Ngugi Wa Thiong'o (cambridge Studies In African And Caribbean Literature)

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. Kenyan dramatist and novelist, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, is regarded as one of the most influential African writers today, not only for his creative work but also for his criticism of wider cultural issues - issues such as nation and narration, power and performance, language and identity, empire and postcoloniality. Simon Gikandi's study offers a comprehensive analysis of all Ngugi's published work and explores the development of the major novels and plays against a background of colonialism and decolonisation in Kenya. Gikandi places the works in a context that examines the way they engage with the changing history of Africa. Tracing Ngugi's 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, this book provides fresh insight into the author's life and the historic events that produced his work.--Publisher description Kenyan dramatist and novelist Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a hugely influential African writer respected not only for his creative work but also for his criticism of wider cultural issues - issues such as nation and narration, power and performance, language and identity, empire and postcoloniality. Simon Gikandi's study, first published in 2000, offers a comprehensive analysis of all Ngugi's published work and explores the development of the major novels and plays against a background of colonialism and decolonisation in Kenya. Gikandi places the works in a context that examines the way they engage with the changing history of Africa. Tracing Ngugi's 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, this book provides fresh insight into the author's life and the historic events that produced his work Introduction: reading texts and contexts Narrative and nationalist desire: early short stories and The river between Educating colonial subjects: the "emergency stories" and Weep not, child Representing decolonization: A grain of wheat The poetics of cultural production: the later short stories and Petals of blood Performance and power: the plays The prisonhouse of culture: Detained and Devil on the cross The work of art in exile: Matigari Writing freedom: essays and criticism Conclusion A study of the works of Kenyan dramatist and novelist Ngugu wa Thiong'o explores the development of his major novels and plays against a background of colonialsim and its aftermath in Kenya.