East African writing in English Angela Smith

Angela Smith looks at the work of a few key East African writers, in particular, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Nuruddin Farah and Okot p'Bitek.

She concentrates on the effect that a colonial and post-colonial Africa has had on the writers' vision: 'the pain of history words contain'. Most of these writers have experienced some form of exile and it is Smith's discussion of the themes of home and of homecoming, in relation to the writers' exile, which is especial value.

The book is divided into four sections. The first chapter explores the novel and its function in East Africa. In chapter two Smith analyses the fiction of the celebrated Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o. The thrid chapter, East African Poetry', examines the importance of oral tradition and shows in particular how oral tradition has affected the voices of poets p'Bitek and Taban lo Liyong. In the fourth and final section, 'Drama and Performing Arts', the author demonstrates how active participation on the part of African audiences challenges the actors' skills and ensures spontaneity in each dramatic performance.

East African Writing in English will be of special interest to those studying African literature at school or university. The book also offers the general reader a lucid introduction ti the works of major East African writers.