Floor 9 of Mariam Akabor

by Mariam Akabor 9th floor is a collection of 11 short stories that explores the loves, lives, and troubles of a South African Indian community living in a dilapidated old building called AK Mansions.

The book is set in the center of Durban, which is a coastal city in KwaZulu Natal, a province in South Africa. “Amidst the hustle and bustle of city life, the tenants of AK Mansions are never short of excitement, drama, or pain,” reads the synopsis on the back cover.

the stories in 9th floor it is based on universal moments that most people can relate to, even as they learn about a life immersed in a different culture.

The book uses many local dialects, giving the stories a unique and sometimes colorful flavor. The stories are also short, with the plot moving forward very quickly. Some of them leave you wanting to know what happens next beyond the pages.

for example in Latif’s mother, we meet a moody woman whose son moved away to get away from her. Even as she yelled at the local kids to chase them away, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Given the opportunity, would she change? Or was she doomed to alienate her family and potential allies?

Then there is Fatima, in A.K. Mansions, whose life has just taken a turn for the better. She has a new job, is about to move into a new apartment, and is looking forward to a visit from her mother. However, it turns out that life is about to deal him a very nasty hand.

the paqui it comes too close to the shame of SA: the zenophobia of its citizens against non-European immigrants. The story revolves around a bias that “if he’s Pakistani, of course he sells pirated DVDs. That’s what these people do.” The story was not a comfortable look in the mirror, especially given South Africa’s recent history.

I suspect that teenagers all over the world can identify Feroz, the main character of All about the money. fierce is destined for a safe, well-paid job that does not affect their interests or passions. He tries to explain to his father that he wants to be a chef, not an accountant or an engineer. But his dream career is dismissed as a teenage stage that he will outgrow.

9th floor was prescribed as secondary reading for secondary schools in the KwaZulu Natal province of South Africa, and for good reason. But the book is more than a must read.

It’s a fun read, to be enjoyed by teens and adults alike. The book is also a good place to start if you or your teen are not yet a fan of the short fiction form.