Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

The River Between is a 1965 novel by prolific Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o that was published as part of the influential African Writers Series.

It tells the story of the separation of two neighbouring villages of Kenya caused by differences in faith set in the decades of roughly the early 20th century. The bitterness between them caused much hatred between the adults of each side. The story tells about the struggle of a young leader, Waiyaki, to unite the two villages of Kameno and Makuyu through sacrifice and pain.

The novel is set during the colonial period, when white settlers arrived in Kenya's "White Highlands", and has a mountain setting. 152 Pages

I encourage NTLTR members to read this novel since:

1. It is vital to expose oneself to writers beyond Europe and North America;
2. This is an important work by an African writer, often mentioned in Nobel Prize speculation, including this year;
3. You can read this work with the minimal investment of a mere 152 pages, only a few hours of your time.
4. It is Black History Month in some countries.

Personally, my only exposure native African writing is Things Fall Apart. I have owned this book for 6 years and I thank Lesle for the kick in the...pants to finally get me to read this.
Please join in this read as NTLTRC could use some intelligent commentary.

Well Brian, I hate to say this since you stated "intelligent" but my plan is starting after finishing Mr. Popper's Penguins later today of tomorrow.

Waiting on the Furnace guy to show up right now and thought I would check in.

Lesle wrote: "Well Brian, I hate to say this since you stated "intelligent" but my plan is starting after finishing Mr. Popper's Penguins later today of tomorrow.

I really was asking for "intelligent" commentary as compared to and as a balance to any commentary I chose to supply. I thought that was setting a low enough bar.

I was just teasing with the play of word...!

When do plan to start Brian?

I started today. The writing is simple and easy and the chapters are nicely short but, like with Russian novels, I struggle a bit with keeping names, of people, tribes and places, straight as so many seem similar.

Thanks for the insight, it will help me.

You are correct Brian, the chapters are short and the flow of words is easy.
There is no real description of the surrounding area of ridge and valley, or the villages themselves. Honia, the river between, is the life blood of the two villages.
A father and mother of the tribe started it all. They were given the land and would retain the land until the last of their tribe. (I have shortened the names so I may remember them easier) Wai is the last of his tribe. His father Chege took Wai on a quest of manhood to let him know his responsibilities to the tribe.
Wai vanished from the village and only his father knows where and why.

I have finished but there are no real spoilers in this commentary.

The story was very interesting, has its roots in a classic plot line. and gave me better insight into the tribal circumcision ritual that is still an issue. I thought the story did a good job of balancing the various forces involved as the west and Christianity invade the African tribe and their religion and cultural rituals. What is right and wrong and what is the best method to achieve a desired result is not always easy. Religion, tribal tradition and the need for health education motivate the characters, who are all natives. The views of the colonizers are only conveyed through native characters. I found this very satisfying.

Thiong'o's style was very easy to read and understand, consisting mainly of short crisp sentences rather than complex sentences with multiple clauses. Sometimes that made for a little choppiness and a less smooth read than an author with a more gracious style, but it was still an enjoyable read.

The life of the two tribes is separated by the Old Tribal Ways and Christianity. It tells of one person to rise above and try to bring the two tribes together by using education, but the old jealousies of envy step in.

I want to thank Brian for bringing this novel to my attention. I am wondering myself how Ngugi has not been given the literary award of the Nobel Prize. A truly enlightening read of African colonialism's workings.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...