This is why I love books in Kiswahili! Excellent descriptions of bodies. I'll never forget in class six I read Utengano, there's a passage including "misirimbi ya nyama zake za bega". As an adult reader, though, it's tedious that the women's bodies become real/ized on the page only for/during sex work and giving birth.
As a writer I find myself going immediately to analogy when touching on the body; kind of feels like the mind travels easier on paper? I published a short story ostensibly on periods without ever describing anything corporeal I think. Just thoughts & emotions 😅
Anyway, I've gotten into Marie NDiaye lately & I find she sees bodies so specifically; might be good to start with the short stories and perhaps you'll enjoy her style :))
This is why I love books in Kiswahili! Excellent descriptions of bodies. I'll never forget in class six I read Utengano, there's a passage including "misirimbi ya nyama zake za bega". As an adult reader, though, it's tedious that the women's bodies become real/ized on the page only for/during sex work and giving birth.
As a writer I find myself going immediately to analogy when touching on the body; kind of feels like the mind travels easier on paper? I published a short story ostensibly on periods without ever describing anything corporeal I think. Just thoughts & emotions 😅
Anyway, I've gotten into Marie NDiaye lately & I find she sees bodies so specifically; might be good to start with the short stories and perhaps you'll enjoy her style :))