Identify Books To Wizard of the Crow
| Original Title: | Mũrogi wa Kagogo |
| ISBN: | 037542248X (ISBN13: 9780375422485) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Setting: | Republic of Aburiria |
| Literary Awards: | California Book Award for Fiction (Gold) (2006), Independent Foreign Fiction Prize Nominee for Longlist (2007), Tähtifantasia Award (2008), Hurston/Wright Legacy Award Nominee for Fiction (2007) |
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
Hardcover | Pages: 768 pages Rating: 4.19 | 2507 Users | 335 Reviews
Details Based On Books Wizard of the Crow
| Title | : | Wizard of the Crow |
| Author | : | Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | Anniversary Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 768 pages |
| Published | : | August 8th 2006 by Pantheon (first published 2004) |
| Categories | : | Fiction. Cultural. Africa. Magical Realism. Fantasy. Eastern Africa. Kenya. Literature. African Literature |
Chronicle As Books Wizard of the Crow
From the exiled Kenyan novelist, playwright, poet, and literary critic--a magisterial comic novel that is certain to take its place as a landmark of postcolonial African literature. In exile now for more than twenty years, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o has become one of the most widely read African writers of our time, the power and scope of his work garnering him international attention and praise. His aim in Wizard of the Crow is, in his own words,nothing less than “to sum up Africa of the twentieth century in the context of two thousand years of world history.” Commencing in “our times” and set in the “Free Republic of Aburĩria,” the novel dramatizes with corrosive humor and keenness of observation a battle for control of the souls of the Aburĩrian people. Among the contenders: His High Mighty Excellency; the eponymous Wizard, an avatar of folklore and wisdom; the corrupt Christian Ministry; and the nefarious Global Bank. Fashioning the stories of the powerful and the ordinary into a dazzling mosaic, Wizard of the Crow reveals humanity in all its endlessly surprising complexity. Informed by richly enigmatic traditional African storytelling, Wizard of the Crow is a masterpiece, the crowning achievement in Ngugl wa Thiong’o’s career thus far.Rating Based On Books Wizard of the Crow
Ratings: 4.19 From 2507 Users | 335 ReviewsPiece Based On Books Wizard of the Crow
This is a monumental, epic book that encompasses most of Africa's post-colonial history, and one which I feel hopelessly unqualified to review. It was originally written in the Gĩkũyũ language, for local consumption in Kenya, and was translated into English by the author himself. It is an outrageous mixture of fantasy, farce and social commentary which draws on history, religion and local mythology. At different times I was reminded of Bulgakov, Rushdie and Marquez, but it occupies a trulyOh man, I can't believe I finished! I feel like finishing this book was an accomplishment. Many people compare this African novel to the Confederacy of Dunces and I see the similarities, but getting into the story is a full-time effort and commitment. Its worth it in the end, especially if you appreciate the style of African story-telling, long-winded at times as it is.
*bumping this up to 5 stars. after a couple of months i'm realising this book is going to stay with me, and I rather miss it. I need to read more stuff by him soon*I read the first 40 pages (Book One) of this novel before going to bed, and absolutely loved it. Book One told of the myths and stories surrounding the despotic ruler of the post-colonial African nation in which this novel is set. The writing and stories were so wonderfully creative and rich. Then from Book Two onwards we are
There are quite a few legends in this world. One of the oldest tells of how the people of Babylon decided to build a tower all the way up to Heaven. But to no ones great surprise, The Lord disapproved, and not only did he tear the tower down but by making everyone speak different languages he also made sure that nothing like it would ever happen again.Bah humbug, says the dictator of the compleeetely fictional African country of Aburiria (really, it has absolutely nothing to do with wa
This is a monumental, epic book that encompasses most of Africa's post-colonial history, and one which I feel hopelessly unqualified to review. It was originally written in the Gĩkũyũ language, for local consumption in Kenya, and was translated into English by the author himself. It is an outrageous mixture of fantasy, farce and social commentary which draws on history, religion and local mythology. At different times I was reminded of Bulgakov, Rushdie and Marquez, but it occupies a truly
About half way through the Wizard of the Crow the Ruler makes a trip to New York with his Ministers in order to try and persuade officials of the Global Bank to lend Aburiria the money to advance the nations Marching to Heaven Project.The Ruler falls ill on the trip and his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Machokali, is forced to call the Wizard of the Crow to fly from to Aburiria New York to affect a cure.Machokali is worried that if the news ever leaked out that the Ruler was seeking the help of
I realized that writing reviews was taking so much away from reading time that I decided to limit myself to books that had only a few reviews (and that I liked) or that I felt strongly about. This falls into the second category.I went to see Thiongo at City Lights bookstore in San Francisco last year (when the University volume of his autobiography was published), since he is mentioned so frequently as a contender for the Nobel. This book explains why.Is it an epic? Some reviews say yes, some
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