Views and Mechanics Publisher's Note Editor's Note Review of African Psycho Review of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid Film Review of "Judith Butler: Philosophical Encounters of the Third Kind" Writing Contest Results Creative Nonfiction Back Pain...Who Cares? By Michael D. Burg Knit Two Together By Jo L. Gerrard Skin Odyssey By Holly Leigh Jacobson Leaves in the Wind By Molly Molloy Hydroglyphics By Phaedra Greenwood Poetry Indiana Poem By Michael Lee Johnson Inspire Me, Ms. Muse By Tony Zurlo A Poem Forgot By Gabrielle Rabinowitz Yours By Sheila McLaughlin Sikorski Confetti By Alan Girling Correction: Drive Me Home Again By Anne Cammon Fiction Scaffold By Joseph Bathanti For the Taking By Anne Leigh Parrish The Artistic Impulse By Johanna Lipford Justifiable Brew Aside By Barbara Anton Stopping at the DQ By Susan White Cover Art Bright Red By Dee Rimbaud About the Contributors © 2007, River Walk Journal and respective authors and artists. All rights reserved. Do not use or reproduce without permission. River Walk Journal, Inc. Board of Directors Chairman - Elizabeth Ross Vice Chairman - Joseph Koch Secretary/Treasurer - Geri Stock-Ross Editorial Director - Patti Kurtz, DA Literacy Director - Vacant Policy Director - PA State Rep. Jess Stairs Advisory Board Chairman - Patti Kurtz, DA Asst. Chairman - Dan Lachenman, PhD Samuel Hazo Christopher Leland Edwin Yoder Joseph Bathanti Journal Staff Publisher - Elizabeth Ross Editor-In-Chief - Joseph Koch Senior Editor - Patti Kurtz Senior Editor - Neeldhara Misra Copyeditor - Kathy Skaggs Blog Contributing Editor - Maggie Koster Education Blog Contributing Editor - Jordan Wirfs-Brock Publicity Director (PA) - Geri Stock-Ross For information about submissions, visit http://www.riverwalkjournal.org/subs.html. Questions about promotions, subscribers' services, and advertising should be sent to publisher@riverwalkjournal.org. River Walk Journal, Inc. is a non-profit corporation run entirely by volunteers. For information about volunteer opportunities and internships, visit VolunteerMatch. |
Review of African Psycho By Alain Mabanckou Translated by Christine Schwartz Hartley ISBN: 1933368500 The American fascination with serial killers crosses continents in African Psycho, an introspective journey of a would-be murderer. Alain Mabanckou introduces readers to Gregoire Nakobomayo, an orphaned laborer who aspires to infamy through murder and mayhem. The story begins with Nakobomayo’s determination to commit murder, and his self-comparison to Angoualima, a notorious criminal from his neighborhood. The idolatry of Angoualima continues throughout, including visits to the gravesite of this criminal with imagined conversations between Nakobomayo and the criminal’s ghost. In spite of the detestable acts Nakobomayo aspires to do, readers may find themselves rooting for him to reach his goals, if for no other reason because they are continually justified as acts to restore the pride of his neighborhood. African Psycho is a well-written novel that will be useful for courses in abnormal psychology and African studies. If the text will be used in a classroom with any racist students, it may be best for the instructor to carefully review the text before including it – particularly racist students may misinterpret the text to justify their prejudices. The book also contains some sections that could be considered triggers for victims of violence or rape. |