A Poet Speaks of
Empire integrates my studies of literature (undergrad) and African Studies
(grad school). I have done a great deal of research, as well as worked and
lived in Ghana. I took a class at Brown called, “West African Political
Writers,” which opened my eyes to the
rich diversity of literature coming from the continent. I read novels including
Chinua Achebe’s Anthills of the Savannah and Things Fall Apart, Buchi Emecheta’s
The Joys of Motherhood, Mariama Ba’s So Long a Letter, Ayi Kwei Armah’s The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born and a
plethora of other novels written by African nationals. Get a sense of Africa from
the perspective of a local. Try Goodreads for a comprehensive list of fiction
written by the best known African writers. There are more than 100 novels for
you to explore here:
This week I have chosen to spotlight a few of the best and
best-known authors:
Things Fall Apart
is Chinua Achebe’s best-known work, but Anthills
of the Savannah comes in a close second. Called “prophetic,” this book
examines the political system in fictional Kangan (read Nigeria) after a
violent coup d’etat. The novel aptly puts presidential politics on display and
reveals a vision of social change that is both wise and inspiring. Says the Financial
Times: "in a powerful fusion of myth, legend and modern styles, Achebe has
written a book which is wise, exciting and essential, a powerful antidote to
the cynical commentators from 'overseas' who see nothing ever new out of
Africa." Highly recommended read for those battling the cold and quiet winter
months.
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Wole Soyinka is
perhaps best-known for his plays, essays and poetry critiquing the Nigerian
government and former colonialists for their errant ways in the post-colonial
period. The Open Sore of a Continent
is among his most definitive works. By no means an easy read, this book concerns
the meaning of the word nation and how the idea shapes political outcomes in
emerging nations, mainly in Africa but also across the world. Don’t miss this
incisive explanation as to why some nations fail.
Yvonne Vera’s Nehanda
is among my favorite novels, perhaps because Vera’s words are lucid and almost
poetic. She introduces an unfamiliar world with great skill and tact. Each word
is carefully chosen. In this novel, she tells a tale of a sacred one, born to a
village in Zimbabwe which was invaded by colonialists. This child represents
the spirit of the ancestors, returned to cast out the pernicious invaders. In Nehanda, women are the keepers of
ritual. All about the book is a mysticism that is fully captivating. The author
is a Commonwealth Writers' Prize winner and a Macmillan Writers' Prize winner.
This is a highly recommended read!
Ama Ata Aidoo’s No
Sweetness Here carefully considers changes in Ghanaian society which have
come about since the end of colonialism. She examines changes in perceptions of beauty,
new urbanity, the brain drain and other topics in a series of stories which are
altogether moving. Changes and Our Sister Killjoy are also well-known
favorites by this remarkable author and playwright. I invite you to indulge in
each one of these evocative works.
As usual, I encourage your thoughts and comments. Please
pass this post on to anyone you think may be interested.
