Author Zalika Reid-Benta celebrates debut novel River Mumma and story collection Frying Plantain

BY PAUL JUNOR

It was a phenomenal turnout of community members, professors, teachers and book enthusiasts on Thursday, February 27^th,2025. The launch of author Zalika Reid-Benta’s debut novel, “River Mumma,” and story collection, “Frying Plantain” was held at William Doo Auditorium, New College at the downtown University of Toronto campus.

Reid-Benta graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English and Cinematic Studies, and minoring in Caribbean Studies from Victoria College, which is affiliated with the University of Toronto. She subsequently completed a Master of Fine Arts program at Columbia University in New York.

There has been praises and commendations of Zalika Reid-Benta novel “River Mumma,” Cherie Dimaline, bestselling author of “VenCo” and “Empire of Wild” described it in glowing terms. She states, “Wholly original, remarkably crafted, and unmatched in voice. I loved this book.” The novel was a finalist for the 2024 Trillium Book Award. This literary award is presented to writers who are residents of Ontario as a way of honouring books in Ontario.

“Wholly original, remarkably crafted, and unmatched in voice. I loved this book.”

The story collection, “Frying Plantain” was described as “A rich and unforgettable portrait of growing up between two worlds.” In addition, “It shows how, in one charged moment, friendship and love can turn to enmity and hate, well-meaning protection can become control, and teasing play can turn to something much darker.” In a review of it by the Globe and Mail notes, “These stories are readable and relatable. They hit the sweet spot between having something to say and still being the kind of read you can immerse yourself in, a rare combination.”

Zalika responded to questions that were posed to her from two moderators from the Caribbean Studies program based at New College, University of Toronto. One of the questions was, “We can often be discouraged instead of nurtured, so can you talk about your journey?” Zalika responded, “As a writer, if I never took ‘Beloved’ off of my mother’s shelf, I don’t know where I would be “ She states further, “We weren’t reading anything like that in school, and I remember Jamaica Kincaid’s Annie John was a huge influence on me, as I was reading at home. If I had not read that, I don’t know how Frying Plantain would’ve come to be.”

Dr. Alissa Trotz, Director of the Women and Gender Studies Institute and Director of the undergraduate Caribbean Studies Program at the University of Toronto states, “I feel so full. This was one of the best conversations. It’s really so wonderful.”

There were several partners who collaborated to ensure the success of the evening with Zalika Reid-Benta. They include:

• New College
• Victoria College
• Centre for Caribbean Studies
• Women and Gender Studies Institute
• PEN Canada

Zalika wrote a message on Instagram (@Zalikart) regarding the successful event. She states, “My heart is still full from such a fun evening moderated by two brilliant students and attended by insightful, engaged, and passionate people. Thank you to everyone.”