So exceptionally written that sentences can shine and awe ... Moeng is at her absolute best when she writes into the interior, often deliciously illicit, lives of her women characters.
Moeng paints beautiful vignettes of modern Botswana, exposing readers to communities and traditions of her home country while exploring dichotomies and relational tensions familiar to all readers. Her beautiful, lyrical prose and memorable characters make this collection a delight to read.
There is little drama or fanfare in these stories. Instead, Moeng explores intrapersonal dilemmas and cultural changes by writing about the seemingly banal. In straightforward but elegant prose, full of sensory details, she homes in on scenes of ordinary intimacy ... In particular, Moeng beautifully captures the varied textures of marital relationships ... Quiet but powerful, Call and Response illuminates the complexities of a place and the characters who live there. Most of all, it’s about the messy striving and seeking we all do as we move from childhood into adulthood.
... luminous collection of short stories... deftly juxtaposing the quotidian with the universal ... Moeng... writes with lush, heartfelt intensity that illuminates contemporary Botswana for readers who value complex female characters navigating a rapidly changing world.
Idiomatic phrases add texture to the prose, elegantly describing the characters' lives and their internal conflicts ... A lovely debut brimming with deeply felt and well-rounded stories.
... lyrical and poignant ... Moeng adds to the stunning range of narrative styles ... The author brings insightful prose and a distinctive voice to these layered stories, demonstrating deep knowledge of her characters and care for their worlds. Moeng is a new force in the literary landscape.
