WORLD LITERARY ATLASBOOKS WITHOUT BORDERS · 2026
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Oceania · A READING GUIDE

Papua New Guinea

The Crocodile is a classic entry into Papua New Guinea’s English-language fiction. Maiba turns towards community and survival through change, while My Mother Calls Me Yaltep moves through childhood, schooling and adulthood. Sana offers a different autobiographical perspective from an independence leader. My Walk to Equality broadens the selection with essays, stories and poems by 45 women; it is a multi-voice anthology.

Books to begin with

An editorial selection · not ranked

Vincent Eri

The Crocodile

About the book

Hoiri’s story depicts life in Papua and encounters with colonial power.

EnglishOriginal

The Crocodile

Jacaranda Press · 1970

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Maiba: A Novel of Papua New Guinea — Russell Soaba
English edition

Russell Soaba

Maiba: A Novel of Papua New Guinea

About the book

The only daughter of the last traditional chief of Makawana tries to hold a changing community together.

EnglishOriginal

Maiba: A Novel of Papua New Guinea

Lynne Rienner / Three Continents Press

Edition source ↗

Ignatius Kilage

My Mother Calls Me Yaltep

About the book

An autobiographical narrative moves from childhood and initiation through schooling and work to Papua New Guinea’s political transformation.

EnglishOriginal

My Mother Calls Me Yaltep

Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies

Edition source ↗

Michael Somare

Sana: An Autobiography of Michael Somare

About the book

The independence leader’s autobiography offers a political perspective on the emergence of Papua New Guinea.

EnglishOriginal

Sana: An Autobiography of Michael Somare

Niugini Press

Edition source ↗

Rashmii Amoah Bell (red.)

My Walk to Equality: Essays, Stories and Poetry by Papua New Guinean Women

About the book

An anthology brings together essays, stories and poetry by 45 Papua New Guinean women about their experiences and equality.

EnglishOriginal

My Walk to Equality: Essays, Stories and Poetry by Papua New Guinean Women

Pukpuk Publications

Edition source ↗
Edition cover: Wanpis — Russell Soaba
English edition

Russell Soaba

Wanpis

About the book

Soaba’s debut novel belongs to the early English-language literature of independent Papua New Guinea.

EnglishOriginal

Wanpis

Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies

Edition source ↗

Steven Edmund Winduo

Hembemba: Rivers of the Forest

About the book

The Papua New Guinean writer’s second poetry collection gathers another decade of experiences and reflections.

EnglishOriginal

Hembemba: Rivers of the Forest

Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific / University of Papua New Guinea

Edition source ↗
Context and sources

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