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PRAISE FOR BEFORE THE MANGO RIPENS
"Before the Mango Ripens is a historical novel that avoids predictable oppositions. Its characters’ relationships and internal qualities are complex, its locals speak in indigenous Gbagyi, and its focus is realistic throughout. It depicts an array of individual viewpoints, desires, and motivations, spotlighting the challenges of political self-determination and personal fulfillment with skill." —Foreword Reviews
"Before the Mango Ripens is an ultimately hopeful story about people pushing back against colonialism. It points to the ways in which oppressive systems are harmful to everyone, and might leave readers interrogating their own roles in these systems."—BookBrowse
"Afabwaje Kurian's Before The Mango Ripens is a novel of riveting depth and scope. Lit—as in the conflagration that sets things off and never lets you go, and, yes, as in contemporary parlance meaning excellent—this book is a masterful achievement of craft and soul. This is what you call a tour de force!" —DK Nnuro, author of WHAT NAPOLEON COULD NOT DO
“One of those rare novels that seems to capture the whole world between its covers. Afabwaje Kurian choreographs and cross-cuts among so many elements of language and beliefs, cultures and histories, and she does so on so many scales—from the individual to the familial, the communal to the national, and to the marvelously cosmic as well—and she does all that with such clear-eyed artfulness, elegance, and seriousness, that no summary or paraphrase can approach an adequate description of its riches. Just turn to page one and start reading." —Paul Harding, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of TINKERS
“A beautifully rendered debut novel by a novelist who writes well beyond her years. Afabwaje Kurian’s lyrical prose, original characters and uncompromising storytelling will keep you hooked from start to finish.” —Regina Porter, author of THE TRAVELERS
“What an absolute joy to read: vibrant, immersive, and lyrical…In this tale of the intricacies of faith and identity, Afabwaje Kurian is a keen and elegant observer.” —Claire Lombardo, New York Times bestselling author of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD and SAME AS IT EVER WAS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Afabwaje Kurian is the author of the novel BEFORE THE MANGO RIPENS, which has been shortlisted for the 2025 Aspen Words Literary Prize. She received her MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Her short fiction has been published in McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Callaloo, Crazyhorse, The Bare Life Review, and Joyland Magazine. She's taught creative writing at the University of Iowa, for the International Writing Program, and for The Writer’s Center. Born in Jos, Nigeria, and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland and in Ohio, Afabwaje now divides her time between Washington, DC and the Midwest.
