Iris Mwanza’s “The Lion’s Den” for Cheche Conversations (virtual)

Iris Mwanza’s debut novel The Lion’s Den is the subject of the latest Cheche’s “Conversations With Authors” on Friday, July 26, 2024. The time will be 8 PM EAT/1 PM ET.

Cheche Books is a Nairobi-based independent Pan-African feminist bookstore, café, and event space, founded by Ubax Abdi in 2020 to make books by African and diaspora writers more affordable and accessible to local readers. Apart from a wide catalogue of books from African and left-leaning writers, one of its biggest draws is its “Conversations With Authors” series. In the series, which is both physical and virtual, audiences get to interact with leading and emerging authors from across the continent. Some already featured have been Stella Nyanzi, Troy Onyango, Irenosen Okojie, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, and many others.

Cheche Books has announced their newest author to be Zambian-American writer Iris Mwanza‘s debut legal thriller The Lions’ Den. Their communication states;

Join us next Friday evening for a special virtual “Conversations with Authors.” We will be discussing Zambian-American writer Iris Mwanza’s debut legal thriller The Lions’ Den. She will be in conversation with Kenyan literary critic and political commentator Njahira Gitahi.

About The Lion’s Den:
When young queer dancer Wilbess “Bessy” Mulenga is arrested by corrupt police, fresh-from-the-village rookie lawyer Grace Zulu takes up his cause in her first pro bono case. Presented with a freshly beaten client, Grace protests to the police and gets barred from accessing Bessy, who then disappears from the system—and the world—without a trace. As she fights for justice for Bessy, Grace must navigate a dangerous world of corrupt politicians, traditional beliefs, and deep-seated homophobia.

With the help of a former freedom fighter and the head of her law firm, who’s rallying for one last fight as AIDS takes its toll on him, Grace brings together a coalition of unions, students, and political opposition to take on the corrupt administration of President Kaunda. But will justice prevail in the face of such overwhelming odds?

Date: 26th July, 2024
Time: 8 PM EAT/1 PM ET

We recommend you follow the Cheche Books Instagram account and join the conversation when it starts.