The notion of 'landlines' intimates communication, and is a fairly safe bet as far as most of the writing offered here, critical and creative, is concerned. In a way, of course, the metaphor is a rearguard action, and blows up in one's face, as it were, suggesting as it does a system of telephonic communication that is no longer typical of Africa, which is at the forefront of cellphone culture. On the more positive side, it is hoped that 'landlines' evoke traditional values, permitting the endorsement of communicative standards that are higher than those fostered by the 'etherial' chaos of...