Books they read: Daniel Nuwamanya
Daniel Nuwamanya is a lawyer turned advertiser at Maad Advertising in Kamwokya. He writes a blog, urban legend Kampala.com, and he is a member of Lantern Meet of Poets
Which are the five favourite books that you have in your shelf?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X which I read when I was at the University (Uganda Christian University, Mukono). I was trying to find myself. Long Hard Road Out of Hell by Marilyn Manson and Neil Strauss; I agree a lot with what Manson says because it coincides with my belief that you have to think for yourself instead of letting religion or politics do that for you. The Oxford Book of English Verse edited by Christopher Ricks. This is a compilation of great English poets including John Keats, Shakespeare, T.S. Eliot, Allan Poe, and Walter De La Mare. There is good use of English language, and sonnet devices. The Dark Tower is a series of books written by American author Stephen King, which incorporates themes from multiple genres, including fantasy, science fantasy, and horror. And, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. The book is about dreams, symbols, and signs that people must follow. For me it was about spiritual examination, life and its purpose and trusting in omens.
What is your favorite quote?
“ I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan- like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.” Henry David Thoreau, one of the greatest philosophers.
Which writer would you like to meet?
I would like to meet Marilyn Manson for writing Long Hard Road Out of Hell which cemented my belief that in life we are responsible for our decision and we are also responsible for our destiny. There is no bad moral only what we see as relevant. It’s up to us (people) to decide our morality.
Which writers influenced you in anyway?
Charles Dickens tells compassionate human stories, description and humor in his books. My belief in life has been built by Mark Twain, John le Carré, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson whose ideologies transcend humanity, society, culture, religion. We should not be defined by society, culture and religion but we should define them in our life. In contemporary Uganda, Ernest Bazanye’s blog is witty, and relevant to the situation in Uganda.
Who is your favourite character?
George Smiley is a fictional character created by John le Carré. Smiley is an intelligence officer working for the British overseas intelligence agency. He is a central character in the novels: Call for the Dead; A Murder of Quality; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy; The Honourable Schoolboy; and Smiley’s People. I love his intelligent approach to solving problems.
How do you decide which book to read?
I look at the name of the author and flip through to see if the book will add to my views and perception of life. I don’t read for pleasure. I like books that teach me lessons about life and the human condition.
Which books are you reading?
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, I have heard a lot about the book and want to read it.
