One World: A global anthology of short stories Paperback – May 1, 2009

One World cleary displays the talents of the greatest authors of this century. I enjoyed every single story in this book and was able to expand my list of international authors that I need to add to my library. I promise, if you love short stories you will surely enjoy this book to the max.

In Leng Lui is for Pretty Lady, by Elaine Chiew, the character, Alina, received an English Lit degree from a university in Manila. Yet she works in Tokyo as a maid for the wealthy Kong’s. She is focused on supporting her family and returning home to Manila. The Kong’s, parents of two children, are estranged in their household. When Mrs. Kong is not savoring White Russians, she’s having a torrid affair with the young man in the Chinese medicinal shop. Mr. Kong, a banker, chats with, slobbers, and tongues a turnip that sits atop his nightstand. Drama begins at the Kong household when Mrs. Kong, on impulse, takes a 10 day holiday to Phuket with her lover. In the conclusion, the Kong’s realize that Alina is the cohesive force in their family.I loved some of Chiew’s expressions “…his tongue is a lizard peeping through a crack in a dry wall,” or “…curls on the floor like dried shrimp.” Written in first person, the author successfully created tension, mystery, and humor.Another favorite is Kelemo’s Woman by Molara Wood, the character, Iriola, a university grad, had lived with her lover, activist, Kelemo, for four years. When a coup took place, once again, Kelemo wanted to fight for political and social change. But Iriola had grown tired of hiding and living underground. As her mother lay dying in hospital she tried to convince Iriola that Kelemo couldn’t help a country in its death throes. She advised Iriola: “Allow yourself to be pulled down by no one; I mean no one.” When Kelemo escaped, Iriola was caught and arrested by the army. Iriola decided to protect herself and not look back. Feminine wiles could be a necessary consequence. “Without your mother, the person to watch over you, is you.” Iriola always obeyed her mother.In Martina A. Ramos’ Way of the Machete, the negativity of machoism is displayed. In a mortal battle, a family man with strong, masculine pride, takes on the town’s bully.Dipita Kwa’s The Honor of Woman reveals the literal truth in the proverb “you reap what you sow,” in the story, a mother and daughter face up to the consequences of their actions.The kettle on the Boat, Vanessa Gebbie writes about the crisis with climate change and how it impacts the food chain resulting in an Inuit family relinquishing their eldest daughter. The author evokes a keen sense of sadness in the child’s description and confusion about the family leaving their home.Other short stories expressed: The disgraceful persecution and abuse of albinos in Africa. The pressures on husbands to be the primary earner and their diminished status in their own country, as well as in immigrant families abroad. Immigrant families experiencing culture shock. Fears concerning children’s loss of their language, family traditions, ire and dismay at children’s untoward lifestyles, marital and family estrangement, and immigrants that develop stable marriages and families in a new environment.The stories I commented on were my favorites. I gave this book four stars.

I was looking for something different to read on the train. I like that each story is by a different author from a different country. Very good read so far. Plus, all the author's royalties go to Doctors without Borders, so I can feel good about that!

Chimamanda's name is listed as the drawing card for this book, which makes sense: who wouldn't immediately reach for a book containing a short story written by the young woman who had already written written 2 major novels before the age of 30, one of them a chef d'oeuvre, a masterpiece of literature? But the other stories by other young(-ish) authors are just as strong, just as compelling, and make this book a real delight, an adventure of discovery.

I gave it 3 stars because only half of the stories did I feel were written exceptionally well. The others didn't make sense or ended in a strange place. The Nigerian stories were my favourites and I'd recommend this book to someone interested in learning about other cultures.

some of the stories are sad and a little confusing but overall well written and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the last story because I see myself in it

While the stories included in this book are all good, it's a bit falsely labeled: not a single writer from Central or South America is included, and the only writer with East Asian roots--Sequoia Nagamatsu--attended Grinnell College in Iowa, got his MFA at Southern Illinois, and now teaches at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He did live in Japan for a couple years, so he's a great example of international hybridity, but still....The stories included are mainly from African and South Asian writers -- and as far as it goes, it's a good collection. But to skip at least one whole continent doesn't seem "Global" to me.

It's been really enriching to read this collection of short stories all from different writers from different nationalities. I'll read some of them to my Level 4 students to get to know about other people's beliefs and traditions.