The Villain’s Dance by Fiston Mwanza Mujila

Gloucester Road Books presents the multi-award-winning writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, and his acclaimed translator, Roland Glasser, who will be discussing Fiston’s latest novel, The Villain’s Dance, with chair for the evening, Prof. Ruth Bush.

Winner of numerous prizes and renowned for his dexterous storytelling technique, Fiston’s work is characterised by an electrifying mix of, amongst other things: political turbulence, individual and collective perseverance, daring narrative manoeuvres, flashes of humour and a love of music, particularly jazz.

Here’s more on The Villain’s Dance from its publisher, leading indie press, And Other Stories:

Zaire. Late 90’s. Mobutu’s thirty-year reign is tottering. In Lubumbashi, the stubbornly homeless Sanza has fallen in with a trio of veteran street kids led by the devious Ngungi. A chance encounter with the mysterious Monsieur Guillaume seems to offer a way out . . .

Meanwhile in Angola, Molakisihas joined thousands of fellow Zairians hoping to make their fortunes hunting diamonds, while Austrian Franz finds himself roped into writing the memoirs of the charismatic Tshiamuena, the “Madonna of the Cafunfo Mines." Things are drawing to a head, but at the Mambo de la Fête, they still dance the Villain’s Dance from dusk till dawn.

‘Mujila’s virtuosic narrative shifts, feverish magical realism, and dizzying chronological leaps make for an intoxicating reading experience. This complex tale bears exquisite fruit.’
— Publishers Weekly

‘Fiston Mwanza Mujila… writes novels and poetry that move to an infectious, syncopated rhythm. His latest work, The Villain’s Dance, especially revels in this spirit.’
— New York Times