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A Grain of Wheat

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong'o is set against the backdrop of Kenya's struggle for independence from British rule. The novel intricately weaves together the stories of several characters in a rural village as they prepare for Uhuru Day, the celebration of their freedom. Through personal and collective histories, it explores themes of betrayal, love, and the complex human experiences during times of political upheaval.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in an intricate portrayal of Kenya on the cusp of independence. The narrative intricately weaves personal and political stories, focusing on themes of sacrifice, betrayal, and the complexities of freedom. If you appreciate richly developed characters and a historically rich setting, this story offers a profound exploration of human and national identity.

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A Grain of Wheat

This volume portrays several characters in a village whose intertwined lives are transformed by the Emergency in Kenya in 1952-1960. Following the village's arrangements for Uhuru (independence) Day, the novel's action is a series of stories within stories - myth interwoven with real life.

A masterly story of myth, rebellion, love, friendship and betrayal from one of Africa's great writers, Ngugi wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat includes an introduction by Abdulrazak Gurnah, author of By the Sea, in Penguin Modern Classics.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Originally published in 1967, Ngugi's third novel is his best known and most ambitious work. A Grain of Wheat portrays several characters in a village whose intertwined lives are transformed by the 1952-1960 Emergency in Kenya.

As the action follows the village's arrangements for Uhuru (independence) Day, this is a novel of stories within stories, a narrative interwoven with myth as well as allusions to real-life leaders of the nationalist struggle, including Jomo Kenyatta. At the centre of it all is the reticent Mugo, the village's chosen hero and a man haunted by a terrible secret.

As events unfold, compromises are forced, friendships are betrayed, and loves are tested.

Series: Penguin Modern Classics

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780141186993

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 February 2002

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 206g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Kenyan novelist and playwright Ngugi wa Thiong'o is the author of WEEP NOT CHILD (1964), THE RIVER BETWEEN (1965), and PETALS OF BLOOD (1977). Ngugi was chair of the Department of Literature at the University of Nairobi from 1972 to 1977. He left Kenya in 1982 and taught at various universities in the United States before he became professor of comparative literature and performance studies at New York University in 1992.

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