A gripping book, this story pulls you till the very end, I enjoyed reading it. I definitely will love to see more from the author

I like the striking & shattering stories that this collection portrays. It's not easy ones; ranging from queer Zambian experiences & struggles in a Zambian-religious family; to the American dream, experience of being a Zambian in the land of the whites, nationality. And a little part of this book? Mother struggling with AIDS, child trafficking, child prostitution & rape, and death. Definitely mind the trigger warnings before proceeding but this was eye opening & I 'enjoy' (for lack of better words) learning about the Zambian voices through literature. Thank you to NetGalley & publisher for the e-ARC.

Kalimamukwento's short story collection is a fascinating exploration of Zambian lives - primarily Zambian women - throughout time and around the world. Through its pages, it dives into themes of family, identity, queerness, and the weighty sense of obligation that often ties people to specific roles or expectations. In my opinion, this collection really shines in its ability to blend universal shared experiences and insights with perspectives unique to Zambian culture.

One of the collection's strengths is its innovative use of language. Each story opens with a quote or idiom, setting the tone for what follows. Within the narratives, Kalimamukwento experiments with form and style - some stories adopt a poetic cadence, while others seamlessly weave in multiple languages to enrich their meaning. This linguistic playfulness adds depth and texture to these stories which I felt greatly enhanced my reading experience.

While most of the stories captivated me with their engaging characters and thoughtful perspectives, a few felt too short. I found myself wishing to linger longer in certain narratives, to better understand and connect with the characters. However, the gems within this collection were really something special! Many stories challenged me to reconsider familiar problems from new perspectives and provided new ways of thinking about issues I was both aware and unaware of. Above all, this collection left me reflecting on the concept of obligation; mainly who we owe this to, why we owe them, and how these connections shape our lives. These stories accurately captured the messiness of what makes us all who we are and reminds us that everyone has their own baggage they're trying to sort through!

This was a deeply thought-provoking debut that makes me eager to explore more of Kalimamukwento’s work in the future. I think it can best be described as a blend of literary fiction and magical realism but I think with the wide variety of stories here it has a little something for everyone to give it a try!

I am so thankful to The University of Pittsburgh Press, Mubanga Kalimamukwento, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this galley before publication day. I really enjoyed the dialogue and plot of this book and can’t wait to chat this one up with my friends!

This is my first read from a Zambian author and I was not disappointed. Every story was making me feel something and the collection ended way too fast. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my free digital ARC!

This is a lightning quick little short story collection, that still manages to make an impact on the reader! All these stories centre around Zambians both in Zambia and in the diaspora. There were also a surprising number of queer narratives which I wasn't expecting based on the blurb but which I love to see, obviously!

I will say that the first half of this collection is quite a bit stronger than the second. It starts off as a full five-star collection, but some of the shorter and later stories don't make quite the same impression.

Most of the stories centre around women and the expectations placed on them inside the family home and at work. Young girls exploring a joyful sapphic love are met with the cold reality of parental expectations of finding a husband. A queer woman shoulders her parents career expectations. A woman is called back to Zambia to shoulder the responsibility of her ailing mother.

Then we have some diaspora stories which were heartbreaking. In Mastitis, a new mother struggles to breastfeed her newborn, while struggling to come to terms with the real reason her husband has moved into the spare room. In Hail Mary, a woman who's made her entire life in the US faces deportation to a country she barely knows.

Skipping past the weaker ones, we get some gems towards the end too. In Speaking English, Kalimamukwento explores colonialism and anglo-centric attitudes which push out native languages. Similar themes are explored in the funny and frustrating #BaileyLies, where a journalist tries to challenge a white woman author who's written a (largely fictional) white saviour memoir about Africa.

I'd highly recommend this collection if you're looking for a fresh new short story collection!

My first ever book from a Zambian author, an impressive collection of short writings. To me, the stories were as much informative as they were entertaining, embarrassing and upsetting. The description of local traditions and ceremonies, and the use of tribal language give the book a special Zambian taste, but the USA is always there, hovering over people's lives. Some of the stories are especially heart-wrenching.

Obligations to the wounded explores the expectations and burdens of womenhood in Zambia and for Zambian women living abroad. 

It's a collection of short stories, sharing the voices of different women in different situations. However the voices felt so linked that it could have just been one story. The collection examines how girls and women manage expecting around religion, death, migration, viol nice and racial discrimination. Some of the women are in Zambia and some live abroad and are struggling to keep their identity. 

It was a really beautiful but clever exploration into these women's lives. I feel like it's one I need to reread again slowly to really understand all of the intricacies within.

I love to tell my sister she’s part-Zambian; but she recently huffily retorted that “Zambian” is not an ethnicity—which, you know, cutting, but true. There are many connections between Zambia and Zimbabwe, not just Mosi-oa-Tunya (or the Falls named after some random British queen by British explorers); so many, in fact, that this collection read like home to me.

I must start with the last story, because the rhyme in *Where is Jane?* is one we used to chant as children in Bulawayo, where I grew up. It’s a spooky rhyme about a woman who haunted people who moved around at night, particularly those who went past the cemetery. (I’m pretty sure she was in newspapers here a few times, too.) Kalimamukwento uses the rhyme as the basis of a story about the terrible assault of a young girl. I felt it incredibly deeply: the innocence of the childish rhyme, against the horror of the protagonist’s loss of innocence.

*Azubah*, the collection’s opening story, is about Black tax and an emigrant woman’s memories of her difficult relationship with her mother, who’s now dying. In *Inswa*, two rural girls explore their sexuality together amidst the expectations and demands of their society that they will fall into chosen roles. *A Doctor, A Lawyer, An Engineer, or a Shame to the Family* is also about expectations, this time parental, and the disappointment that parents experience when their children turn out not to be mouldable clay. It’s in the form of a letter from an aunt to a new child, spilling all the family secrets. *Reflections* tells the story of a child just learning they don’t want to present as a girl after all. They have their father’s support, but not their mother’s—because the mother’s identity is tied up in the child’s.

The protagonist of *“Do Not Hate Me”* has what Western medicine would call multiple personality disorder—but the common African understanding of it is, of course, possession. *Mastitis* is about the grief and rudderlessness of a new mother who’s just lost her own mother; in the most delightful way, her mother finds her way back to help her. Many Africans will relate to *Am-e-ri-ca*—the dreaded visa interview; but this is told from the perspective of a young child at the embassy with her mother. And *It Will Be Beautiful Again* is the tender and heartbreaking story of a mother dying of AIDS.

These stories are about the wounded, about making their stories known and voices heard. The child exploring their gender identity is initially punished by their mother, and treated brutally; but later, there’s redemption—which doesn’t happen for every character. Girls aren’t given the opportunity to grow into themselves before they’re forced into society’s roles. One young girl, a victim of her mother’s poverty, is sexually abused. People yearn to move overseas to improve their prospects, but the process is hard, or life there not quite what they hoped. Mother tongues—symbols of rootedness, and signifiers of identity—and indigenous names are lost, given up, in favour of the coloniser’s language, so as to assimilate.

There’s terrible pain, but also—so importantly—humour, dignity, and defiance in these stories. Kalimamukwento is supremely creative in choosing her points of view; many of these characters are children or teenagers, which makes for unexpected angles. In this collection, the subjects and themes are as surprising and rainbow-hued as life is. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to University of Pittsburgh Press and NetGalley for an early copy.

This is a collection of short stories, each dealing with the experiences of women, girls in Zambia and the Zambian diaspora. I found them very thought-provoking, but I often had to read the stories a couple of times to understand what was going on.

Generally, I enjoyed the book, but I took away a star because I didn't fully understand what the author was trying to say in the story. However, this is likely to be a me problem rather than the author's.

This is a powerful book. We need to share it widely and speak about it more.

Its a beautifully written collection of deeply moving 16 short stories that explore the expectations and burdens of womanhood in Zambia and for Zambian women living abroad.

I couldn’t help but notice how all 16 stories involve Zambian women of various ages and from various walks of life. Yet in almost all of them, there’s a woman bravely leaving what she knows, what is expected of her, to live her truth. There’s women coming back home to face traumas, reopening wounds, accepting unanswered questions and still choosing to move forward.

I appreciated the essence of these stories- the main character almost ends up packing up to go somewhere - perhaps signifying the carving of their own path. The reader doesn’t always get to know where they are going but we are left in awe of these wounded characters’ resilience. There’s almost a sense of freedom, imperfect freedom but freedom nonetheless.

Another strong theme that runs through the collection is the mother-daughter dynamic. Almost every story centers around a woman and her mother, perhaps signifying how easily generational trauma can be passed down, and how it takes a brave descendant to break the cycle.

Each character carries a certain vulnerability. Each of them are wounded in some way- there’s a woman summoned back home to take care of a mother battling dementia, who she feels has never liked her as much as her sibling. There’s a woman battling social and familial expectations surrounding who she should be attracted to, a woman in an arranged marriage, young girls witnessing their mothers experiencing physical abuse at the hands of their fathers. Yet in all of this pain, the writer invites us to witness these stories, cultivate a little bit of empathy and perhaps see bits of ourselves and our stories scattered across the pages. Most importantly she reminds us that each one of us has an obligation towards the wounded.

This is a brilliant book and Mubanga’s lyrical prose is a pleasure to read. It deserves its award and I hope it wins more.

"Obligations to the wounded" is undoubtedly a powerful collection of stories about Zambian women and girls. Written using a poetic prose rich in symbolism and images, the author involves us in a soundscape and culturally rich, where English and other languages are mixed without the obligation to translate or give a note of explanation.
In a myriad of themes from the consequences of colonialism, queer and trans oppression, gender roles and generational trauma, we are prompted to reflect on collective responsibility for the suffering of others. The work addresses the legacy of personal and structural violence, and reflects on the scars that remain.
Although many of the themes are repeated and overlap, the author manages to give a distinct voice to each of the stories, offering different experiences of reading.
Mubanga Kalimamukwento does a brilliant job describing and constructing all the complex characters, "wounded" by various types of violence, and manages to situate them in a time that is realistic and at the same time timeless.
I highly recommend this book not only for its beautiful prose, but mainly as a window to perspectives that may be different from our realities.
After such a rich experience with this book, I hope to soon be able to read The Mourning Bird by the same author.

Thank you to NetGalley and University of Pittsburgh Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s “Obligations to the Wounded” is a powerful collection of short stories that delves into the lives of Zambian women, both in their homeland and abroad. This collection, which won the 2024 Drue Heinz Literature Prize, is a testament to Kalimamukwento’s skill in weaving narratives that are both deeply personal yet universally relevant. .

The stories in this collection are set against the rich cultural backdrop of Zambia, with some extending to the experiences of Zambian women living in other parts of the world. Each story is a window into the struggles and triumphs of its characters, exploring themes of migration, identity, and the burdens of womanhood. Kalimamukwento’s settings are vividly described, immersing readers in the vibrant yet challenging worlds her characters inhabit.

The women in “Obligations to the Wounded” are portrayed with remarkable depth and empathy. From young girls facing forced marriages to women grappling with the expectations of their families and society, each character is a testament to resilience and strength. Kalimamukwento’s ability to capture the nuances of her characters’ emotions and experiences makes them relatable and compelling.

Central to this collection are themes of resilience, identity, and the quest for autonomy. The stories explore the intersection of personal and cultural expectations, highlighting the often harsh realities faced by women. These themes are handled with sensitivity and insight, making the collection both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful.

Kalimamukwento’s writing is both lyrical and precise, with a keen eye for detail that brings her stories to life.

“Obligations to the Wounded” is a remarkable collection that offers a profound exploration of the lives of Zambian women. Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s stories are a blend of beauty and brutality, capturing the essence of human resilience in the face of adversity.

This collection is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary African literature and the universal struggles of womanhood.

I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories. I found them to be thought provoking, poignant, and vivid and felt the varying lengths and themes of the individual stories made it easy to follow and finish. Though with any collection there are some stories that took more of a front seat than others, but every story is one that captures another layer of Zambian culture and perspective.

These stories approach many different topics and it was clear the author has such a way of conveying, abandonment, depression, sacrifice, grief, and hope. Stories such as Inswa, Chidunune, and Speaking English really stood out to me. They take on layered forms of storytelling that not only explore innocence, but assimilation and conformity. Each one with varied takes of the dangers of these topics and in which case help to strongly amplify their characters experiences.

Im certain there will be something in this book that resonates with most readers and others will surely be empathize with and feel connected to each story. I will be on the lookout for more from this author and the powerful discussions they leave open through their writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company for access to this digital arc.

In this collection of short stores Mubanga Kalimanukwento explores the lives of Zambian people across the globe.

I deeply enjoyed the experimental style of this novel. The prose like writing created a rhythm to the novel that accentuated key moments. As well as, leading the reader across different themes smoothly. The characters in each short story span across different physical localities but all have Zambia at heart. I thought the exploration of diaspora was interesting in these contexts and would find the spacing of stories to enhance these themes within the collection. I found the exploration of LGBT themes interesting and they way that they were treat in the narrative was eye opening and heart wrenching. Much like most of the topics and narratives of the stories.

With all short story collections there was some that stood out more, 'INSWA' is the main one for me as you can tell the exploration of the themes within touched my heart. My only wish was that with some of these stand out stories they could have been longer as I was left wanting more. I would be extremely excited to read a novel from Kalimanukwento.

Thank you to #netgalley for this #obligationstothewounded ARC.

Obligations To The Wounded
by: Mubanga Kalimamukwento
University of Pittsburgh Press
due 10-3-24

Such powerful and unique writing, and inspiring stories of growing up, in Zambia. The stories of motherhood, friendship, and human connection are fascinating and educating-eye-opening and heart wringing. My personal favorite was "INSWA" the story of two women who dare to go against the accepted lifestyle, and how its reception by influenced the outcome.
I highly recommend this collection of stories about womanhood in Zambia and Zambian woman living abroad. This is one I will be purchasing for my personal collection. I think you will love it also.
Thanks to netgalley for sending this e-book ARC for review. Thanks to University of Pittsburgh Press and the author, as well.
#netgalley #ObligationsToTheWounded

A gripping collection of short stories which left me wishing there were more.

Kalimamukwento writes in several different styles, helping to keep the stories distinct from each other and differentiate the narration. My personal favourites were Inswa, Mastitis and Feral Children.

I hope to read more by this author in future.

Obligations to the Wounded is a poignant and compelling novel that explores the moral, emotional, and societal responsibilities toward those who have been hurt, both physically and emotionally. The author masterfully weaves together the stories of characters grappling with personal and collective wounds, offering a raw and honest portrayal of healing, guilt, and redemption. The prose is evocative, with a deep sense of empathy for the human condition. This novel prompts readers to question the weight of their own obligations to others, making it both a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant read.

In this concise yet impactful collection, Mubanga Kalimukwento delves into a multitude of important and complex human experiences through the lives of Zambian women and children. The stories explore themes such as navigating life with a homophobic mother, grieving a lost parent while battling postpartum depression, the slow heartbreak of losing a loved one to dementia, and the challenges of adapting to forced assimilation and casual racism as a child in a new environment, to name just a few.

This collection sheds light on the often painful and deeply real experiences of women and children within the Zambian diaspora. I found myself reflecting on the nuances and complexities of the individual and collective stories portrayed, particularly those that played with reality as a device to explore overarching themes.

As with many short story collections, I connected with certain stories more than others. My personal favourites were "Do Not Hate Me", "Mastitis", and "#BaileyLies".

While some stories were particularly effective and powerful due to their brevity, I couldn’t help but feel that several could have been even more impactful as full-length novels or novellas. In particular, the stories centred on the experiences of children in the Zambian diaspora seemed perfect for expansion into a layered, multigenerational family saga. I would certainly be eager to read more from Mubanga Kalimukwento in the future. With her beautiful writing, compelling subject matter, and the freedom to explore these themes across more pages, I’m confident I would fall even more in love with her work.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone seeking diverse perspectives, whether they mirror their own experiences or offer a window into vastly different lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley and Univeristy of Pittsburgh Press for the arc of this book!

Obligations to the wounded centers around zambian women and girls. This is a short story collection, dealing with themes like gendered violence, generational trauma, immigration and more. It's really exceptional how many subjects are tackled within the stories, without it ever being heavyhanded or too intense. A few of the stories were a little too short for my liking, and i would have liked to have spent some more time with some of the characters. All in all however, a great read and a great collection of stories.