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Kenya national Theatre. – Gallery
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The Sigana International Storytelling festival is a festival of international repute that provides a platform for storytellers from different parts of the World to showcase their Art. It also provides the Kenyan audiences and lovers of stories to experience both Homegrown and “Diasporan’ talent and excitement. In its 5th year, storytellers from Kenya, USA, Denmark and Romania will be sharing the stage. Lots of fun, excitement and memorable moments guaranteed! |
Book Review: 50 Shades of Grey
Author: EL James
Reviewed by: Faith Oneya
By all means, 50 Shades of Grey has Few Literary Merits. The use of description as a technique has been used solely for the characters, and the BDSM scenes that keep graduating as the story progresses.
The book tells the story of Anastasia (the submissive) and Christian’s (the dominant) sexual adventures as they traverse through the murky world of BDSM. According to Wikipedia, the origin of the term BDSM is unclear, and is believed to have been formed either from joining the term B&D (bondage and discipline) with S&M (sadomasochism or sadism and masochism).
Told from the first person narrative, the book follows the ‘coming of sexual age’ story of college student Anastasia and Christain Grey, CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc. The latter’s inner demons torment him and he subjects Anastasia to his ‘dark’ sexual preferences.
The graphic descriptions of the BDSM scenes are enough to warrant a PG on the cover of the book. Little wonder then that, according to the Huffington Post, a teacher was suspended by a school in Philadelphia after buying a 9th grader! See story here: (Philadelphia Teacher Philip Aidoo Suspended after Buying 9th Grader ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/05/philip-aidoo-suspended-fifty-shades-of-grey-student_n_3216451.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003)
Before I sound more prudish that I already do, let me just point out that one of the most attractive qualities about the book is the language: simple, short, witty sentences that will keep you turning the pages.
The witty character of Anastasia will also keep your finger busy because you are sure to ask: “What is she going to come up with next?” At least I did.
To say that it is an erotic novel is indeed, an understatement.
Buy it to find out why it has topped the bestseller list in the United Kingdom and the United States among other countries.
Note for those that want the full dosage: The Sequels Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, were published in 2012
THE FRIENDS ENSEMBLE & FANAKA ARTS THEATRE Invite you to watch arguably, the craziest stunts a landlord can ever pull! HOME IS WHERE YOUR CLOTHES ARE!
Strictly Adults Only!
Dates: April 25-28, 2013
Venue: Alliance Francaise de Nairobi
Times: Thursday 6 pm, Friday 6 & 8.30 pm, Saturday 3, 6 & 8.30pm and Sunday 3 & 6pm
Tickets: Ksh. 500/=
Author: Flavia Murugi
Reviewed by: Faith Oneya
Flavia Murugi’s inspirational book Inspiration Simply Simplified distinctly reminds me of Chicken Soup for the Soul which is a series of books, usually featuring a collection of short and dense inspirational stories and motivational essays. In fact, what set the two books apart was the uniquely Kenyan context. Plus Murugi’s book is small enough to read in our horrendous Nairobi traffic jams.
The author shares bits and pieces of her childhood (and adulthood) and weaves in relevant religious notes to keep the spirit nourished.
The friendly tone, easy language and ‘relatable’ characters stories make for a very enjoyable reading. If you read it for any reason at all, then read it because the stories are all told in an interesting manner and are full of valuable lessons at the very end. Like my friend Melissa says, ‘inspirational authors always tell you the things you already know but in a more interesting and articulate manner’.
If there is a single negative critique I would have of the book then it would be that the language used seems to me to be ‘too casual’. In as much as it draws in the crowds (anyone picking up the book can read it to the end. Philip Ochieng’ was not the editor), it would somehow spoil the party for the grammar cops out there.
The author is living the inspired life she wishes for all of us. I had the opportunity of meeting her and basked in her glow. Her words are her. Read more about the author here:
http://literarychronicles.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/meet-the-inspirational-writer-flavia-murugi/
Go on, get the book!
Interviewed by Faith Oneya
Meet Murugi or Googs.Or Gags(As she was called as a child). She made up her mind(and stepped out of a job) to become an author in 2013 and has never looked back. You may have caught her inspiring story in this month’s True Love Kenya magazine. Flavia shared with LC her life’s journey as an author. Read on to find out more!
LC: Tell us more about yourself…
I was born in Embu and raised in Mombasa, Nakuru and Nairobi as an only child to a single mum. I grew up in a home made of 2 mums and us 4 kids i.e. my aunt and her 3 children we all lived together with our grandmother too. I started working at the age of 21 years after losing my mum when I was 19. From 2004 to 2012 I have worked in the media, educational, banking and advertising industry and finally stepped out as an author in 2013. I love hiking travelling and other cultures which have led me to climbing Mt Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro and visiting Egypt.
LC: If you could have a room full of any one thing, what would it be?
Books
LC: What book(s) are you currently reading?
The power of positive thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.
LC: Who is your favorite author?
Paulo Coelho
LC: Have you ever fallen in love with a fictional character from a book? Tell us about it.
Not in a book but maybe a TV series and that would be Geoff Stults on October Road. He is everything I would want in a man. Tall, well-built and in this character he falls in love with a full figured woman which is not expected of him considering as a football icon he is expected to date the most skinny women.
LC: What is one book you haven’t read but want to read before you die?
Richard Branson’s Biography.
LC: What kind of writer are you?
I am Inspirational writer or you could also call me the contemporary Christian writer.
LC: Please tell us about the published titles that you have?
Inspiration Simply Simplified was launched on March 17 2013 it is a compilation of my real life experiences simple yes but with life changing lessons. The Rainbow should be out by August 2013 this will be a fictional novel based on my true story basically showing that we can change our circumstances, dispel history and start a new hope in our families.
LC: Where can we buy the titles from?
Currently from me and my publishers Aura Publishers since we are in the final steps with the local bookstores.
LC: When did you first start writing and were there any incidents in your life that made you want to write? What else?
I first started writing in 2003 this started after losing my mum in 2002.
LC: Who is your favorite writer and for what reason are they your favorite writer/poet?
Paulo Coelho, I like his simple language and life changing stories and he always writes a rhetoric novel where he leaves you pondering on what you have read.
LC: Do you have a favorite chapter/line among those you have written? If so, which one. Please write down a few lines from it…..
My favorite chapter would have to be on Probability (What are the chances). This woman was told that the probability of her husband’s recovery was 1% but she said she would hold on to it and 3 months later her husband recovered. I finish the chapter by saying ”If there is 1% probability that you can succeed hold on”
LC: If you could choose one of your characters from any of your books that describe you, who would you choose?
For inspiration Simply Simplified I would pick Suzy because if there is a chance i can succeed i never give up.
In the upcoming book The Rainbow I would pick Favor because despite a bad history she believes she can change the course of her family’s history.
LC: What question have you always wanted to be asked as a writer and how would you answer it?
What would you like to be remembered for? And my answer would be i changed someone’s life in the simplest way just because they believe that if Flavia made it then they can make it.
