From the archive: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: three days with a giant of African literature

In this book, Pema Chödrön offers life-changing tools for transforming suffering and negative patterns into habitual ease and boundless joy. Drawing from traditional Buddhist wisdom, she advises moving toward painful situations with friendliness and curiosity, rather than trying to escape them. The book emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, impermanence, and groundlessness, and provides practical advice for dealing with difficult emotions like fear, anger, and sadness. Chödrön encourages readers to stay present with their feelings and to cultivate nonaggression and compassion, leading to deeper healing and understanding[1][3][5].

Nostromo is a complex and ambitious novel by Joseph Conrad, set in the imaginary South American country of Costaguana. The story revolves around the silver mine in the province of Sulaco, which becomes a central point of conflict and greed. The novel follows characters such as Nostromo, a trusted Italian captain; Martin Decoud, a cynical journalist; and Charles Gould, the owner of the silver mine, as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of revolution, imperialism, and personal corruption. Conrad explores themes of capitalism, moral values, and the destructive nature of human ambition, creating a rich and intricate narrative that delves deep into the psychological and political complexities of its characters and setting.

Devil on the Cross is a novel by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, originally written in Kikuyu as 'Caitaani mũtharaba-Inĩ'. The story unfolds in the context of a 'Devil's Feast', where local elites compete to be chosen as disciples to foreign businessmen, highlighting the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy. The novel critiques capitalist exploitation and colonial legacies in Kenya.

In this influential work, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o argues for the decolonization of African literature by rejecting the dominance of European languages. He critiques the psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism, emphasizing the necessity of writing in native languages like Gikuyu to reclaim cultural identity and autonomy. The book blends personal narrative, literary theory, and political analysis to challenge postcolonial power structures.