Murambi: The Book of Bones

This book by Senegalese writer Boubacar Boris Diop deals with the Rwandan genocide from the perspective of Cornelius Uvimana, a Rwandan teacher who returns from exile in Djibouti to come to terms with the genocide and the death of his mother, brother and sister. However, upon his return, Cornelius soon learns that the distinction between victim and perpetrator, innocent and guilty is not as clear cut as he originally thought. Through Cornelius, Diop deals with the role of the writer in dealing with the genocide, to meaning to it, to give names and hopes and dreams to the victims, to "call a monster by its name." A haunting and thought provoking novel.