A tale of Nagaland folklore, of eternal darkness and of fulfilling one's destiny.
'RICH AND CREATIVE STORYTELLING... HER EERIE PROSE CONVEYS AN AIR OF MENACE THAT DRAWS THEREADER IN.' The Lady
'A COMPELLING READ... I LEARNT TO READ SPIRIT NIGHTS WITH MYINNER EYE.' Morning Star
A tiger has eaten the sun, plunging Tola's village into perpetual night time. Her people are confined to their homes, frightened and isolated. A terrible taboo has been violated to cause this disaster. But the wise elder has dreamed of this day, and her grandson Namu is eager to help. Only through journeying into unknown spirit realms, and acting with wisdom and courage, can they get the light back.
Easterine Kire is the first Nagaland novelist to write in English, and draws on real Naga tribal stories for this novel. Spirit Nights includes an essay about these 'Dark Time Accounts' and additional informative notes.
Some Blogger Reaction:
'A beautifully crafted story... Tola was strong, compassionate, fierce and more.' @thebwordx
'Naga folklore at its best.' @rammawi
'Namu and Tola's relationship was the beating heart within Spirit Nights.' @labibliobecca
'Kire... has captured the essence of what it is to be human.' @reviewswithmaria
'An immersive story with a touch of magical realism... Spirit Nights will guide you along.' @chrysalis11
Autorentext
Dr Easterine Kire, poet, short story writer and novelist, was born in Kohima, Nagaland, a state in Northeast India. In 1982, she was the first Naga poet in to have her poetry published in English. In 2003, she wrote A Naga Village Remembered, the first Naga novel in English.
Her novel, Bitter Wormwood was shortlisted for the Hindu Lit for Life prize in 2013 and in the same year, she received the Free Voice Award from Barcelona. In 2016, her novel, When the River Sleeps was awarded The Hindu Lit for Life prize.
Easterne Kire holds a PhD in English Literature from Poona University. She performs poetry, delivers lectures on culture and literature, and holds writing workshops in schools and colleges.
'In an extraordinary fury of poems, short stories, histories, novels, and a separate profusion of words and music she calls jazzpoetry, this quietly irrepressible one-woman cultural renaissance has pioneered, nurtured, led and exemplified the modern literary culture of Nagaland, while also establishing herself in the front line of contemporary indigenous literature.' Vivek Menezes, Scroll
'Easterine Kire is the keeper of her people's memory, their griot. She is a master of the unadorned language that moves because of the power of its evocative simplicity.' Prof Emeritus Paul Pimomo
Klappentext
A compelling fable from an award-winning indigenous writer. Drawing on ancient tribal tales from Nagaland, northern India, SPIRIT NIGHTS is an exciting UK debut for Easterine Kire. It tells of a prophecy fulfilled when a number of villages are enveloped in an endless darkness.
'A rich festival of storytelling - playful, poignant and profound. Easterine Kire reimagines marvels for new audiences, shining fresh light on ancient wisdom and revealing truths that have united humanity for centuries. A beautiful read.' Ann Morgan, Reading Around the World
A terrible taboo has been violated in the spirit world. A wise elder feels the village crumble as her people are isolated and frightened. She knows that only through acting with wisdom and courage, and journeying into unknown realms, can the people get the light back.
But who would dare to do that?
Lockdowns, Spirit Visions, Eternal Darkness - Spirit Nights delivers a unique, timely tale from Nagaland.
'To read Easterine Kire is to fall under the spell of an easeful, velvety, pitch-perfect storytelling. This book is especially memorable for a powerful female protagonist whose ageripened wisdom is needed to save a community on the verge of being engulfed and erased by darkness.' - Gayathri Prabhu
Spirit Nights also includes informative notes, and an essay about real 'Dark Time Accounts' - tribal stories of periods when the world tumbles into seemingly endless night time.