The Theory of Flight
by Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu

From 2022 Windham Campbell Prize winner Siphiwe Gloria Ndlovu

Book 1 in the City of Kings trilogy

As Imogen Zula Nyoni, also known as Genie, lies immobile in a coma at Mater Dei Hospital, a consequence of a prolonged illness, the impending tragedy of her potential departure hangs heavy on her close-knit circle of family and friends. The tale unveils the enigmatic life of Genie, a being endowed with powers that defy the constraints of time and space, allowing her to weave a rich tapestry of experiences that transcend conventional boundaries.

The narrative intricately intertwines with the vivid tales of her predecessors: Baines Tikiti, a man whose restless spirit and name alterations led him to the waters of the Indian Ocean; Livingstone Stanley Tikiti, who adopted the wartime alias of Golide Gumede and fostered an unyielding fascination with the concept of flight; and the vibrant Elizabeth Nyoni, Golide’s spouse, who embraced a Dolly Parton-inspired persona complete with a signature blonde wig.

Employing a delicate narrative touch enhanced with magical-realist aesthetics, the novel delicately navigates through the historical tapestries of a few families while shedding light on the rich and turbulent history of an unnamed Southern African nation. The journey traverses through vital epochs of the nation’s past: the colonial era, the intense freedom struggle, to the harrowing periods marked by the invasion of the sojas, the devastation brought forth by the HIV virus, and the authoritative reign of "The Man Himself".

With an undercurrent of mystery and a sprinkle of magical elements, The Theory of Flight stands as an honest reflection on the multifaceted ways we prematurely mourn the living, illustrating the heartbreaking process of letting go before the inevitable goodbye.