Obradovic, Nadezda, ed. The anchor book of modern African stories.

Random House, Anchor. 375p. c1994. 0-385-72240-0. $14.00. SA*

In this expanded version of the 1994 edition, the reader will find an additional nine recent stories from African authors, six of them woman. The power of this collection is thus strengthened, and its scope is broadened as the new stories come from countries not represented in the first edition. Reading it cover to cover is an enthralling experience. The stories are arranged not chronologically but by the age of the principal character. Thus the early stories are told by or about children. The first, for example, "A Handful of Dates" by Tayeb Salih, is a brief, simply told but sophisticated story of a child awakening to the misuse of power. It could be used by a skillful teacher at even a junior-high level.

Some of the tales have a moralistic purpose, such as "The Wicked Tongue" by Mohammed Moulessehoul, which teaches a lesson about slander. Others are commentaries on the rigidity of a culture, such as Egyptian Salwa Bakr's "Thirty-one Beautiful Green Trees." Many portray Africa's harsh poverty, others the suffering caused by Africa's many wars. This is a collection of stories by African writers, but to read it is to study the human condition. Rapists, soldiers, aspiring students, bereaved parents, liars, victims and dreamers fill these pages. The tales told here are sophisticated and sometimes raw; they demand careful selection for classroom use, but reward the reader with their insight and their pathos. Patricia A. Moore, Brookline, MA