Spirit Nights

By Easterine Kire

A tale of Nagaland folklore, of eternal darkness and of fulfilling one’s destiny.

'RICH AND CREATIVE STORYTELLING… HER EERIE PROSE CONVEYS AN AIR OF MENACE THAT DRAWS THEREADER IN.' The Lady

'A COMPELLING READ… I LEARNT TO READ SPIRIT NIGHTS WITH MYINNER EYE.' Morning Star

A tiger has eaten the sun, plunging Tola’s village into perpetual night time. Her people are confined to their homes, frightened and isolated. A terrible taboo has been violated to cause this disaster. But the wise elder has dreamed of this day, and her grandson Namu is eager to help. Only through journeying into unknown spirit realms, and acting with wisdom and courage, can they get the light back.

Easterine Kire is the first Nagaland novelist to write in English, and draws on real Naga tribal stories for this novel. Spirit Nights includes an essay about these ‘Dark Time Accounts’ and additional informative notes.

Some Blogger Reaction:

'A beautifully crafted story… Tola was strong, compassionate, fierce and more.' @thebwordx

'Naga folklore at its best.' @rammawi

'Namu and Tola’s relationship was the beating heart within Spirit Nights.' @labibliobecca

'Kire... has captured the essence of what it is to be human.' @reviewswithmaria

'An immersive story with a touch of magical realism… Spirit Nights will guide you along.' @chrysalis11

• Language: English
• Publisher: BARBICAN PRESS
• Release date: Mar 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781909954618

Easterine Kire

Dr Easterine Kire, poet, short story writer and novelist, was born in Kohima, Nagaland, a state in Northeast India. In 1982, she was the first Naga poet in to have her poetry published in English. In 2003, she wrote A Naga Village Remembered, the first Naga novel in English. Her novel, Bitter Wormwood was shortlisted for the Hindu Lit for Life prize in 2013 and in the same year, she received the Free Voice Award from Barcelona. In 2016, her novel, When the River Sleeps was awarded The Hindu Lit for Life prize. Easterne Kire holds a PhD in English Literature from Poona University. She performs poetry, delivers lectures on culture and literature, and holds writing workshops in schools and colleges. ‘In an extraordinary fury of poems, short stories, histories, novels, and a separate profusion of words and music she calls jazzpoetry, this quietly irrepressible one-woman cultural renaissance has pioneered, nurtured, led and exemplified the modern literary culture of Nagaland, while also establishing herself in the front line of contemporary indigenous literature.’ Vivek Menezes, Scroll ‘Easterine Kire is the keeper of her people's memory, their griot. She is a master of the unadorned language that moves because of the power of its evocative simplicity.' Prof Emeritus Paul Pimomo