Prior to compiling this sensational list of best reads 2009 – including a strong mention for the Chilean Roberto Bolano – Percy Zvomuya received an email from a rather ill-natured individual:
As I was I about to compile my best reads of 2009 I got a rather grumpy email from a Zimbabwean writer. “I just saw your review of my book. Wow,” it began.“The way you read it, especially contrasted with the way you read [Chimamanda Ngozi] Adichie’s latest book, confirms yet again for me that critics are simply readers who are privileged to have their opinions published. And like all readers, they, and we, all have our own different ways of reading.”
I wanted to write back and explain, but what would I say? If it had come from a fellow reader I would have written back, explaining why that particular book didn’t quite work for me. My critiques are never personal; I don’t know or want to befriend most of the writers whose works I review.
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