A Long Way from Douala explained
| A Long Way from Douala |
| Author: | Max Lobe |
| Translator: | Ros Schwartz |
| Country: | Cameroon |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | Coming of age |
| Genre: | Literary fiction |
| Publisher: | Other Press |
| Pub Date: | 26 October 2021 |
| Media Type: | |
| Pages: | 208 (paperback) |
| Isbn: | 978-1-63542-174-3 |
| Isbn Note: | paperback |
A Long Way from Douala is a novel written by Cameroonian writer Max Lobe and translated by Ros Schwartz. It was published by Other Press in 2021. Originally published as Loin de Douala in 2018, it tells the story of Jean Moussima Bobé who journeyed with his best friend to find his elder brother.
Background
The book was originally published in French in 2018[1] and translated by Ros Schwartz in 2021. It is Lobe's first novel to be translated into English.[2] [3] In an interview with European Literature Network, Schwartz noted that her translation for Lobe's story in Words Without Border and Fatou Diome's The Belly of the Atlantic could be reasons for contracting her to translate the book.[4]
Plot
The story follows Jean Moussima Bobé, a student University of Douala, who sets off with his best friend, Simon, to find his older brother, Roger who went to Europe to achieve his football dream.Unknown to Simon, Jean had a crush on him.On their way, they met Gazelle, a human trafficker and an insultive female police inspector.
Themes
Themes in the novel include terrorism, child abuse, authoritarianism, migration, and homophobia.[5] [6]
Style
Lobe deployed the use Camfranglais in conveying words in order to bring in the familiarity of travelling locally.[5]
Reception
Kirkus Reviews called it "[a]n entertaining, decidedly offbeat coming-of-age story."[7] It was listed in Brittle Papers Notable Books of 2021 [8]
Notes and References
- Web site: Max Lobe’s book A Long Way From Doula receiving praise. 28 August 2021. Black Star News. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://www.blackstarnews.com/entertainment/books/max-lobes-book-%E2%80%98a-long-way-from-doula%E2%80%99-receiving-praise.html. live.
- Web site: 20 must-read queer novels set outside the U.S., UK and Canada. Laura. Sackton. 25 April 2022. Book Riot. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080301/https://bookriot.com/queer-novels-set-outside-the-us-uk-and-canada/. live.
- Web site: Globetrotting. Tammy. Tarng. 27 September 2021. The New York Times. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/books/new-books-international.html. live.
- French Book Week: Better tu fais ça! Interview with Ros Schwartz. Ros. Schwartz. 14 July 2020. Steven Wyss. European Literature Network. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080252/https://www.eurolitnetwork.com/french-book-week-better-tu-fais-ca-interview-with-ros-schwartz/. live.
- Web site: A Long Way from Douala: A Novel. Susi. Wyss. 16 November 2021. Washington Independent Review of Books. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/index.php/bookreview/a-long-way-from-douala-a-novel. live.
- Web site: Africa in September: Art competitions, Kenya’s export market, tourism.... The Africa Report. 26 August 2021. 2 February 2023. The Africa Report. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://www.theafricareport.com/121677/africa-in-september-art-competitions-kenyas-export-market-tourism/. live.
- Web site: The Long Way From Douala. 14 July 2021. Kirkus Reviews. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/max-lobe/a-long-way-from-douala/. live.
- Web site: 50 Notable African Books of 2021. 2 December 2021. Brittle Paper. 2 February 2023. 2 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230202080250/https://brittlepaper.com/50-notable-african-books-of-2021/. live.
