Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Singing Away the Hunger
Biography & Memoir· Lesotho

Singing Away the Hunger

by Mpho Matsepo Nthunya
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1996English
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Few works of biography & memoir have earned the sustained critical attention that Singing Away the Hunger (1996) by Mpho Matsepo Nthunya continues to receive. Singing Away the Hunger is a compelling memoir that chronicles the life of Mpho Matsepo Nthunya, offering a vivid account of her experiences in Lesotho. The book provides a unique perspective on the cultural and social dynamics of the region, highlighting issues such as poverty, tradition, and the role of women in society. Nthunya's narrative is both personal and universal, making it a significant contribution to African literature. Themes of poverty, tradition, women's roles run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorMpho Matsepo Nthunya
Published1996
Country of Origin🇱🇸 Lesotho
LanguageEnglish
Category✍️ Biography & Memoir
ISBN9780253211099
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

✍️ Biography & Memoir

True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

Explore all Biography & Memoir books →
Country of Origin

🇱🇸 Lesotho

This book is part of Lesotho's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Lesotho →

Editorial Assessment

Mpho Matsepo Nthunya published Singing Away the Hunger in 1996, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of biography & memoir from Lesotho. The book's treatment of poverty, tradition, women's roles, cultural dynamics accounts for much of its enduring reputation. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 0 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of Singing Away the Hunger lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of poverty, tradition, women's roles, cultural dynamics is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within Lesotho's literary landscape, Mpho Matsepo Nthunya occupies a significant position. Singing Away the Hunger is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from multiple independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
✍️
About the Author
Mpho Matsepo Nthunya
Lesotho
View Author →

Mpho Matsepo Nthunya is a Lesotho author whose work in biography & memoir has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

The Happiness Blueprint
New Release by Peter Burchardt
The Happiness Blueprint
Your Evolutionary Guide to Joy, Purpose, and Lasting Well-Being
Happiness isn’t a destination — it’s a blueprint written in your DNA.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
literary-fiction

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

Ocean Vuong· 2019
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score93/100
Cover of The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between
biography-memoir

The Return: Fathers, Sons and the Land in Between

Hisham Matar· 2016
★Pulitzer Prize
Editorial Score91/100
Cover of Orange Is the New Black
biography-memoir

Orange Is the New Black

Piper Kerman· 2010
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Editorial Score90/100
Cover of Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster
biography-memoir

Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster

Svetlana Alexievich· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score89/100
Cover of Unbowed: A Memoir
biography-memoir

Unbowed: A Memoir

Wangari Maathai· 2006
★Nobel Prize in Literature
Editorial Score78/100
Cover of Schindler's Ark
biography-memoir

Schindler's Ark

Thomas Keneally· 1982
★Booker Prize
Editorial Score76/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Singing Away the Hunger about?

Singing Away the Hunger is a compelling memoir that chronicles the life of Mpho Matsepo Nthunya, offering a vivid account of her experiences in Lesotho. The book provides a unique perspective on the cultural and social dynamics of the region, highlighting issues such as poverty, tradition, and the role of women in society. Nthunya's narrative is both personal and universal, making it a significant contribution to African literature.

Who wrote Singing Away the Hunger?

Singing Away the Hunger was written by Mpho Matsepo Nthunya, from Lesotho. First published in 1996.

What awards has Singing Away the Hunger won?

Singing Away the Hunger has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is Singing Away the Hunger worth reading?

Singing Away the Hunger is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in poverty, tradition, women's roles.

Where can I buy Singing Away the Hunger?

You can buy Singing Away the Hunger on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Singing Away the Hunger?

Singing Away the Hunger is classified as Biography & Memoir. True accounts of real lives, told by the subject or a biographer.

What country is Singing Away the Hunger from?

Singing Away the Hunger originates from Lesotho's literary tradition. Explore more books from Lesotho on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

✍️More Biography & MemoirBrowse all Biography & Memoir books🇱🇸Books from Lesotho🇱🇸 Lesotho literature📅1990s BooksPublished in the 1990s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time