Afro-Asian Literature

Afro-Asian Literature mirrors not only the customs and traditions of African and Asian countries
but also their philosophy of life which on the whole are deeply and predominantly contemplative and
hauntingly sweet. Afro-Asian Literature is the reflection of the storm and the stress of developing nations
seeking a place under the sun which every student must understand so he may know how this literature
affects the history and culture of a nation.

In a simpler thought, Afro-asian literature refers to the literary output of the various countries and
cultures in Africa and Asia. This includes their oral traditions and from the first to the contemporary written
and/or published prose and poetry.

As part of the high school curriculum in the Philippines, Afro Asian Literature is taught specifically to
sophomores. I assume including the public schools, but for sure the privileged students have this and are
using Gems in Afro-Asian Literature textbook. Asian Literature alone is diverse and vibrant. Add to that
the splendor of African Literature, and you get enriching Afro Asian Literature.

There are some of reading list:

A J ar of Dreams
By Yoshika Uchida
(a story about a family that lives in San Francisco, California circa 1930`s; having problems paying the
bills; and fueled by their aspirations, they made it thru the hardships. "don't give up your hopes and
dreams".

The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
(about Afghan Amir and his personal belief system that's unique from that of his dominant culture; about
friendship and interpersonal conflicts; set in Afghanistan and the US, illustrates the similarities as well as
the differences between the 2 countries and its very different cultures; "a story of fathers and sons, of
friends and brothers, of right and wrong and the nature of evil."

Hardboiled and Hard Luck
By Banana Yoshimoto, Michael Emmerich (Translator)
(two "long short stories", as I call them, about death and life and moving on; hardboiled is a ghost story,
set in the woods and a hotel on the anniversary of the narrator's roommate/lover's death.; hard luck is
about a woman whose sister is dying, set at the time when the family has found out nothing can be done
for her and are just waiting for the inevitable end. unbearably sad at times, but hopeful and warm.

The J oy Luck Club
By Amy Tan
(four Chinese American immigrant families forming a club playing mahjong; mothers and daughters and
families losing and finding each other across cultural boundaries; it's jampacked with passion, emotion
and love arising from family interactions. definitely a very good read.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
or
Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World
by Haruki Murakami
his books are wonderfully odd reads; unique and frustrating; gets you thinking; imaginative; strange;
creating something indescribable, yet satisfying; the unbelievable creatively intertwined with the everyday
mundaneness; mostly not linear or sensible, so don't try to analyze, just let it flow and be open to the
oddities that it offers. use right brain thinking when reading his works.)