4.0
Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space
ByPublisher Description
In this “absolute marvel of a book” (Dinaw Mengestu, author of Someone Like Us), acclaimed author Remy Ngamije offers up a vibrant collection of award-winning short fiction.
Presented as a literary mixtape, Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space is a work that provides you with a uniquely modern reading experience. The A-Side, read as one narrative, tells the story of a soon-to-be thirty-year-old aspiring writer navigating a complicated world. The B-Side, taken as a separate experience, features (seemingly) independent and unrelated short stories.
There’s “Crunchy, Green Apples (or, Omo)”, a story about loss told by the strangest of narrative devices: a shopping list. “Sofa, So Good, Sort Of (or, John Muafangejo)” is a first-person account of a family’s history and a long journey towards hope. A group of friends attempts to navigate a recent breakup in “From the Lost City of Hurtlantis to the Streets of Helldorado (or, Franco).”
When read together, however, a third world emerges—a complex, intergenerational, and interconnected “journey across all genres” (Mukoma Wa Ngugi, author of Unbury Our Dead with Song) that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
Presented as a literary mixtape, Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space is a work that provides you with a uniquely modern reading experience. The A-Side, read as one narrative, tells the story of a soon-to-be thirty-year-old aspiring writer navigating a complicated world. The B-Side, taken as a separate experience, features (seemingly) independent and unrelated short stories.
There’s “Crunchy, Green Apples (or, Omo)”, a story about loss told by the strangest of narrative devices: a shopping list. “Sofa, So Good, Sort Of (or, John Muafangejo)” is a first-person account of a family’s history and a long journey towards hope. A group of friends attempts to navigate a recent breakup in “From the Lost City of Hurtlantis to the Streets of Helldorado (or, Franco).”
When read together, however, a third world emerges—a complex, intergenerational, and interconnected “journey across all genres” (Mukoma Wa Ngugi, author of Unbury Our Dead with Song) that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
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4.0

Nestor Chiluba
Created 3 months agoShare
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Stephen
Created 3 months agoShare
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Danielle
Created 3 months agoShare
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“This is a literary masterpiece that defies conventional storytelling. Raw and real, this book is an emotional journey that pulls no punches. Ngamije’s writing is exquisite, offering insights and expressions so original and profound that they stayed with me long after I turned the last page.
What makes this reading experience truly extraordinary is its pairing with the Spotify mixtape, which complements the narrative perfectly. The music deepened the atmosphere, creating a multi-sensory experience that elevated the story beyond the pages.
This book is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s not just a collection of short stories—it’s an experience. Ngamije’s prose captures the intricacies of human emotion and the vastness of space, both literal and metaphorical, in a way that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Only Stars Know the Meaning of Space is a must-read for anyone who craves something fresh, deeply moving, and utterly unforgettable.”

Sadie
Created 8 months agoShare
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About Rémy Ngamije
Rémy Ngamije is a Rwandan-born Namibian writer and photographer. He won the Africa Regional Prize of the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2021 and 2020. He is the founder of the Doek Arts Trust, an arts organization which publishes Doek! Literary Magazine, the country’s first literary magazine which he cofounded and serves as editor-in-chief. His work has been supported by the Civitella Ranieri Foundation and the Miles Morland Foundation and has been featured in literary festivals in Accra, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Berlin, and Basel. More of his writing can be read on his website: RemyTheQuill.com.
Other books by Rémy Ngamije
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