Midnight in the Morgue

Midnight in the Morgue is an anthology of short stories submitted for the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2024. There are two sets of stories: those short-listed, and those workshopped, and both sets are equally excellent. I absolutely love the story that ended up winning (“Bridling” by Nadia Davids) and have re-read it numerous times, but I was struck by how many of the other stories would have been just as deserving of the prize. The stories are both memorable and striking in their individual capacities, and incredibly powerful and rich as a collective. The idea that these tales are somehow bound together having originated from the same continent seems a little silly, and yet, there is a feeling of resonance and interplay between them that is unmistakable. Published by Jacana at the cost of a mere R280 a copy, this is one to add to the year-end gift list for anyone you know who loves short stories.