Uzodinma Iweala: 2008
Beasts of No Nation
Uzodinma Iweala reads from his critically acclaimed debut novel Beasts of No Nation, which tells the story of Agu, a child soldier fighting in a civil war in an unnamed west African country. In this section we are introduced to Agu, his friend Strika, Luftenant, and Commandante, as Agu kills for the first time.
Luftenant is saying don't think. Just let it happen. He is saying that the second you are stopping to think about it, your head is turning to the inside of rotten fruit. Commandante is saying it is like falling in love. You cannot be thinking about it. You are just having to do it, he is saying, and I am believing him. What else can I be doing?
From KWLS 2008: New Voices. (17:42) / 8.1 MB
To download, right-click here (Mac users: ctrl+click) and choose 'save as'
This recording is being made available for noncommercial and educational use only. All rights to this recorded material belong to the author. © 2008 Uzodinma Iweala. Used with generous permission from Uzodinma Iweala.
4 Comments
Leave a comment
LITTORAL is the year-round online voice of the Key West Literary Seminar. We write about literature, Key West, and the authors who have been or will be part of our annual Seminar. Throughout the year on LITTORAL, you'll find podcasts from our growing audio archives, interviews and book reviews, news about the Seminar, links, commentary, and arcana.
Arlo Haskell is editor-in-chief. Send email to arlohaskell [at] gmail [dot] com.


This book is a nice one, it really shows the qualities and productivity we are as Africans. Keep it up.
I have just read a synopsis of your book and in all reviews it has been named notable. I am looking forward to reading it.
--Thanks for a contribution to great literature
I just read this book for an extra assignment given to me in class and really felt the deep emotions conveyed in Agu. I really enjoyed this reading as well - it helped me connect to the text.
Been away from literature in a long while.Your book has plunged back my interest........
...It just took me back to what i have always loved.