Random Lines From My Bookshelf (story-reading in times of Covid-19)

Summary

The website content introduces "Random Lines From My Bookshelf," a section started by the author during COVID-19 self-isolation to share beloved authors with fellow readers, featuring a reading from "Afro-Cuban Tales" by Lydia Cabrera.

Abstract

The author of the website has initiated a new segment titled "Random Lines From My Bookshelf" as a response to the global pandemic that has confined people indoors. In this section, the author reflects on their personal bookshelf and decides to share the works of authors they cherish with readers who are also in self-isolation. A particular focus is placed on Lydia Cabrera, a significant Cuban writer, and her book "Afro-Cuban Tales," which was originally published in French in 1936. The stories in this collection are noted for their African roots intertwined with Cuban cultural elements, blending the natural with the supernatural. The author's fascination with the rich tapestry of Afro-Cuban culture is evident as they highlight the essence of Cabrera's stories. An embedded YouTube video provides a reading from the book, allowing readers to experience the tales firsthand.

Opinions

The author expresses a deep appreciation for the works of Lydia Cabrera, emphasizing her importance in Cuban literature.
There is a clear admiration for the way Afro-Cuban culture seamlessly integrates the natural and supernatural within its storytelling traditions.
The creation of the "Random Lines From My Bookshelf" section is presented as a way to connect with and offer solace to readers during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The author's choice to include a YouTube video of a reading suggests a belief in the power of auditory storytelling and its ability to engage an audience beyond the written word.

Random Lines From My Bookshelf (story-reading in times of Covid-19)

My bookshelf

Random Lines from my Bookshelf is a section I started recently. With most of the world staying indoors because of COVID-19, I turned to my books collection and began to ponder which authors I wanted to share with self-isolating, like-minded readers.

The short story I’m reading in the clip below was written by Lydia Cabrera, one of Cuba’s most important writers. The book was first published in France in 1936 with the title “Les Contes Negres de Cuba” (English “Afro-Cuban Tales). As a long-time storyteller I have always been fascinated by the combination of the natural and the supernatural in Afro-Cuban culture. The stories included in Cabrera’s volume are African in origin but Cuban in essence.