Broken Glass Book Cover

Broken Glass


A Literary Fiction Novel


Subgenres:

  • Satire,
  • Congo,
  • Bar Stories
Buy from Amazon

This book is for you if you're into...

  • Barroom storytelling where everyone wants to control the narrative
  • Satirical takes on self-delusion and unreliable memory
  • Literary riffs that blend African and Western classics
Publisher Description

Alain Mabanckou's riotous new novel centers on the patrons of a run-down bar in the Congo. In a country that appears to have forgotten the importance of remembering, a former schoolteacher and bar regular nicknamed Broken Glass has been elected to record their stories for posterity.

But Broken Glass fails spectacularly at staying out of trouble as one denizen after another wants to rewrite history in an attempt at making sure his portrayal will properly reflect their exciting and dynamic lives. Despondent over this apparent triumph of self-delusion over self-awareness, Broken Glass drowns his sorrows in red wine and riffs on the great books of Africa and the West.

Brimming with life, death, and literary allusions, Broken Glass is Mabanckou's finest novel — a mocking satire of the dangers of artistic integrity.

More Alain Mabanckou

Follow This Author

Sign up & we'll email you when a new title is available for pre-order or hits the bookshelf

Little Stacks of Modern & Literary Fiction

Get Free & Discounted eBooks

Curated reads, irresistible prices—subscribe now

Add this book to your To Be Read list

Sign up to build your personal library

Archive This Book

Sign up to build your personal library