Obligations to the Wounded: Stories

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.

Genres: Short Stories, Africa, Fiction, Zambia

168 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2024

About the author

Mubanga is an award winning novelist and short story writer. She won the Dinaane Debut Fiction Award for her debut novel, The Mourning Bird. Mubanga also won the Kalemba Short Story Prize and was shortlisted for the Bristol Short Story Prize. Her work has appeared in The Advocates for Human Rights Minnesota, The Dreamers Creative Writing, The Airgonaut, Overland, The Menteur and elsewhere. From Zambia, she lives in Minnesota.

Reviews

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book deserves so much more love!! An incredible short story collection focused on the lives and experiences of Zambian women and girls. In some stories, the women/girls live in Zambia and face issues like the oppression of one’s sexual identity, the AIDS epidemic, and sexual abuse. In others, the focus is on women of the diaspora who struggle with the expectations of immigrant parents, the American immigration system, and the “Black Tax” children who have moved abroad owe back to their family back in Zambia.

The author touches on a lot of topics, some very heavy, but these characters are in good hands. She brings awareness to their plights without depicting them strictly as victims with no agency.

I loved the way Kalimamukwento played with form, no two are the same. They are so perfectly and intentionally crafted. I loved so many of these stories, but I think “Do Not Hate Me.” and Where is Jane? are my favorites.

[Hanna (theworldtoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

eine short story collection über sambische frauen & queere personen, mütter & töchter, nach amerika ausgewanderte und in sambia lebende.
der schreibstil war wirklich bemerkenswert, poetisch & ausdrucksstark.
dadurch dass es so viele short stories waren, bleiben nicht alle im kopf und das mag ich generell an short stories nicht so, dass die geschichten so schnell verfliegen. trotzdem werde ich mich an manche ganz sicher erinnern.

[Kristiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obligations to the Wounded by Kalimamukwento is a fresh and original short story collection, set in Zambia, which explores womanhood, sexuality and queer relationships. Kalimamukwento’s writing is well-paced, poetic, and unique in how it seeks to tell these stories both in a traditional format and in ways contemporaneous to the technological age. From a Twitter interview exposing White saviourism, to the heady descriptions of girlhood and discovering your body, to the deeply melancholic and solemn first person narrative of a new mother struggling in the wake of her own mother's death, while confronting her partner's sexuality.

The collection pays homage to the interconnected suffering of women in Zambia; drawing keen attention to how simply attempting to be contends with racial discrimination, intimate partner violence, and religious expectation. Kalimamukwento’s stories are multifaceted and will no doubt find common ground in many reader's lives. Obligations to the Wounded is brave as it is honest, beautiful as it is grief-stricken, and broken as it is triumphant.

[Smithereens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I took a chance on this short story collection from an author born in Zambia. I knew nothing of Zambia and couldn’t place it on an African map. I most certainly had preconceptions (prejudices, let’s be honest) on the types of stories that I would find in this collection. But instead, it extended far beyond the clichés of African hardships and highlighted different aspects of the female experience.

Read the rest at https://smithereens.wordpress.com/

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I received a free copy of this book for review consideration.

[McKayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an early copy of this book for review from NetGalley.

This collection of short stories, which explores the lives of Zambian women and girls through time and space, lives in the spaces in-between. Between poetry and prose, between nature and nurture, between culture and family, between explaining and condemning. There are no easy answers, and each short story felt like an invitation into someone's life, not to gawk at or pick apart or figure out, but just to see, just to bear witness.

Particular themes came up repeatedly throughout these stories—family and generational trauma, the effects of colonialism, queer and trans oppression, gender roles, privilege and the lack thereof—but at no point did I feel like I was being beaten over the head or lead through the same circles over and over. Each story, each character, each perspective brought something new, a new way to challenge me, a new angle to think about an old problem. Even though some of these stories were rather short, just a few pages, by the time I got to the end, I felt like I was being ripped away from someone I'd only just begun getting to know, and I wanted to go back and ask a thousand more questions. I do not by any means believe myself to now be some kind of expert in Zambian history or culture, but Kalimamukwento, in relatively so few words, made me feel like an expert in each of her protagonists, and the skill involved in communicating so much in so little time is staggering.

Kalimamukwento's language in this book is breathtaking. I have long been a huge fan of the use of poetic techniques and styles in prose writing, but this story takes that to an entirely new level. The opening story, "Azubah," sets the stage for an entire collection that pushes the boundaries of the English language, that uses words to both paint a picture and create a soundscape, that brings other languages in unapologetically and without the use of clumsy explanatory commas. The reader is brought into an existing world, and it is the reader's responsibility to find their way through it.

As I read through this collection, I kept coming back to the title, and how wonderful the choice of "obligations" was. This is a book that had me chewing on the notion of obligation, and who we are obligated to, and why, and when. None of us comes from nothing, and the not-nothing we come from is never perfect or sterile or ideal. I don't think I know more now that I did at the beginning what or who I am obligated to, but it's a question I know I've been afraid to ask, and the women in these stories have pushed me in a way I never could have expected going in. Many of these stories will be living with me for a long, long time, and I know that the next time I revisit them, I will find and learn so much more than I did my first time around.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Gracious · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brice Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley & University of Pittsburgh Press for the ARC!

Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s Obligations to the Wounded is a crackling collection of short stories about Zambian women, defined by an impressively light touch for such heavy themes.

These stories focus on characters who are surrounded by people who feel no obligation to care. Whether it’s a daughter navigating the fractures of her own family history through her mother’s dementia or a girl exploring her gender identity in the wake of her father’s death, these are stories of cultural constraints and the way they are navigated.

Obviously, there is some really dark subject matter, but I think it’s telling that the book’s title refers to “the wounded,” not “the victims.” Kalimamukwento treats her characters with such care, ensuring that that while they may be injured, they are never objects—these stories are told vibrantly but never graphically. The author’s writing style feels richly lived-in, and she has an amazing ability to situate characters believably in history and culture, whether we’re reading about a young, queer girl forced into polygamous marriage, lifelong favoritism toward sons, or impending deportation from the United States.

Personally, I think the first half of the book feels more developed than the latter half, but there are some notable exceptions—“#BaileyLies” is an incredible online back-and-forth between a Zambian journalist and a white, opportunistic memoirist who writes exactly the kind of exploitative, “humanitarian” book you would expect. It’s difficult to write believably about online discourse because it’s already such a heightened space, but Kalimamukwento does so with a steady hand, and this piece is a great example of how she is able to craft thematically knotty stories that never feel dense or clumsily blunt. This is such a meaningfully intentional book.

All in all, Obligations to the Wounded is excellent, and I look forward to reading The Mourning Bird as soon as I get a chance.

[Lanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, #NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of #ObligationstotheWounded by #MubangaKalimamukwento ! #review #NetGalley

4.25/5*

Long Story Short: Based solely on feelings, each story should have its own book.

Obligations to the Wounded by Mubanga Kalimamukwento is a short story collection centered on motherhood, migration, and how everything in between builds family dynamics. That is, Kalimamukwento explores the rift created by the separation of those who stay in Zimbabwe and those who leave for the US. Hers are show-don’t-tell stories where the role of Zimbabwean culture and traditions is never forgotten and is positioned against the backdrop of external elements. Therefore, questions such as the US treatment of migrants or parental expectations are brought up to demonstrate a need to perform a role that justifies one’s existence in society, thus avoiding alterity.

The author does an amazing job of capturing moments frozen in time and space and sustained by emotions. A great care for word choice and cadence is noticeable, making each story feel distinct from the others, its own experience.

Some of them, however, need a little more polishing. This is the case of “#baileylies,” which, despite being a bit confusing, has an interesting idea behind it and focuses on cancel culture and social media.

Overall, and taking into consideration that this review was based on an uncorrected version, there is no denying the potential of Obligations to the Wounded, which at its best will likely be comparable to some great names within the field of migration literature.

[Alexandra Gonçalves · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
As with most short story collections, this felt kind of uneven to me, mostly because some of the stories (specifically, "Where is Jane?" and "Whisper Down the Lane") play with form in a way that I don't particularly enjoy as a reader but that objectively was a great way of imparting additional cultural nuance. It will probably surprise no one that the stories I most enjoyed were ones centering queer characters: "Inswa," "Reflections," and "A Doctor, A Lawyer, an Engineer, or a Shame to the Family." I also really enjoyed "#BaileyLies" with the multimedia elements and it's slightly more contemporary feel. By far the weakest story in the collection, in my opinion, was "Do Not Hate Me," mostly because I don't think it belongs in this collection since the POV character is a man. I did read a review that suggested that the character in this story has Dissociative Identity Disorder and, if that's the case, an argument could be made that one of his alters is female and that's why this story is in here, but since Msanide is always addressed as he/him, I would say that it's a tenuous reason at best.

[Rutendo Chichaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obligations to the Wounded is a collection that explores familial bonds and shines through the complexities of human connection. The collection starts strong, setting the tone for what follows. ‘Azubah’ is a story that will forever be etched in my mind. Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s writing is persuasive, and her use of language is sparing. Kalimamukwento manages to hook the reader without saying too much—just enough to make the reader reflect. A wound runs across all the stories: a language unspoken/forgotten, a love unrequited, a mind scattered, grief everlasting, humanity denied, the pursuit of freedom, unforgiving diseases, and unfulfilled voids. In these stories, Kalimamukwento shows that the state of life cannot be ignored, ugly as it is at times, and no matter how much we may want to look away. At the core are the experiences of Zambian women and at the beginning of each story is what I view as a declaration of the importance of the mother tongue. It's a brilliant collection, and I highly recommend it.

[Zoe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full disclaimer, I do not read many (if any) short stories or short story collections, so I’m not sure how to particularly articulate my thoughts on them.

On a very basic level, it was fun to read a collection from a perspective I’ve never experienced before and getting the geographic and cultural specificities that comes with that while also seeing these characters as fundamentally relatable. I was also a fan of how this collection utilizes themes of abuse, especially because I just watched a show that handled abuse incredibly poorly, so this was quite refreshing.

My struggle with collections is when some stories just feel much more thoughtful than others. For example, “Reflections” centers a trans character and it simply felt more surface level than many of the others. Similarly, the first half or so of this book really kept me engaged, but I felt my interest dwindling as I continued. The stories that I felt are definitely worth checking out are:

- Azubah
- Inswa
- A Doctor, a Lawyer, an Engineer, or a Shame to the Family
- “Do Not Hate Me.”
- Hail Mary

[Meebelo Malama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book copy courtesy of the author
----------------------------

Proud to make my Goodreads debut by reviewing a work of Zambian literature.

Obligations to the Wounded is an anthology of short stories that explores the lives of Zambian women, and their struggles both in their homeland and the diaspora.

Each story is introduced by a Zambian proverb, which speaks to the overarching theme of the narrative. The collection draws on diverse aspects of Zambian culture and daily life, from traditional views and social expectations to modern social media culture. The stories are meticulously crafted, capturing the subtle yet nuanced details of life in Zambia.

While the entire collection is compelling, some stories that left a lasting impression on me include "It will be beautiful again," "Mastitis," "Whisper Down the Lane," and "Where is Jane?"

Mubanga Kalimamukwento's writing is truly exceptional. She has an impressive ability to weave timelines, generations, and events together. I think that she would flourish at writing historical fiction and epic trilogies.

She is on a clear path to becoming one of Africa's literary giants.

[Dorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obligations to the Wounded is a collection of short stories about girlhood and womanhood in Zambia, focusing in on family, gender roles, identity, immigration and levels of privilege.

Each tale follows its own theme, each heart wrenching in its own way. Every one is written beautifully, and every time I finished one, I wanted to learn more about the protagonist. They are important stories to tell and leave you with plenty of opportunities for reflection.

In my eyes, the use of the word “obligations” in the title of this book summarises it well, in terms of the expectations surrounding obligations, as well as which are and are not carried out.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 

[Megz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a big short story reader, but I’ve read a few good collections recently. I especially find them nice when I’m exploring writers from countries I haven’t read much before. I requested Obligations to the Wounded when I was looking for contemporary Zambian literature. Mothers and daughters, locals or expats, queer people and straight… it’s not just the diversity of these stories that make me keep reading, it’s their rhythm, their cadence. The author takes the reader to Zambia by means of all the senses - including smell and taste. The reader burrows into the hearts of the characters, and vice versa, becoming one with their beat.

Thank you to Netgalley and University of Pittsburgh Press for the eARC.

[Marco Garibay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read this book for class, and I have to say I fell in love with it.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mubanga and asking her a bit about the book and her inspirations for it, and those conversations with her made it very clear to me how much hard work, passion and dedication went into writing these short stories.

Each short story had a life of its own, and the attention to detail in each one is absolutely insane. The way that Mubanga is able to describe the mundane and the extraordinary in a way that makes you picture and feel the scenes so vividly is something that needs to be studied.

She has an innate gift for storytelling, and Obligations to the Wounded is proof of it.

[Quentin Sieredzki · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book by a Zambian author I've ever read. A welcome escape from the clutches of Frank, finally a book that is well written!

I found it refreshing to read a collection of short stories that have so many different lengths, some only being a few pages while others being 20+ pages. I also thought that the topics were pretty diverse, as opposed to other collections of shorts that sometimes feel a little like reading something with the same character, just with a different name. However, this also leads to the collection being a little less consistent - I felt as though the highs were incredible, while other stories did not resonate as much.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rich and wonderful collection of stories showcasing the diverse experiences of women and girls in Southern Africa.

Whilst interrogating many of the traditional attitudes faced by Zambian women, the stories also look at the situation from a globalist perspective, incorporating many of the everyday aspects of modern life, including social media and relationship issues.

Offering insights into a cultural landscape that many will be unfamiliar with, this is a collection well worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected it to be, and was all the better for it.
This collections of stories elicited fear, sadness, understanding and a lack thereof.
The heaviness of certain stories within (especially Where is Jane) will be felt for some time.
I know this is a work of fiction, but the words ring true in ways that it is hard to view it as such.
I am thankful to have read this and look forward to purchasing this book for my own home library.

[Michelle Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mubanga Kalimamukwento’s Obligations to the Wounded is a bold collection of short stories. Focusing on Zambian women, the stories explore motherhood, daughterhood, immigration, gender, cultural expectations and much more. Like in all short story collections, there are ones you connect to more than others, but Kalimamukwento’s voice is so present and her touch is light and deft given the seriousness of some of the themes. Thank you to #netgalley and University of Pittsburgh Press for this ARC.

[Anita Salát · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of stories so different from my own that it took me a while to understand where the author was coming from. A well educated lawyer in Zambia, author Kalimamukweto tries to reflect stories she has heard and seen to educate those of many cultures of how women are treated as well as how they treat others.I can see how and why this is an important book in that regard and why I give it 4/5

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short story collections generally leave me pretty cold. But every once in a while one unexpectedly grabs me. OBLIGATIONS TO THE WOUNDED by Mubanga Kalimamukwento was one of those pleasant surprises.

These short stories explored womanhood and girlhood as experienced by contemporary Zambians, both in their homeland and abroad. The topics covered were often heavy: discovering a devastating family secret, the dread of facing deportation proceedings, the consequences of defying gender norms and taboos against homosexuality. Luckily, there was plenty of wry humor, playfulness with form and style, and startling plot twists to balance out the weight. I loved how each story tugged at the tension between tradition and modernity—raising broader questions about identity, duty, and agency and the particular burdens mothers, wives, daughters, and sisters bear—without being heavy-handed. While there were ambiguous endings here (the second story literally ends with a comma), instead of leaving me unsatisfied, the lack of full closure left me thinking about these characters’ fates long after I turned the last page.

Like many short story collections, this one was a bit uneven, especially toward the end. But if you’re looking for something dark, emotional, and inventive, check this one out.