Wizard of the CrowFrom 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, Ngugl 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 inWizard of the Crowis, 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 Aburlria," the novel dramatizes with corrosive humor and keenness of observation a battle for control of the souls of the Aburlrian 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 Crowreveals humanity in all its endlessly surprising complexity. Informed by richly enigmatic traditional African storytelling,Wizard of the Crowis a masterpiece, the crowning achievement in Ngugl wa Thiong'o's career thus far. From the Hardcover edition. |
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Common terms and phrases
Aburiria America Baby D beggars believe Big Ben Mambo body chairman of Marching coup d'état Crow daemons djinns door ears Eldares enemies eyes face fear felt Furyk Gemstone Global Bank Golden Heights Haki ya Mungu hands head hear heard heart House husband Kaboca Kamiti Kaniūru knew laughing leave Limping Witch looked Machokali magic Marching to Heaven Maritha and Mariko Mars Café matatu matter Mercedes-Benz Mighty Excellency mind minister mirror never night Njoya and Kahiga Nyawira asked ogre person police officer prairie questions queues queuing mania recalled Ruler rumors Santalucia Satan shrine Sikiokuu silence sorcerer started stood stopped story suddenly sure Tajirika asked talk tell thing thought tion told took tried trying Tumbo turned ugali Vinjinia voice waiting walked wife witch doctor Wizard woman women wondered words