Our Lady of the Nile -- Background/Resources

[Marc]

This thread will be for discussing the background, sharing resources, etc.

Let us know if you'll be joining in the discussion!

This is Mukasonga's first novel, but not her first book, having started with non-fiction. First published in 2012 in French, it was translated into English by Melanie Mauthner and published in 2014. A film version was released in 2019 (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8690948/...), and it was shortlisted for the 2021 Warwick Prize for Women in Translation and the 2022 Republic of Consciousness UK Prize thanks to being published by Daunt Books in the UK in 2021.

REVIEWS/RESOURCES
- Interview with Scholastique Mukasonga (The White Review): https://www.thewhitereview.org/featur...
- Reviews: https://archipelagobooks.org/book/our... (click on the "Reviews" option at the bottom left of the page)
- Why Is There Conflict Between Hutus and Tutsis? (https://www.thoughtco.com/location-of...)

[Hugh]

Thanks Marc. Probably a bit soon for a reread, but I will follow the discussion and chip in where I can - I liked this book a lot.

[Sam]

I will begin this tomorrow but will not finish till the end of the week.

[Marc]

Discussion will be active until June 14, so no rush, Sam. Discussions remain open after that but activity levels off quickly depending on the book.

I didn't realize the autobiographical aspects of this novel going into it (Mukasonga having been educated in a Christian school, then having to flee Rawanda, etc.). Interesting that she writes in French.

[Alwynne]

Like Hugh it's bit too soon for a re-read for me too but may chip in from time to time.

[Alwynne]

Marc wrote: "Discussion will be active until June 14, so no rush, Sam. Discussions remain open after that but activity levels off quickly depending on the book.

I didn't realize the autobiographical aspects of..."

French is a widespread language in Belgium, as a former Belgian colony French became widespread in Rwanda, I believe often taught in missionary schools. Similar to the status/teaching of English in British colonies, something that's persisted in a number of former colonies despite the end of empire.

[Mark]

The thewhitereview interview is helpful.

[Marc]

Alwynne, I tried to find some short videos that would give a kind of truncated-but-not-entirely-superficial history of the area and Belgium's role, but they all seemed either too short or much too long. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by her language choice, especially since I believe she relocated to France, but speaking only one language myself, writing in a second seems impressive (although not that rare since it's relatively easy to think of other authors who've made similar writing choices).

Glad the review was helpful, Mark!

[Alwynne]

I remember reading some articles I'll see if I can find one that looks useful but not overwhelming. But I'd also read books like Philip Gourevich's We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families which gave me some background. He covers some of the history of the Belgian colonialist period including the ways in which their treatment of different factions intensified later conflicts. Although that kind of divide and rule approach seems to be common to a lot of colonisers. The British used similar tactics.

[Alwynne]

I did find this about languages used in Rwanda which is a few years old but would have impacted on writers like Mukasonga's education.

https://factcheck.afp.com/no-rwanda-h...

[Alwynne]

Okay the BBC has a series of short background articles for various countries.

This is their timeline for Rwanda

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-afri...

This is a brief overview of events leading to the genocide

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-afri...

And a brief overview of events during the genocide

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-afri...

[Marc]

Much appreciated, Alwynne. Hope to check out these links later today or tonight.

[Mark]

The film version is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y1vEwbe-_pg

Haven't watched it yet.

[Alwynne]

Marc wrote: "Much appreciated, Alwynne. Hope to check out these links later today or tonight."

No worries, thanks for your links too!

[Alwynne]

Mark wrote: "The film version is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Y1vEwbe-_pg

Haven't watched it yet."

Brilliant, thanks so much, hadn't thought to check.

[Mark]

Just watched the movie. It's a pretty straight adaptation of the book, perhaps a little understated. Interestingly, comments have been turned off, suggesting that there's still significant likelihood of abusive comments.