Voices from Madagascar: An Anthology of Contemporary Francophone Literature/Voix de Madagascar: Anthologie de litterature francophone contemporaine (review)

The anthology Voices from Madagascar is more than just an introduction to Malagasy literature for the English-speaking public. It is in itself a significant contribution to contemporary Malagasy literature. As the editors point out in their introduction to the anthology, one of the major challenges facing written Malagasy literature in the twentieth century has been the dearth of opportunities for publication. Several of the authors featured in this anthology have not been previously published in book format; indeed, many texts have never been published in any format. This anthology thus provides an opportunity for initial publication and wider dissemination of creative texts than is often the case for written creative works produced in contemporary Madagascar.

To start with, Bourgeacq and Ramarasoa offer an informative summary of Malagasy literature from colonial times to the contemporary era. As to be expected in any work that purports to represent modern Malagasy literature, the anthology proper begins with a poem each by the celebrated triumvirate of Rabearivelo, Rabemananjara, and Ranaivo. This section also includes a poem by the poet Dox (1913-78), described as the "great 20th century poet in the Malagasy language" (xiv). Unfortunately, little is known about Dox outside Madagascar because he wrote mostly in Malagasy and his works have not often been translated into other languages. He did, however, publish a volume of poetry in French shortly before his death, hence his inclusion in the anthology.

The substantive section of the anthology is devoted to works of more recent writers and is divided into two parts, one part presenting short stories, the other presenting poetry. The names of some authors featured will be familiar to critics interested in francophone Malagasy literature. These include Jean-Luc Rahaimanana, Jean-Claude Fota, and David Jaomanoro. Other authors are probably known only within literary circles in Madagascar. In style and theme, the works range from those exhibiting the melancholy mood often associated with Malagasy writing in the early twentieth century to the more naturalistic portrayals of the difficult political and economic conditions of life since the mid-1970s. In the tradition of translating Malagasy writing, pioneered by the great Malagasy poet Rabearivelo, and adopted by Clive Wake in his edition of Rabearivelo's poetry, all texts here are presented in the French original accompanied by a translation in English, with the exception of poems by the poet Rado, which appear in French, English, and Malagasy. The first time each author appears in the anthology, his or her texts are preceded by a brief biography. Copious endnotes provide additional information on Malagasy history and customs as a background to the texts. A bibliography of critical, literary, and useful reference works is included at the end. Regrettably, the bibliography does not include critical studies on Malagasy literature published in English in the last twenty years. Nonetheless, Voices from Madagascar is an important reference work, which makes up for the gaps in our knowledge of Malagasy and Indian Ocean literature at this point in time.