Summer Reading Book Recommendations: Glory, and the Booker Prize

From Liz Kavanaugh, Digital Systems Informationist, Geisinger Health Sciences Library

Rarely have I ever picked up a book solely because of its status as an “award winner.”  The Booker Prize, however, has been the exception to my rule since 2017, and continues with the 2022 shortlisted title, Glory by Noviolet Bulawayo.  

Set in the fictional African land of Jidada, a nation of animals is in the throes of a coup to oust their country’s decades-long leader, the Father of the Nation, Old Horse, and his Seat of Power.  Cows, cats, sheep, bulls, ducks, donkeys, goats, horses, pigs, chickens, peacocks, geese, and dogs all have their moments to shine in the restoration of democracy to their nation, but none is as central to recounting the narrative for independence as Destiny, a young goat returning from exile, who offers a lens of female empowerment in the heart of a revolution.

Written by Bulawayo as an allegorical, political satire based on the downfall of Robert Mugabe, Glory also speaks to her roots growing up in Zimbabwe.  The humor and intelligence of Glory – creatively expressed through the experiences of her anthropomorphized characters – personally connect readers not just to one historical response to tyranny, but to oppressive experiences everywhere. 

The Booker Prize is awarded annually to English-language novels published in the United Kingdom.  Please visit your local public library to check out Glory, other Booker Prize winners, and more!