Nairobi Noir by

Nairobi Noir (Akashic Noir)

Nairobi Noir brings together some of Kenya's most exciting and acclaimed writers, in this celebration of noir writing, played out on the streets of Nairobi.
"Although the range of issues explored in Nairobi Noir is as diverse as its contributors, it all gestures toward a common theme. In this concrete jungle, the hunters and herders live on. As do the hunted..."- Peter Kimani, introduction
Featuring brand new stories from: Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Stanley Gazemba, Ngumi Kibera, Peter Kimani, Winfred Kiunga, Kinyanjui Kombani, Caroline Mose, Kevin Mwachiro, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, Faith Oneya, Makena Onjerika, Troy Onyango, J.E. Sibi-Okumu, and Rasna Warah.

Reviewed by moraa on

3 of 5 stars

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Nairobi Noir is an act of excavation, rediscovering the city's ossified past and infusing
life to preserve it for future generations.


Overall rating: 3.5 stars

FAVOURITE STORY:
1. Number Sita: 4 stars
-LGBT representation (it’s not normalised enough)
-good writing, storyline and characters

BEST-WRITTEN STORY:
2. A Song from A Forgotten Place: 4 stars
-the writing truly is immaculate and the story more so

THE REST: (ranked in order of publication excluding #1 and #2)
3. She Dug Two Graves: 3.5 stars
4. Andaki: 3.5 stars
5. Mathree: 3 stars
6. Blood Sister: 3.5 stars
7. Say You are not my Son: 3 stars
8. For our Mothers: 3 stars
9. Plot Ten: 3.5 stars
10. Have Another Roti: 2.5 stars
11. Belonging: 2.5 stars
12. The Hermit in the Helmet: 3.5 stars
13. Turn on the Light: 2.5 stars

HONORARY MENTION:
14. The Night Beat: 3.5 stars
-glad they saved it for last

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 10 July, 2020: Finished reading
  • 10 July, 2020: Reviewed