Once again, it’s that time of the year! Debutiful Magazine has published its list of the Best Debut Books of 2024 according to founder, Adam Vitcavage. Featured on the list of 42 debut books are ‘Pemi Aguda and Mubanga Kalimamukwento.
Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda
In this beguiling collection of twelve imaginative stories set in Lagos, Nigeria, ‘Pemi Aguda dramatizes the tension between our yearning to be individuals and the ways we are haunted by what came before.
In “Manifest,” a woman sees the ghost of her abusive mother in her daughter’s face. Shortly after, the daughter is overtaken by wicked and destructive impulses. In “Breastmilk,” a wife forgives her husband for his infidelity. Months later, when she is unable to produce milk for her newborn, she blames herself for failing to uphold her mother’s feminist values and doubts her fitness for motherhood. In “Things Boys Do,” a trio of fathers finds something unnatural and unnerving about their infant sons. As their lives rapidly fall to pieces, they begin to fear that their sons are the cause of their troubles. And in “24, Alhaji Williams Street,” a teenage boy lives in the shadow of a mysterious disease that’s killing the boys on his street. Founder, Adam Vitcavage had this to say,
“Aguda’s stories are breathtaking. This collection moves readers through Lagos with interesting hooks and even more interesting structure. Aguda has such a masterful grasp on bringing readers into these worlds and letting them fumble around with the characters before shining a light to reveal the a ha moment of it all. I loved exploring Lagos with her.”
Obligations to the Wounded by Mubanga Kalimamukwento
In formally adventurous stories rooted in Zambian literary tradition, Obligations to the Wounded explores the expectations and burdens of womanhood in Zambia and for Zambian women living abroad. The collection converses with global social problems through the depiction of games, social media feuds, letters, and folklore to illustrate how girls and women manage religious expectation, migration, loss of language, death, intimate partner violence, and racial discrimination. Although the women and girls inhabiting these pages are separated geographically and by life stage, their shared burdens, culture, and homeland inextricably link them together in struggle and triumph. Founder Adam Vitcavage had this to say,
“These stories! These stories! They are opulent, clever, and ingenious. While they follow these women’s lives, they also offer insight into large themes seen across the globe. Kalimamukwento is a graceful writer who has already hit her stride. Her future is bright.”
Debutiful is a website and podcast where readers can discover debut authors. Each month, expect book recommendations and author interviews.
Congratulations ‘Pemi and Mubanga!
Bongiwe T. Maphosa
Bongiwe Maphosa is a budding author with a passion for storytelling. With her thought-provoking narratives, she takes her readers on a literary adventure. Bongiwe's works on the human condition from a fresh perspective have earned her recognition and publications in the Avbob Poetry Anthology of 2019, The Writer's Club of South Africa 2021, and JAY Lit in 2021. She hopes to cement her place in the literary community.
