We want you to tell us: Have you read any good books lately?
30 November 2015
PHIL FITZPATRICK
A short while ago I wrote an article about the differences between so-called ‘literary fiction’ and ‘popular fiction’ and pointed out that much of what is being written with Papua New Guinean themes tends to fall into the former category.
I wondered whether Papua New Guinean readers would be happy with books that tended to be ‘deep and meaningful’ or whether they sometimes preferred to be simply entertained.
I pondered, for instance, how many Papua New Guinean readers had read Drusilla Modjeska’s critically acclaimed book, The Mountain, compared with, say, books by Papua New Guinean writers like Francis Nii, Baka Bina, Emmanuel Peni or, indeed, my own Inspector Metau books.
In Australia it is fairly easy to work out the type of books people are reading because the major newspapers and literary journals regularly publish bestseller lists.
Mind you, those lists are sometimes disconcerting. Australians read both literary and popular fiction but they also read what can only be called unadulterated rubbish. Sometimes cookery and diet books top the lists. More recently, adult colouring-in books have been up there too! Thankfully that sort of garbage is usually short-lived.
But how do we know what Papua New Guineans are reading? We don’t even know where they get the books they read.
Maybe these are questions worth asking.
There was some feedback in response to the earlier article, but it was pretty patchy.
So if you are a reader and have got a bit of spare time, maybe you’d like to let us know what you are reading.
And, if you like, give us an idea of what you’d like to read if you could get your hands on it. Or which authors you’d like to read more of if you had the chance.
It is straightforward, just add a comment to this article using the link below.
You never know, it might be useful information for publishers or, heaven forbid, the PNG government.
And if you aren’t currently reading anything perhaps you could tell us why. Is it because there is nothing around that suits your taste or is it because you just can’t get copies of what you would like to read?
Maybe you could tell us about what the problems are with getting hold of suitable books to read in Papua New Guinea. Is it because books are too expensive or is it because you don’t have access to alternate resources, like the internet, to obtain books? Or is it simply because you don’t have a credit card to pay for online books?
Maybe if none of those things is a problem you could tell us about some of your favourite books and why they appealed to you. Are there any books that you would recommend to other Papua New Guinean readers?
Are there any other issues I’ve missed?
We are all ears!
I am eclectic in my choice of reading. I read a bit of philosophy, politics, inspirational literature and anything that stretches my literary horizons.
I also read PNG Attitude to get an insight on what is happening in the nation. Currently I am reading the biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.
Posted by: Simon Davidson | 05 November 2019 at 03:56 PM
'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe, Heinemann Guided Readers, reprinted 1976
____________
This pocket book version was a cancelled-from-circulation book from St Mary CBC. Their loss has been been my luck and gain. This book was borrowed only three times in 15.3 85., 8.3.85 and 5.4.90 before I bought it from a second hand shop at Badili.
I have three other versions of the same book at home but this pocket version is small and it is always in my bag all the time. While I have read the book over so many times I still refer to it often when I have a writing block.
Chinua Achebe has a writing style that I can relate to, though I don't copy it.
I am sending an e-copy of my pre-published copy of 'Man of Calibre' to Francis Nii. It is unfortunate that someone took it from him. Whilst on a duty trip there in Kundiawa, I visited him briefly and gave him that copy.
Posted by: Baka Bina | 05 November 2019 at 02:00 PM
I read Phil Fitzpatrick's "The Floating Island" last week. Although set in the 1940's, I enjoyed the story.
I prefer books that relate to Third World realities like struggles, poverty and 'rags to riches' kind of stories.
Science fiction and detective stories are not my cup of tea.
Posted by: Jordan Dean | 04 November 2019 at 04:57 PM
I was part of the research associates team that assisted Paula Glick Brown to produce "Beyond the Mountain Valley", perhaps her last book before she died.
Both Paula Brown and Bill Standish lived at Mindima among the Narku tribe.
The time for foreign anthropologists, ethnographers, linguists, sociologists and researchers has gone.
We need to take on board our own responsibility, for there are so many things to research and write.
Posted by: Philip Kai Morre | 03 November 2019 at 09:48 PM
"Kissim Savvy" by Rita Lowther is a story that will capture the reader’s interest from cover to cover in a combination of hilarity and sadness that makes it a journey with no holds barred.PNG
http://www.lulu.com/shop/rita-lowther/kissim-savvy/ebook/product-22504709.html
Posted by: Julie Hopper | 04 January 2016 at 04:57 PM
Arnold, My address is
Daniel Kumbon
Department of Enga Administration
Media and Information Technology
P. O. Box 109
WABAG
Enga Province
Looking forwards to getting your book.
Cheers
Posted by: Daniel Ipan Kumbon | 07 December 2015 at 05:25 PM
Valley above the Clouds is one other book written by the Harkness sisters who were former residents of Mt Hagen in the 1960s that I enjoyed. The book made me reflect on where PNG was heading if we had not attained independece. After reading the book I knew independence came too early. I have yet to read Take Neccessary Action by these two sisters.
Other PNG books are hard to find. But I am sure they can be found at the UPNG bookshop.
Posted by: Arnold Mundua | 07 December 2015 at 03:30 PM
Daniel, I will definitely keep an eye out for Eric Campbell's books. Acquiring good reading books is a problem in Simbu but I hope to find your recommended title in a secondhand bookshops.
I promised you copies of my books last September, if you are still interested you can post your mailing address. Iriani, you can also post your mailing address for a copy of Elep Returns.
Posted by: Arnold Mundua | 07 December 2015 at 03:04 PM
Arnold Mundua, I recommend you read Eric Campbell's Gorilla Dawn. Its about a daring escape during the Hutu and Tutsi conflict in Rwanda. Its fiction of course but based on historical fact.
I watch out for The Shark Callers which he also wrote when he lived in PNG. Other books by Eric Campbell are The Year of the Leopard Song and Elephant Gold.
I enjoyed Gorilla Dawn because its simply written and easy to understand.
Posted by: Daniel Ipan Kumbon | 07 December 2015 at 07:37 AM
I am not an avid reader but when i do chance upon a book i read nonfiction or fiction based on facts. This includes memoirs and autobiographies.
More recently I completed Wild Swans by Jung Chang. I recommend this book to anyone interested to know more about the Chinese past.
I have also read autobiographies of Dean Knootz, Elizabeth Taylor and memior by James Michener titled, The World Is My Home.
In fiction I remain glued to John Gresham books. More recently I completed reading The Testament. James Michener books are my favourite. I read The Covenant, Alaska, Poland and Cheshipike by this great author. His epic and panoramic plots are my main attraction to his work.
At the local scene I read Ignatius Kilage's My Mother Calls me Yaltep and To Serve with Love by Sir Paulias Matane. The latter book was the source of my inspiration to take up writing as a hobby. More recently Ihave read Remember Me, My Struggle and allthe anthologies.
Posted by: Arnold Mundua | 06 December 2015 at 05:04 PM
The UPNG Bookshop is packed to the rafters because they had their storage space taken off them and had to move it all into the shop.
All the general PNG stuff is crammed into a tiny room off the main store.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 04 December 2015 at 08:24 AM
Thank you, Michael. I'm now looking forward to my first visit to the UPNG Bookshop! I've been meaning to go there since last year but never got a chance to during the times I was POM.
Posted by: Iriani Wanma | 03 December 2015 at 11:49 PM
Iriana - UPNG Bookshop was packed to the rafters when I was there last. There is standing room only for the staff.
I don't know if this means you'll find the book your after but there are sure to be many others of interest.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 03 December 2015 at 06:47 PM
This is fascinating stuff.
It seems Papua New Guineans are opportunistic readers - whatever is available at the time.
I get withdrawal symptoms if I haven't got anything to read for more than a day. The situation in PNG would drive me nuts.
No trends I can recognise yet.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 03 December 2015 at 05:44 PM
Currently Im starting on the Sigma Protocol by Robert Ludlum however of all the novels that I have read my favourite author is John Grishem which I am building a little collection of his books... I have read a number of his books including The Firm, Pelican Brief, The Painted House and my favourite The Client, I am always on the lookout for his books at Madang's Kalibobo Second Hand Clothing Shop.
On much more serious note John Pilger's The New Rulers of the World is still at the top of my list.
And right at home two of the first books that I ever read written by Papua New Guineans were Sana Sir Michaeal Somare's autobiography and The Crocodile by Vincent Eri, both still remain my favourites.
Other PNG writers that I have read and loved their work were A brides Price by Arnold Mundua and if there is one book that I would recommend to other Papua New Guineans is Tabu by Moses Maladina, a beautifully told story on how life was like in Colonial Port Moresby interwoven with illicit romance and love..
Posted by: Jack Klomes | 03 December 2015 at 04:24 PM
I finished Gifted Hands by Ben Carson and I'm currently reading The Diary of Anne Frank. The Harry Potter series is on my list among other books.
I want to read The Crocodile by Vincent Eri, Wanpis, and Maiba by Russell Soaba. Where can I buy The Crocodile, Wanpis, and Maiba in PNG? Are there any copies at the UPNG Bookshop? Russell Soaba has an incomplete novel called The Final Islands in the Sun on his blog 'Soaba's Storyboard' - that's on my reading list, too. The latest chapter is the ninth chapter which he published in Feb this year. I also want to read Elep Returns by Arnold Mundua.
Posted by: Iriani Wanma | 03 December 2015 at 02:30 PM
The Pomong U'Tau of Dreams (Leonard Fong Roka): bought on Amazon and read once through and favourites again occasionally.
Moments in Bougainville (Leonard Fong Roka): bought on Amazon, skimmed through while on holiday, need to read.
Transitions and Transformations - Literature, Politics and Culture in Papua New Guinea (Steven Edmund Winduo): bought on Amazon. Read Chapter 4: Constructing Indigenous Poetics - fascinating stuff on Natachee, Tawali, Waisi and Soaba.
Two White Feet (The Memoirs of Alan Robertson Quartermain): Signed copy given to me by the author, who is a mentor of mine - started folowing him from New Zealand to Zambia and Iowa...I'm still following the foot prints.
Eating Animals (Jonathan Safran Foer): bought at duty free shop: A book of philosophy waiting for my congregation.
Farmageddon - The True Cost of Cheap Meat (Phillip Lymberry and Isabel Oakeshott): bought at duty free shop: skimmed and placed on reading shelf.
(Note-to-self: buy books not bourbon at duty free)
(Note-to-other: most times the bourbon is better)
And of course all the Crocodile Prize Anthologies 2011 to 2015, from Amazon by express mail.
Omnivorous diet but cannot commit too much time to reading other than work stuff.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 03 December 2015 at 01:22 PM
I like reading Readers Digest magazines and books like 'People in Peril, Watch Tower, Air Niugini’s Paradise Magazine, The Post Courier and The National ‘Weekend Magazines’ and other such magazines which contain travel, adventure and educational stories and human experiences.
Most fairy tales and legends from PNG and abroad..
As for books, I like to read novels like King Solomon’s Mines, Ivanhoe, Robinson Crusoe, Kidnapped, Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Cry, the beloved country, Robin Hood, etc etc.., autobiographies of people, adventure stories, war stories etc...
As for PNG books, I have read 40 years of marriage by Sir Paulias Matane, Vincent Ere’s ‘The Crocodile (twice), Sir Ignatius Kilage’s Yaltep, Roka’s ‘Bokenville’, Agwal’s ‘My Struggle, Nii’s ‘Resonance of My Thoughts’, Bob’s ‘Big Road’, Graham Taylor’s ‘A Kiap’s story’, S. Dorney’s A Brief History of New Guinea etc.. Right now, I am reading Inspector Metau. Most other PNG books are not easily accessible.
Please recommend other books I can search for in our small second hand bookshop here in Wabag..
Posted by: Daniel Ipan Kumbon | 03 December 2015 at 11:40 AM
I have many, recently I finished Bob Cleland, The Big Road and now since I am doing some Drought work, I am reading a ANU Published book; ACAIR PROCEEDINGS No. 99. FOOD SECURITY FOR PNG. The "Floating Island" seems a book I should read. Francis, mi kam kisim.
Posted by: mathias kin | 03 December 2015 at 11:08 AM
I am reading 'Beyong a Mountain Valley - The Simbu of Papua New Guinea' by Paula Brown at the moment.
I already read 'Paradise in Peril'.
I have two of Phil's books (Inspector Matau & Bamahuta Papua) and one of Leonard Fong, but have yet to read them.
I have alot of books in my collection but have limited time.
Posted by: Kela Kapkora Sil Bolkin | 03 December 2015 at 09:10 AM
I haven't read it and it went missing, Ed. So I can't make any comment.
Posted by: Francis Nii | 03 December 2015 at 08:14 AM
I'd be interested to know what you thought of Man of Calibre, Francis ...
Posted by: Ed Brumby | 03 December 2015 at 07:37 AM
At the moment I am reading spy thriller Snakehead by Anthony Horowitz that was given to me by my daughter Cheryl, an avid reader. She has the aptitude for hunting for books in the secondhand shop's and Snakehead was her lucky find.
I suspect she is the one who removed Baka Bina's The Man of Calibre from my small cupboard near my bed. Good luck to her.
Recenlty I read Jimmy Awagl's My Journey and Philip Kai's Drugs and Their Dangers in PNG (proof copy).
Prior to those, I completed The Floating Island by Phil Fitzpatrick and started on the The Big Road by Bob Cleland, the only copy that SWA has but didn't complete it as it had to be included in SWA's collections filling up the new display self in the Tribes at Mt Whilhelm Tourist Hotel.
I like reading spy and detective thrillers however, if there is anything written by Papua New Guineans or about PNG available, I go for it before others.
Posted by: Francis Nii | 02 December 2015 at 03:14 PM