ABIGAIL GEORGE is a South African author, poet and playwright. Novelty Fiction published two of her short stories and her most recent book.
“When Bad Mothers Happen” exquisitely captures the profound impact of a loveless childhood on Abigail’s life and authorship. Through a symphony of narrative, poetic prose, and streams of consciousness, the novel weaves a powerful tapestry of abandonment’s consequences. It paints a haunting portrait of mental health struggles, the pursuit of ill-fated liaisons with older men, and an escape into the refuge of fantasy. A masterful roman à clef, it resonates with raw, unfiltered emotion and piercing insight.
VIVIENNE KAPKARICH is a Kenyan Poet. Novelty Fiction published her collection of poems “Eminent Desire,” now in its second edition (illustrated).
The opening poem “Shield” poignantly delves into the author’s profound loss of her mother at the tender age of eight. This transformative event subtly infuses the entire collection, shaping her worldview. The elevated style gracing many of the poems serves as a poignant reminder of life’s preciousness. Through its nuanced characterizations, the work illuminates how interactions with others can evoke deep emotions, both joyful and sorrowful. The interplay of security and fear emerges as a vital theme, perhaps rooted in that early childhood trauma. This collection, imbued with personal resonance, stands as a compelling “poetry à clef.”
TERESA YEGO is a Kenyan Poet. Novelty Fiction published her collection of poems “The African Doll” (illustrated).
In the opening poem, the narrator recounts a harrowing assault by her older brother at the age of eight, a trauma that turned her into an “African doll.” This chilling incident foreshadows the deeper violence and dysfunction that pervades her family. As we navigate through the collection, we encounter an author determined to exorcise the ghosts haunting her past. She lays everything bare—partying, drugs, alcohol, casual sex, mental health struggles, beauty, and romance—all intricately woven into the fabric of her childhood experiences. This collection stands as a raw and evocative “poetry à clef,” where every verse echoes with personal truth and a quest for catharsis.
(c) 2024 by Novelty Fiction