In the Belly of the Queen Edited by Lizzi Linklater and on the major African

and on the major African poets Niyi Osundare

a neurasthenic and aspiring author

Sankar’s professional expertise is tested to the full

and moments of realised and imaginary passion are concentrated into cameos and carbuncles – ‘glimmering tokens of memory’

It explores the meaning of movement in oppressive ideological structures and serves to vindicate the rebellious acts of black women past

In the Belly of the Queen Edited by Lizzi Linklater and on the major AfricanAmal shocks the whole neighbourhood by beating up her classmate Younes. Her father defends her behaviour and encourages her to assert herself. From then on everyone avoids Amal and then her father leaves. Searching in vain for an explanation, Amal finds refuge with Younes and his mother Shahira, both outsiders like her. Years later, when the situation comes to a head and the conflict with Raffiqs gang escalates, Amal flees to Kurdistan to look for her