Books they read with Olivia Kaguliro Mulerwa

Olivia Kaguliro Mulerwa is a storyteller masquerading as commercial lawyer and would like to be a writer when she grows up. She spoke to Beatrice Lamwaka about her passion for books.

Why do you read books?
I read because I believe that literary fiction may be the most accurate account of history as it’s often written with no political agenda. In any case, writers of fiction rarely present themselves as some kind of authority. There are many varied versions of any one story and the truth is probably a combination of all of them. I read because books offer great insights into the human psyche. Sometimes it’s because seeing yourself mirrored in a character however fictional helps you understand yourself better. I have read some of my favorite books so many times that the characters are such a real part of my life now. I often find myself reflecting on their thoughts and feelings beyond the story.

What have you benefited from reading books?
Poet and novelist Ben Okri, I think, said; ‘Have one or two authors that are important, that speak to you; and make their works your secret passion’. For me that would be C.S Lewis both his pre and post Christian work. For an adult to indulge their imagination so much as to invent a whole other world is so cool. I also love The Screwtape Letters which for me has become the solution to all my faith questions including its alternating presence and absence. My best read of 2010 was Dave Egger’s What is the What because it made me realise that all this time I had been completely ignorant to the suffering the people of Southern Sudan and yet they are right next door to us. It made me very ashamed and hopefully more conscious of the world around me.
Which books kept you awake at night?
Arundati Roy’s The God of Small Things was definitely my best read of 2011. When I was reading it I hated having to go to work and I dreamt about the characters when I went to bed. Recently I totally enjoyed Zadie Smith’s White Teeth. I think she describes some of the most unforgettable characters I have ever met.

Who are your favourite characters?
Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery is my favourite character of all time. She is an idealistic and optimistic young adult convinced of the inherent goodness in everyone and determined to do her bit to improve the world around her.

A friend once told me long ago that I reminded him of her and when I read the book I thought it was the best compliment I have ever received. As a romantic, I admire the love that Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte) has for Mr Rochester. It is so pure and so real. An unattractive heroine and a troubled man with a complicated past, I can’t think of a more compelling love story.

Which books didn’t you enjoy reading?
I hate self help in general because I think it’s presumptuous for any one person to think they have the answer to anything. I think people should just tell their stories and allow the reader to draw whatever lessons they may. I tried once to read Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and it felt like a huge punishment. I decided it’s easier to just pretend I have read it if it ever comes up in conversation.

Which Ugandan books have you read?
I read and enjoyed Moses Isegawa’s Abyssinian Chronicles. I also found Mary Karooro’s The Official Wife okay but not great, I hear Cassandra by Violet Barungi is pretty good but I am yet to find out.

I heard so much about Doreen Baingana’s Tropical Fish but when I finally read it, I was somewhat disappointed. It mostly read like the first draft of a would be good story. One or two stories did move me to tears though.