Exiled writer examines the struggles of the soul
Accomplished writer Edison Yongai launched The War after the War on 6 December, his first book since his manuscripts were burned in the Sierra Leonean war.
The book explores the struggles of Danyima, a man thrust into a world of greed and corruption who fights to maintain his integrity and morality, even his soul.
‘It’s really about the aftermath of the war in my country, but it can also happen in any other country, especially in Africa,’ says Edison. ‘It’s about how people can lose their morals in this sort of society – everything is lost. People are trying to renew their lives – some do it the right way and others do it the wrong way.’
‘So many people do not know about the devastation in Sierra Leone. When we came we started talking about it and people thought it was some fairy tale we were telling. It was the most devastating war in modern times. People’s hands were chopped off. Children’s hands were chopped off. This was done by little boys, they were drugged and given strong liquor and they did not know what they were doing,’ he said.
Edison’s work draws on his experiences living and working as a journalist in Sierra Leone. The first journalist to be imprisoned by the government, Edison spent time in solitary confinement. His home, and manuscripts, were later burned in the guerrilla invasion of Freetown in 1999 and he arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2001.
‘Edison Yongai is a brilliant storyteller and writer, able to bring the complexity of a little-known conflict to an Australian audience,’ said Dr Paula Abood, who will launch The War after the War. ‘This book presents a great opportunity for us to learn about the trauma and destruction of war.’
The launch was sponsored by Auburn Council and Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE). ICE Director Lena Nahlous says: ‘This is an important piece of work, not only because it is the first book that Edison has written since his books were burned in Sierra Leone, but also because this novel gives us an insight, although fictionalised, into the history and struggles of the Sierra Leonean community in Australia. We are very proud to support Edison and this novel, which has the capacity to have an international impact.’
Edison has previously published three books, the novel Who Killed Mohtta? and two children’s books, Check, Come Here and The Birthday Party.
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