Rain and Other Stories

This stellar story collection from prolific Mozambican author Couto, a 2015 Man Booker International Prize finalist, initially appeared shortly after the 1992 end of his country's civil war. It does not, however, dwell on overt violence, instead offering fable-like gems capturing lives hurt and heroic, damaged and enduring. In "Blind Estrelinho," for instance, the title character learns about the world from stubborn guide Gigito, whose sister takes over when he's drafted. She opens her new charge to the possibilities of desire, and he consoles her when terrible news arrives by describing the world as he "sees" it. At a low point, Blind Estrelinho "remained on the side of the road, like a balled-up handkerchief soaked with sadness," and such language stuns throughout. A woman deserted by her husband, a problem child rushing to rescue her father—these are some of Couto's poignant stories.