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Ake by Wole Soyinka
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Aug 10, 2013 04:04AM
Please post any comments you have while reading Ake here.
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Just found this in a used bookstore in Mountain View (CA) today. They have a Nobel Prize section, but he wasn't in it! The proprietor put him in the regular fiction section, and was surprised to learn he had won the Nobel Prize. Hope I can finish by Sept. 8. I look forward to reading people's comments.
I read it, maybe twenty-years ago and enjoyed it. I also read The Interpreters at around that time and enjoyed that too but that seemed to me to be more overtly political. Hope you all enjoy it.
I've tried a couple of times and just can't get into this one. That's pretty rare for me, but I have a huge stack of other books I have to get to soon. Sorry. I'm giving up!
Turned out I bought the wrong book, Soyinka's play, "Death and the King's Horseman" and all the essays written about it. Good essays, but I found the play unreadable. I'll try to find the memoir at the library.
Watching the PBS documentary on Queen Victoria - Africa, Dr. Livingston's explorations and attempts to eradicate slavery, imperialism of Disraeli, and cultural hegemony of Gladstone. All a century before Soyinka, yet the effects remained then and today. One wonders how Africa would have evolved without Britain's intrusions.
Elise wrote: "Watching the PBS documentary on Queen Victoria - Africa, Dr. Livingston's explorations and attempts to eradicate slavery, imperialism of Disraeli, and cultural hegemony of Gladstone. All a century ..."
Yes, it is an interesting question. One thing to remember is that it wasn't only the British who intruded, most major European nations were at it, all in the name of 'trade'(exploitation of resources) and 'civilisation'(proselytising).
Yes, it is an interesting question. One thing to remember is that it wasn't only the British who intruded, most major European nations were at it, all in the name of 'trade'(exploitation of resources) and 'civilisation'(proselytising).
Oh yes! You are right, of course. And according to the documentary, the British did everything with an eye on the French, Germans, Russians. Also clear that the Africans had a lot to do with the slave trade, not innocent themselves, not at all. I think that's an issue well after Soyinka, though.
Finished the book. Really liked it. Especially in the end when the women are getting out from under the male oppression was a very interesting part of the book.Aké: The Years of Childhood
Good for you! Have had no time, but when I started it, the writing seemed tough, a bit stilted. If you liked the end (and that does sound wonderful), I'll try again.
Lex wrote: "Finished the book. Really liked it. Especially in the end when the women are getting out from under the male oppression was a very interesting part of the book.Aké: The Years of Childhood"
Glad you enjoyed it, I remember that I did when a read it a few years ago.
Glad you enjoyed it, I remember that I did when a read it a few years ago.
Did anyone think the writing was stilted besides me? Did Soyinka portray himself as a pint-sized hero?
Oct. 7, finally finished Ake The Years of Childhood after several false starts. It is quite stilted in the beginning and hard to get into. But as soon as I got used to his style and unusual syntax (word order) and all the ways of naming everyone, I was enthralled. Really a look at their mix of native and Christian beliefs and customs!! And the 1st book I've ever read where you can feel that the guy talking is between 3 and moving up to 11 years old - and yet not baby talk. Quite a feat!
Congrats on finishing, Elise. I really hate to give up on books. You have encouraged me to pick this one up again. Someday...
