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marc129's review against another edition
3.0
I do like the solemn tone with which classic epics begin, such as in the Iliad, the Odyssey, or even the older Gilgamesh epic. The Kenyan writer Thiong'o was also clearly inspired by these models, as is immediately clear from his prologue:
“I will tell the tale of Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi
And their daughters, the Perfect Nine,
Matriarchs of the House of Mũmbi,
Founders of their nine clans,
Progenitors of a nation.
I will tell of their travels, and
The countless hardships they met on the way,
....”
What he offers is nothing less than an African version of such a mythical story: equally solemn and elaborate, with continuous repetitive elements, references to higher powers, poetic effects, and a beautiful epic ending. So you can safely call this book a kind of African 'origin' epic, built around the patriarch father and mother Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi who want to select a suitable man for their 10 daughters (yes, 10!). But then things go wrong in my opinion: the more than 100 'suiters' who present themselves (a clear nod to the Odyssey) rather predictably have to undergo all kinds of tests, in this case with terrible ogres. This middle piece is more like a children's adventure story. Also, the very clear moralistic undertone (100% woke) reminds of a children's book. Only at the end Thiong'o resumes the epic-mythical tone. So, this book certainly has appeal, but I don't think it's completely successful. (rating 2.5 stars)
On a side note, I was surprised by the author’s adherence to the myth of Bantu-origin in Ancient Egypt. I know there's a lively debate on this, with different opinions amongst Western and African historians. Interesting stuff to look into, later on.
“I will tell the tale of Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi
And their daughters, the Perfect Nine,
Matriarchs of the House of Mũmbi,
Founders of their nine clans,
Progenitors of a nation.
I will tell of their travels, and
The countless hardships they met on the way,
....”
What he offers is nothing less than an African version of such a mythical story: equally solemn and elaborate, with continuous repetitive elements, references to higher powers, poetic effects, and a beautiful epic ending. So you can safely call this book a kind of African 'origin' epic, built around the patriarch father and mother Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi who want to select a suitable man for their 10 daughters (yes, 10!). But then things go wrong in my opinion: the more than 100 'suiters' who present themselves (a clear nod to the Odyssey) rather predictably have to undergo all kinds of tests, in this case with terrible ogres. This middle piece is more like a children's adventure story. Also, the very clear moralistic undertone (100% woke) reminds of a children's book. Only at the end Thiong'o resumes the epic-mythical tone. So, this book certainly has appeal, but I don't think it's completely successful. (rating 2.5 stars)
On a side note, I was surprised by the author’s adherence to the myth of Bantu-origin in Ancient Egypt. I know there's a lively debate on this, with different opinions amongst Western and African historians. Interesting stuff to look into, later on.
kscaldwell's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cnversehigh's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ag200108's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
owihd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
4.75
This was such a positive tale (except for the fact that Kĩhara was killed ????) . I'm so glad I read it. You know what, Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi had the right idea, everyone should do this before marriage - it's inevitable that you'll weed out all the wrong people.
apthompson's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5
“To build calls for hard work,
From the one who looks to tomorrow.
To destroy is easy work,
For one who wants to return to yesterday,
Like a grown person wishing to remain a child.”
“Look for me in the water. / Look for me in the wind./ Look for me in the soil./ Look for me in the fire— / Even in the sun,/ Even in the stars./ Look for me in the rain. […] / Look for me in unity. / Look for me among the helping. / Look for me among the oppressed.”
“Everything sends back a sound, however soft. If you listen to an echo with care, you can tell where it is coming from. / The ear is the eye of the soul.”
This mythological epic, told in verse and self-translated from Gikuyu (indeed, the postcoloniality of writing in his own language is a central concept to Ngũgĩ’s writings) pulls from the traditional epic form with continuous repetitive elements, references to higher powers, poetic effects, and a beautiful epic ending, and largely adheres to the myth of Bantu-origin in Ancient Egypt, built around the patriarch father and mother Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi. In the words of the author, he views mythology as a “network”, as comparative across cultures. For me, the most interesting concept explored in this book was the relationship between the individual and the community, especially when the community is one in which autonomy and network is centralised more than hierarchy, and how this relates to his wider argument of a “network” of cultures. I did find the feminist argument of this work rather unsophisticated, as it was very literally expressed.
This book was recommended and lent to me by a friend, who suggested Thiong’o as an author who might interest me given my preference for mythology. I think, having discussed his other works, that I might enjoy one of his novels more stylistically. Have you read any of his books? What did you think? Which do you recommend?
rating: ★★★.5
🗺️ Reading Around the World 2024: Kenya 🇰🇪
From the one who looks to tomorrow.
To destroy is easy work,
For one who wants to return to yesterday,
Like a grown person wishing to remain a child.”
“Look for me in the water. / Look for me in the wind./ Look for me in the soil./ Look for me in the fire— / Even in the sun,/ Even in the stars./ Look for me in the rain. […] / Look for me in unity. / Look for me among the helping. / Look for me among the oppressed.”
“Everything sends back a sound, however soft. If you listen to an echo with care, you can tell where it is coming from. / The ear is the eye of the soul.”
This mythological epic, told in verse and self-translated from Gikuyu (indeed, the postcoloniality of writing in his own language is a central concept to Ngũgĩ’s writings) pulls from the traditional epic form with continuous repetitive elements, references to higher powers, poetic effects, and a beautiful epic ending, and largely adheres to the myth of Bantu-origin in Ancient Egypt, built around the patriarch father and mother Gĩkũyũ and Mũmbi. In the words of the author, he views mythology as a “network”, as comparative across cultures. For me, the most interesting concept explored in this book was the relationship between the individual and the community, especially when the community is one in which autonomy and network is centralised more than hierarchy, and how this relates to his wider argument of a “network” of cultures. I did find the feminist argument of this work rather unsophisticated, as it was very literally expressed.
This book was recommended and lent to me by a friend, who suggested Thiong’o as an author who might interest me given my preference for mythology. I think, having discussed his other works, that I might enjoy one of his novels more stylistically. Have you read any of his books? What did you think? Which do you recommend?
rating: ★★★.5
🗺️ Reading Around the World 2024: Kenya 🇰🇪
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
dukegregory's review against another edition
4.0
Ngugi wa Thiong'o succeeds in the difficult task of making an epic work in the contemporary literary landscape. Maybe that's because I'm less versed in Kenyan mythology and the general literary tradition, but, regardless, this feels so life-affirming in a powerful way. The ending made me tear up which took me by surprise. In general, Ngugi wa Thiong'o's verse style is sparse, and, as epics go, the story is economical, yet he hits the right notes to confront the form's lack of deeper characterization, making it a poem that, by the end, has the reader connected to the beauty of blackness, womanhood, and the Kenyan culture/the united vision of Africa he portrays so simply yet vividly. Sad this didn't make the shortlist over something like The Dangers of Smoking in Bed or the The War of the Poor, especially considering his excellent, fluid self-translation.
jackievr's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
noel_rene_cisneros's review against another edition
5.0
Ngugi wa Thing'o nos ofrece una hermosa epopeya sobre su pueblo y las perfectas nueve, las mujeres que dan su nombre a las siete tribus.
sidharthvardhan's review against another edition
4.0
Is it a translation when it is done by the author himself? Or just another face of original work. Either way, I am glad this one got nominated. It is first book in verse I have read from an African author.