African authors

djsgaelic1972 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:15 am Post subject: African authors

The Joseph Conrad book that is set for Feb./Mar. is a ggod example of an author who deals with colonialism.

Authors I have read and enjoyed:
Nadine Gordimer
Chinua Achebe
J.M. Coetzee
Okot P'Bitek

Any of these authors books are mezmerizing in their ability to take the reader inside and let them join in the story.

irishrosem · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject:

Djsgaelic, I’ve only read Achebe and a bit of Coetzee. Actually, perhaps we should consider choosing an African author for our next official booktalk selection. It could make for a nice progression from Heart of Darkness. And it doesn’t seem as though any one book suggestion in that thread has garnered a lot of attention. Do you have any good suggestions of books by African authors that can lead to some nice literary discussion, Dj?

djsgaelic1972 · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:51 pm Post subject: African authors

I took a decolonizing education class in college and it featured a wide variety of international authors. My favorites tended to be the african authors.

jales4 · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I have read and enjoyed:

Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography--The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in Apartheid South Africa This book was banned for many years. In Africa, kaffir is an offensive word for a black person, similar to our n-word.

irishrosem · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject:

jales4 · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Rose,

I just did a bit of research and found that the American Library Association has it on their list of Most Challenged Books 1990 - 1999. It is #33 on their list.

It also shows up on Amazon.com and Powells.com in their 'banned books' section.

It was banned from most high school libraries, mostly due to the passage in which men offer young boys a trade of food for sex.

irishrosem · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 2:12 pm Post subject:

Gee jales, thanks for the research. I'm always intrigued by banned books. 1990-99--Sheesh.

MadArchitect · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

I've been meaning to read "Things Fall Apart" for some time now, and I wouldn't mind having a discussion group to read along with. But I don't see any particular reason to wait for the next reading period. If anyone else is interested and can find the time, why don't we make it an ad hoc, additional reading? Later on, we can compare the Africa of "Thing Fall Apart" to the Africa of "The Heart of Darkness".

irishrosem · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:02 am Post subject:

I read Things Fall Apart too long ago to remember enough to contribute. But I’d definitely try to fit in a reread if it were made an official unofficial discussion.

WildCityWoman · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: Two by the same author . . .

Purple Hibiscus and Half a Yellow Sun - absolute gems, both books.

Ashleigh · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:21 am Post subject:

I've got Conrad and Achebe on my shelf ready to read!

Ophelia · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:08 am Post subject:

We had a discussion, some months ago, of Heart of Darkness at BT, which I enjoyed immensely. We also discussed Achebe's essay on the book.
If you wish to have a look, this discussion is now in the archives.

Ashleigh · Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:01 pm Post subject:

thanks Ophelia.


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