Contemporary Fiction — The Book Roads

Call and Response

Gothataone Moeng

Call and Response is a collection of nine short stories exploring the lives of ordinary families in contemporary Botswana as they navigate love, loss, tradition, and changing social expectations. Set between the rural village of Serowe and the capital city of Gaborone, the stories portray women and families negotiating the tensions between inherited customs and the desire for independence. The collection introduces a young widow struggling with the expectations surrounding mourning, a teenage girl confronting the responsibilities of caring for a dying relative, and sisters whose romantic lives challenge their family’s expectations. Other stories explore infidelity, sibling rivalry, sexuality, and the complicated bonds that connect generations. Through intimate portraits and richly observed everyday moments, Moeng reveals how private desires often conflict with public obligations. Her characters seek love, opportunity, and autonomy while remaining deeply connected to their families and communities. The result is a nuanced portrayal of a society balancing tradition with change, where ordinary conversations and family encounters reveal deeper questions about belonging, womanhood, and the meaning of a fulfilling life.

Botswana 2023