In Times of Pandemic

An anthology by the Goethe Institut

148 p. • 2023 • ISBN 978-99945-76-82-1 • 148 x 210 mm • Namibia Scientific Society/Kuiseb Publishers

This collection of thirteen short stories distilled from a competition call-out from the Goethe Institute Windhoek to share experiences of lockdown and the pandemic through creative writing, is both wide-ranging and thought-provoking.
The issues dealt with include psychological trauma, identity, disruption to family life, sexual abuse, loss, fear, and grief but also endurance, hope and coming through stronger. Many of the stories are written from a young female perspective, and it is as though the reader is allowed to page through an intimate journal. Two genre fiction stories further enrich the experience of good and evil during the pandemic.
This anthology gives a deep insight into the loss and grief experienced by individuals and families during the pandemic in Namibia, and yet there is a sense of survival against the odds, renewed identity and resilience.—An enjoyable showcase of the raw talent of several new authors in Namibia alongside the sophisticated writing of experienced authors.