A Short Summary of African Fictional Classic Weep Not, Child
Novel Overview
This novel is an autobiographical and historical account of Ngugi himself and Kenya, it dated back to the colonial Kenya around 1930 upwards. The story’s language is similar to that of the Bible but in a special ways. Characters though not fully described, the writer jumps from one short description to the other weaving them together later in the end and bringing in the themes of European exploitation, Oppression, Family, Education, Folklore, Superstition, Love and the Evils of War.
Who is it for?
- Anyone interested in East African literature
- Anyone interested in colonial history and about colonial ruled Africa
- Anyone looking for inspirational reads
- Anyone searching for best book of all time
- Anyone searching for quick short summaries of popular books
Short Summary
The novel is an intriguing presentation with an initial suspense blended with situational irony, it speaks Africa” — Success Reviews. Until I read this book by the Kenya author Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, my belief was that Achebe is the only strong living novelist.
The book reveals the atrocities that were committed by the Europeans long ago in Africa but with on a major focus now on Kenya, East Africa. The blacks were sent to fight the ‘white brothers’ by the British in ‘another Big War’ but their ‘shamba’ had been occupied and taken to their bewilderment before their return. This is why Boro who had been changed by the war disgusted Ngotho, his father. He wants the men of the land to rise and claim back their ‘lost land’. In a bid to prove his manliness to his son, Ngotho lost his work, home and life! It was all in and after their strike. Ngotho with a strange boldness fought Jacobo (the black traitor who was his landlord) but he was wounded by his cop.
As if this was not enough, Jacobo sent him packing away from his land; only to be rescued by Nganga, the rich carpenter. When the murder of Jacobo took place, there was confusion. Ngotho in confession said he was responsible and was tortured to death by the District Officer, Mr Howlands. Boro later killed him with a pistol. While all these dramas had been going on, the protagonist himself Njoroge and Mwihaki (Jacobo’s daughter) had been busy studying in school though they are much aware with the situation all over Kenya.
Njorogo thought their ‘wiyathi’ could only come from education even after the arrest and failure of the expected victory of his role model, ‘Jomo’. Njoroge and Mwihaki declared their love for each other eventually but Njoroge never fulfill his dream till the end of the plot and he accepted himself as a ‘coward’ but strictly believed that ‘the sun will rise tomorrow’.
Ngugi Wa Thiong’o is a Kenyan writer and academic, who writes primarily in Gikuyu. This novel stated as the first published novel of the author in 1964; which he wrote when he was a university student at Makerere University, Uganda. This novel was a trendsetter as being the first English novel by an East African. His other work includes novels, plays, short stories, and essays, ranging from literary and social criticism to children’s literature.
He is the founder and editor of the Gikuyu-language journal Mũtĩiri . His short story, The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright , is translated into 94 languages from around the world.
About the reviewer
Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed is a Nigerian writer, reviewer, artist, playwright, novelist, essayist, artist, reporter, editor and clown. He hails from Offa, Kwara State in Nigeria. His works has been published on many sites both national and international, he wins the WRR 2020 Contest and his recent poem, “Songs Of Love” in was accepted in Ghana and WilliWash’s site or publications. His literary output was based on his personal experiences, life and his country. He has been working diligently as a tutor to many young minds of about 234 students.
He collaborated with Bilal Says- a life, self help & motivation blog; for global outreach and promotion of free self help, motivational and inspirational material.
About book
BOOK: Weep Not, Child.
AUTHOR: NGUGI WA THINOG’O (KENYA)
REVIEWER: MOHAMMED OLUWATIMILEYIN (NIGERIA)
GENRE: Fiction, Novel
SUB CATEGORY: Fiction literature, African literature, Classic fiction, Historical fiction, Fantasy book.
Surprise to see such Afro Asian Collaboration. A good read, will definitely going to check this novel
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