CHALLENGING STEREOTYPES

DO people expect a certain kind of story from African writers? And what does ‘too African’ actually mean?

‘I think there’s certainly a predominant narrative the West expects from Africa: the story of coming from absolute gutwrenching poverty, abuse or famine, and someone, usually a Westerner, rescuing you,’ Karen says. ‘Alternatively, there’s the tale of making your way to the West and proceeding to have a “perfect” life.

‘There’s this idea that being in Africa is a constant struggle for survival, and while there’s truth to that in many cases, the same thing can be said for other parts of the world. Africa has a number of stories; it’s rich in diversity.’

Like many of her aha moments, the plot of An Island came to Karen in a dream. ‘It sounds funny, but a crucial part of my strategy is napping. I have a lot of naps! While I nap, ideas come to me; it’s like my brain has a chance to rest and be open to new plot configurations.

‘It was during one of these naps that I had a vision of an old African man alone on an island with a lighthouse and this determined look on his face. He didn’t want anyone to intrude on his land. I woke up and I thought, well, that’s my next novel.

‘This happened in Denmark at a writer’s residency [in 2015]. At the time, there was a lot in the news about the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe. On the one hand you had this extreme xenophobia, and on the other was real humanitarianism. I started thinking about that and the mirroring xenophobia we’d seen in South Africa. That’s how themes of

❛It’s my job to hold a mirror to what I see in society.❜

violence and nationalism also made their way into my novel.’

In the face of such harsh realities, is her novel a hopeful one?

‘I don’t want it to seem like there is no hope. Of course there is, in the form of kind individuals across all races, religions and creeds, as well as incredible NGOs, but I don’t consider it to be my job as a writer to give answers or solutions. It’s my job to hold a mirror to what I see in society. Hopefully my writing will inspire people to interrogate their beliefs about outsiders. We often get trapped in the prison of our own recurring thoughts, and if my book can help people step outside of theirs I’ll consider it a great achievement.’

Is there a reason both protagonists are male? ‘That’s simply how the characters came to me. Initially

I did question whether the refugee should be female, but I decided against it because it would change the dynamic. I wanted Samuel to see the refugee as a threat, to really be afraid of what the refugee represents. I thought a male character would portray that best.’

Having been compared to writers like Margaret Atwood and Nadine Gordimer, Karen’s future as a writer looks assured. But she’s quick to brush off any praise. In fact, she prefers to spend her energy on getting more African writers published. ‘I’m very happy to say that my two publishers and I are launching The Island Prize for a debut novel from Africa; we’re inviting writers from all over the continent (and diaspora) to submit a onepage summary of their novel as well as the first three chapters. The winner will be introduced to an agent and considered for publication.’

To find out more about The Island Prize, send an email to TheIsland@ hhousebooks.com