TITLE: A Body Made for Sin
AUTHOR: Alexander Nderitu
PUBLISHER: Self
REVIEWER: Scholastica Moraa
AVAILABILITY: Nuria Bookstore
Real is how I would describe this collection. A Body Made for Sin is a carefully put together collection of ten stories based in Africa. Although most of the stories are based in Kenya, they would have well been from any African country. They address several vices that Africa as a continent deals with; from terrorism, rogue politicians, immorality to violence.
For readers looking for simple stories that are informative and not mind taxing, this is the book for you. A Body Made for Sin addresses terrorism events that have affected the country such as the Garissa and Westgate Mall terrorist attacks. It addresses the abuse Africans go through working in the Middle East and many more struggles. The stories are informational and entertaining and would be a great treasure for future generations who would have an easier time picturing what the current generation has gone through. Alexander Nderitu takes violent stories that would normally make headlines and weaves his words around them, thereby immortalising the stories in words just as they are imprinted in the victims’ minds and in the people who watched the horror of terrorism scar the country.
Throughout the book, the author has placed maps to help guide the readers and give them a clear picture of where the events are taking place. This gives life to the stories and reminds the reader that they might as well be reading an actual account of events that happened, rather than just the author’s imagination. They are also a brutal reminder of the violent world we live in and how evil minds are forever plotting the peril of peace loving citizens.
For readers who dislike complicated plots and surprise endings, this is for you. For parents who sift through books to filter what their children are reading, this may be an ideal book for young readers because the language used is palatable for fairly advanced readers, title of the book aside. It is also a well of knowledge and reminder of what our nation has gone through and keeps going through.
Moraa is a young woman navigating life. Author of Beautiful Mess… Co Author of Dreams and Demons and I’m Listening 2021 edition. She is also the winner of Kendeka Prize of African Literature-2022. She can be found with a book or two. When she’s not fighting to stay afloat, she is daydreaming, writing poetry or reading.