to Piggeldy this morning!
The books arrived here safely, and I already started reading this one :-)
Edit, June 5th: A very promising beginning and a very interesting ending - but the pages in between are a bit boring. Well, if it wasn't for the Challenge, I guess I'd have stopped reading somewhere in the middle and so would have missed the nice ending.
Edit, June 5th: A very promising beginning and a very interesting ending - but the pages in between are a bit boring. Well, if it wasn't for the Challenge, I guess I'd have stopped reading somewhere in the middle and so would have missed the nice ending.
Part 1 of this two-part ring has already arrived here - the other one will follow as soon as Piggeldy is done with it. Thanks for sending!
I absolutly enjoyed reading this book from Angola. I'm not an expert on Angolan history but I did some research on their recent history and Pepetela seems to have spun in quite a part of it into his story.
Thanks for sharing, hobbit! I'll now keep the book for awhile until I get the Cap Verdean book, so they can travel on together afterwards...
Thanks for sharing, hobbit! I'll now keep the book for awhile until I get the Cap Verdean book, so they can travel on together afterwards...
Came yesterday as part of a bookring.
I didn't cre much for this book either. The plot was seriously lacking, but I can see where my lack of knowledge of Angola's history might hinder my understanding of the book. Will PM J-Emily to send on its way..
Part of Olympic Challenge (Angola) - thanks Abecedarian quick read - ***plot spoiler *** I was suprize at how he was threatened by his wife's status and his unstatus. He didn't like being in her shadow so he conquered the ancient world (in computer game).
Mailing to ffortsa as part of bookring.
Mailing to ffortsa as part of bookring.
Journal Entry 17 by hendertuckian at -- By Post Or By Hand/ In Person, RABCK, Bookring/Ray in Henderson, Nevada USA on Monday, October 30, 2006
RELEASE NOTES:
Journal Entry 18 by hendertuckian at -- By Post Or By Hand/ In Person, RABCK, Bookring/Ray in Henderson, Nevada USA on Monday, October 30, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/30/2006 UTC) at -- By Post Or By Hand/ In Person, RABCK, Bookring/Ray in Henderson, Nevada USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Received from Hendertuckian in support of the Olympic Challenge, just in time for my weekend away.
edited on 12/03/06: This fairy tale of the damage left by colonialism and social disruption defintely held my interest. I wish I knew a little more about African history in general, and Angolan history in particular, because I'm sure that many of the characters and events have great resonance in that history. The characters are richer than in the usual fairy tale, people very close to our own experience, and that allowed me to feel very close to the action of the story.
edited on 12/17/06: oops - meant to send this out last week but the holiday season got a little crazy. On its way to bartonz in tomorrow's mail.
edited on 12/03/06: This fairy tale of the damage left by colonialism and social disruption defintely held my interest. I wish I knew a little more about African history in general, and Angolan history in particular, because I'm sure that many of the characters and events have great resonance in that history. The characters are richer than in the usual fairy tale, people very close to our own experience, and that allowed me to feel very close to the action of the story.
edited on 12/17/06: oops - meant to send this out last week but the holiday season got a little crazy. On its way to bartonz in tomorrow's mail.
I've got it! I have another book ring book to read first and then I'll read and send it back home to Hobbit.
I've read it and it's on its way home to Hobbit! Thanks so much for the book ring! This was such a fun book that I think I will remember it fondly for years.
Both the books in this ring have returned safely home.
I'm sending some other books from various countries to soffitta1 who's also working on the Olympic Challenge. I'm including this one as a surprise because I found it on my bookshelf after I offered the rest on the forum.
This book is well-travelled with very mixed reviews. I'll be glad to see it continue its journeys to visit more people who enjoy international reading, and I'll be interested to see what happens to it and what future readers think.
Just for interest, its travelling companions at the moment are:
Homo Novus
Global Restructuring and Peripheral States: The Carrot and the Stick in Mauritania
Kisses in the Nederends
Ossobo Essays on the Literature of Sao Tome & Principe
This book is well-travelled with very mixed reviews. I'll be glad to see it continue its journeys to visit more people who enjoy international reading, and I'll be interested to see what happens to it and what future readers think.
Just for interest, its travelling companions at the moment are:
Homo Novus
Global Restructuring and Peripheral States: The Carrot and the Stick in Mauritania
Kisses in the Nederends
Ossobo Essays on the Literature of Sao Tome & Principe
Thanks for the stack of books, they were waiting for me when I arrived back to work.
I enjoyed reading this short book, I am currently living in Portugal and so am interested in reading Portuguese-speaking authors. This is a good look at post-colonial Angola and its new politics, or is that old politics. The new order seems as bad as the old one, though, it seems as if no one is incorruptible.
Why are the buildings falling down, what is Luanda Syndrome, read the book to find out ;)
Going to pass this on soon.
I enjoyed reading this short book, I am currently living in Portugal and so am interested in reading Portuguese-speaking authors. This is a good look at post-colonial Angola and its new politics, or is that old politics. The new order seems as bad as the old one, though, it seems as if no one is incorruptible.
Why are the buildings falling down, what is Luanda Syndrome, read the book to find out ;)
Going to pass this on soon.
Journal Entry 25 by soffitta1 at Soffitta's Africa bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, July 8, 2010
Released 13 yrs ago (7/10/2010 UTC) at Soffitta's Africa bookbox, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
In the Africa Bookbox.
taken from soffitta1s bookbox
I really enjoyed this read, despite the very annoying couple - i'mpretry sure we were meant to dislike them. The water spirit sections were my favourites. I'm not sure what i'm going to do with this book yet, maybe a book ray, rabck or pop it into a bookbox, either way i'll probably be waiting till after xmas as money's tight at the moment. Thanks for sharing x
Journal Entry 28 by katrinat at The Purple Dog, Eld Lane in Colchester, Essex United Kingdom on Saturday, March 3, 2012
Released 12 yrs ago (3/3/2012 UTC) at The Purple Dog, Eld Lane in Colchester, Essex United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
On the bookcrosssing ledge. A popular OBCZ to release and pick up in in a town with a thriving BC community, I'm hoping my releases get picked up and moved on.
Journal Entry 29 by 
BookAmbler
at The Layer Fox Pub in Layer de la Haye, Essex United Kingdom on Thursday, January 17, 2013
BookAmbler at The Layer Fox Pub in Layer de la Haye, Essex United Kingdom on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (1/17/2013 UTC) at The Layer Fox Pub in Layer de la Haye, Essex United Kingdom
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Moving this on from The Purple Dog. Sorry, no time to read this well travelled book first! Will be left on the OBCZ shelves unless there is a taker at the meet.
Journal Entry 30 by candy-is-dandy at Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, January 18, 2013
Picked up at the Layer Fox bookcrossing meet last night. I see this book has been around a bit. Will read and pass on.
Journal Entry 31 by candy-is-dandy at Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, January 25, 2013
This little book is a very interesting look at post-colonial Angola, where corruption is rife, and the politicians are on the make, even those who claim to have a Marxist idealogy. There is conflict between the old traditions and legends, and the new 'western' focused economy and technologies, Those in poverty are ignored by those with power. Kuanda, the water spirit seems to be fighting back.
I tried to find out if the Luanda Syndrome, described in this book, was real. I assume there must be some basis of truth but couldn't find anything but references to this book.
I tried to find out if the Luanda Syndrome, described in this book, was real. I assume there must be some basis of truth but couldn't find anything but references to this book.
Journal Entry 32 by candy-is-dandy at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Thursday, January 31, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (1/31/2013 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Put into Soffita's African bookbox (where it has been before).
Journal Entry 33 by candy-is-dandy at Great Bardfield, Essex United Kingdom on Friday, February 1, 2013
Taken from the African bookbox for onward releasing (at Soffitta's request)
Journal Entry 34 by candy-is-dandy at Norgeshus (BC Convention 2013) in Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden on Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Released 11 yrs ago (4/19/2013 UTC) at Norgeshus (BC Convention 2013) in Göteborg, Västergötland Sweden
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
To be released at the 2013 Bookcrossing Convention.
One of the left-over books from the Convention's book tables. I decided not to wild release it, but take it back home with me.
A good, quick read about Angola, set in the beginning of the 1990s. It's magical realism, but with a strong political, critical, satirical background - revolving around ideologies, the breaking up of communism, corruption, colonialism, the elites & the poor.
Off to KiwiinEngland.
Enjoy!
Journal Entry 38 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, May 13, 2013
Thank you for this RABCK , which I shall read to help me fulfill reading six books from six different countries in Africa. Thanks also for the great book labels you sent through, much appreciated.
Journal Entry 39 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Thursday, October 10, 2013
I enjoyed this short book, and how the corruption of the main characters was played. How difficult to live in a society where everyone is on the take, or people are poor and used.
Journal Entry 40 by kiwiinengland at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, November 11, 2013
Released 10 yrs ago (11/12/2013 UTC) at Wellington City, Wellington Province New Zealand
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I am passing this on to Sherlockfan, to help them with the 666 challenge in 2014.
Journal Entry 41 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Collected from the Wellington BC 2nd Tuesday monthly meet-up in the "Library" at the Chicago Sports Cafe.
Thanks KiwiinEngland - as you knew I needed another book from Africa for the 666 Challenge and this will complete that section. Now just need to concentrate on 4 more for South America.
Thanks KiwiinEngland - as you knew I needed another book from Africa for the 666 Challenge and this will complete that section. Now just need to concentrate on 4 more for South America.
Journal Entry 42 by Sherlockfan at Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Friday, November 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - so different from my normal crime based reads. Lots of comments that stimulated my thoughts on behavioural differences from life in NZ. The laid-back Evangelista who uses his computer games as an escape from reality appears quite useless to the main plot yet is devoted to his capitalist seeking wife who he loves.
Angola was new to me - one of the significant benefits from participating in the 666 Challenge - I feel richer for reading this book. Thanks to hobbit for setting it out on what looks like a significant journey.
Angola was new to me - one of the significant benefits from participating in the 666 Challenge - I feel richer for reading this book. Thanks to hobbit for setting it out on what looks like a significant journey.
