The Swallow War
"This singular edifice sits in the center of the prison; it's open air and we call it the plaza. There are a couple of trees, some sickly grass, and… More
Execution Day—Involuntary Witness to Murder
"The significance of this cannot be understated. I’ve been down here on death watch before years ago and came within hours of being executed myself, and there’s always been… More
Going Forward with Gus
"As Gus would speak about the love for his kids and the things he wished he had done better, I thought about what it would have been like to… More
Wounded For My Own Transgressions
Now I’m back in prison. The nurses are treating me more like a medical monkey than a medical miracle. The “administration” and the like all want to see the… More
House of the Interpreter
Moyet, our interpreter, quietly translates to him what is being said, unconsciously keeping his hand to his throat, with steady eyes focusing on the dead girls. More
Spinning the Yard: Social Implications of Inmates in the Hamster’s Cage
Spinning the yard is walking around the yard either clockwise or counterclockwise. Most inmates spin the yard in order to find a sense of self and belonging. More
The Psychiatrist’s Visiting Interns
A mood disorder cannot hold blame, cannot be held responsible. The choices I made were the choices of the person I was in that time. More
from Known and Strange Things
Teju Cole's "Known and Strange Things" is a finalist for the 2017 PEN Jean/Stein Book Award. Here's an essay from the collection. More
2017 PEN America Literary Awards Finalists
PEN America is thrilled to announce the finalists for the 2017 PEN America Literary Awards. These shortlists showcase 50 exceptional literary works chosen by our esteemed judging panels. With the… More
How to Eat a Forest: In Two Acts
At times land was sold by the agent/ broker to a relatively poor immigrant, and subsequently offered by the politically connected seller to a prominent national government official. This… More
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