Customer Reviews (2)

Keil Jensen's review
Keil,

Ngugi was self-exiled from his country in 1982, and the novel came out in 1986.You also left out the part where the police arrested the book since they couldn't arrest the man.

Compelling Tribute to Kenya and Ngugi
In short, Matigari is the name of a former Mau Mau fighter who, as the book opens, comes out of the woods to lay down his weapons and, as he puts it, trades them for the belt of peace.Trouble comes when he begins asking the question "Where can a man find peace and justice in this world".We soon find out that in this nameless postcolonial country, there is none to be found.This book is extrememly powerful in its portrayal of the fictional Matigaro, and the Kenyan government also found it powerful.Soon after its publication, rumors began to spread of a man named Matigari who traveled the countryside, fighting for justice amongst the common people.The government soon issued a warrant for his arrest, not understanding that this man was a fictional character.Not long after this, Ngugi himself was exiled from the country.This says more for tthe power of Ngugi and his writing than my words ever could. ... Read more

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This collection of critical essays covers a range of literary forms and discusses the political, historical and ethnic contexts of lusophone writings. The book features general essays about national literatures, as well as articles devoted to writers including Luandino Vieira and Agostinho Neto. ... Read more

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Paper Edition. This is a comprehensive interpretation of all of Ngugi's works. ... Read more

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In this significant study of his novels. Harish Narang not only evaluates the relevance of his works for contemporary Kenya and other African societies but he also looksafresh at the much inaligned relationship between literarure and politics. ... Read more

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A summary of some of the issues in which Ngugi has been passionately involved. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Very good quality
The book arrived a lot earlier than the estimated delivery date and in good condition. My only problem with this delivery however, was that I received a slip from the mail service stating that the sender did not pay full postage and I had to send stamps of equal value as that stated on the slip for the package to be sent to me eventually. I didn't really like this because I was charged for postage when I made the order and I don't understand why I had to pay a second time.

Great Reading
I thought this book was really thought provoking and helps to highlight the damage done to our African languages by colonialists. Sadly, we now have an increasing number of Africans who seem to take pride in how well their kids know foreign languages when they cannot even speak the tongue of their birth! ... Read more

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Simon Gikandi's study offers a comprehensive analysis of all the published works of the influential Kenyan dramatist, novelist, and critic Ngugi wa Thiong'o. Gikandi traces Ngugi's literary career from the 1960s through to his role in shaping a radical culture in East Africa in the 1970s and his imprisonment and exile in the 1980s. Focusing also on Ngugi's engagement with nationalism, empire and postcoloniality, this book provides fresh insight into the author's life and the historical and cultural context surrounding his work. ... Read more

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Chapters: Kenyan Novels, Kenyan Writers, Jomo Kenyatta, Petals of Blood, Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o, Weep Not, Child, Eastlandah David, Juma and the Magic Jinn, Koigi Wa Wamwere, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Deep Roy, Ben Mutua Jonathan Muriithi, Elspeth Huxley, John Mbiti, Taaitta Toweett, M. G. Vassanji, Utendi Wa Tambuka, Binyavanga Wainaina, Wahome Mutahi, Michael Ndurumo, Grace Ogot, Meja Mwangi, Bethwell Allan Ogot, a Grain of Wheat, Literature of Kenya, Atieno Odhiambo, Gakaara Wa Wanjaũ, Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, Mukoma Ngũgĩ, Gitura Mwaura, Siku Njema, Ngugi Wa Mirii, Wizard of the Crow, Rocha Chimera, John Rugoiyo Gichuki, Carcase for Hounds, Daniel Kamau, Francis D. Imbuga. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 157. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Jomo Kenyatta (c. 1894 22 August 1978) served as the first Prime Minister (19631964) and President (19641978) of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation. In Kenya, Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi's main street and main streets in many cities and towns, numerous schools, two Universities (Kenyatta University and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology), the country's main referral hospital, markets, and housing estates are named after Jomo Kenyatta. A statue in downtown Nairobi and monuments all over Kenya stand in his honour. Kenya observes a public holiday every 20 October in his honour. His face adorns Kenyan currency notes and coins of all denominations. Jomo Kenyatta was born Kamau wa Muigai to parents Muigai and Wambui in the village of Gatundu, in British East Africa (now Kenya), a member of Kikuyu people. His date of birth, sometime in the early to mid 1890s, is unclear, and was unclear even to him, as his parents were almost certainly n...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=171148 ... Read more

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In this collection of essays and lectures Ngugi is concerned with "moving the center" in two sensesbetween nation and within nationsin order to free world cultures from the restrictive walls of nationalism, class, race, and gender. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The most treasured book I own!
This book is a must read for anyone concerned or struggling with the equality of others or themselves.It is a must read for anyone who thinks they know why minorities are the way they are.It is a must read for disentangling nearly 600 years of global imperialism.Ngugi's book is also a must read for understanding what is happening today, to all of us.

This book is compact yet dense with insight.The chapters inside this book examine the need for "re-centering" culture and establishing cultural freedom presently hindered by Eurocentrism, colonialism, and the "imperialism of language." The chapter on the "Imperialism of Language" is my favorite because here Ngugi carefully examines a cultural by-product of Eurocentrism and colonialism, that is, the loss of language.He writes that the world today is "dominated by a handful of languages," which is quite awesome considering the multitude of languages that prevailed, without outside dominance, prior to 600 years ago, or even 150 years ago.

This small review does little justice to this book that has been read and re-read by me for several years now, always finding something more, or understanding more with every new reading.I am writing this review because I am giving my copy of this book to my son.He is ready for it now, after reading other books I have suggested to him so that he might understand his roots and his present.I do not believe in lending out any book you are not willing to loose (many people have asked to read this book but I have never allowed it to leave my home).I am looking to replace it already, hence, arriving here at Amazon and this review. ... Read more

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In this play, Remi, the first of his tribe to go to university, ponders whether or not he should return to his people. Or should he continue to be a black hermit in the town?

Customer Reviews (1)

A Review by A. Walker
This play is a beautiful story about one man's struggle with life.I liked this play because of the drama, the twist and turns in the plot, and the simple fact that I could relate to the main character.I have thingsin my life that I do not want to do as well.It helped me put my own lifeinto perspective. ... Read more

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A collection of the author's early writings, which reveal his increased political disillusionment and foreshadow the novels which have made him an informed commentator on contemporary African life. ... Read more

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Ngugi has put together a new collection under an old title, rewriting most of the pieces that appeared in the original 1981 edition, and adding completely new essays, such as 'Freedom od Expression', written for the campaign to try to save Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Niger Delta activists and writers from execution in Nigeria. North America: Heinemann; Kenya: EAEP ... Read more