This anthology features some of Kenya’s freshest writing talents. It is a collection of stories that explore the dark corners of the human mind.
Some of the stories find something in those dark corners, grab it and drag it out as it thrashes like fish on a hook.
Others find something unfathomable lurking in the dark and come out screaming. Yet some tales shine the light on the dark crevices and what we behold knocks us back or takes our breath away.
Whichever way you slice it, these stories will have a lasting impact on you, er, your breakfast.
mushomoro –
I love this book. Horror at its best
Nasike –
‘When you are a mother, you are allowed to think your children are ugly’, Chanchori begins. This story is all kinds of ugly and unhinged, in a lovely way.
Do you know how to pronounce Honoreaux? The reaux is pronounced as ‘row your boat’ and not as the ‘ox’. Clap for me. In Nduta’s The Hotel Honoreaux, we are all characters in our own books.
Sigh* I have no words for this. Heartbreaking. That’s all. What’s justice really? Narrated in a childlike voice and hopelessness of a victim, Heri takes you through Phantom Justice.
‘A pig with lipstick is still a pig’. The contempt, the sardonicism, the cynicism! Eish! Action packed! Damn! Nthenya packs a mean punch, a loaded gun, a precise knife…Okay, let me stop here.
Azriel’s wife took Noel and Wairimu and… It’s just a normal day at work, I guess. Koina’s writing is part sentimental and part cracked. Cracked for crazy.
Rogoi’s The Milk Wars is impeccably descriptive. However, the use of the first person was quite confusing.
Mid-story, Aliet throws in big words like tumescence. There’s cynical characters with erotic asphyxiation fantasies. Throw in an inclination towards rape and somnophilia.
ResH reminds me of high school. We were accused of lesbianism and devil worshipping during a parents meeting. Our parents looked shocked and crestfallen. My mum looked at me solemnly and said,
“Mama, you cannot engage in lesbianism. It’s wrong, it’s bad and evil’.
I wanted to ask her if being a devil worshiper would make things better. I didn’t. To her relief, I love boys. To her dismay, I can’t seem to keep one for a lifetime.
When we talk gender, everyone assumes it’s a woman issue. I guess, it’s easier for society to face aggression towards women. Aggression of any kind towards men is met with more aggression and victim shaming. Then the man dies or is in his deathbed. At that moment, everyone seeks justice. Ironical, right? Even then, there’s what-aboutism and every kind of alternate narrative.
Muriuki doesn’t pull punches. However, I guess, she figures that society won’t be as angry if her character Mugera dies. So, Cici is that buffer, the character that bears the brunt of making society face the enormity of gender-based violence.
I love the book, the stories and the emotions they drag you through. Now, I don’t know about you, but my friends were scared that I was reading a book with such a cover. I told them to relax because I have read worse.
Bridgette Kwamboka –
I really loved everything about this book. I love anthologies and this one surpassed my expectations. The writers promise diversity and deliver it. I loved how varied the stories were yet so relatable. Read the book and get ten different beautiful stories by our great writers.
Wairimu Theuri –
Absolutely amazing. I have gone through a whirlwind of emotions.
Job well done.
Angela Theuri –
A Slice of Darkness for Breakfast is an amazing book, The stories are very engaging, and a page turner. You will not be disappointed.