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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A religion that took no count of people's way of life, a religion that did not recognize spots of beauty and truths in their way of life, was useless. [..] It would only maim a man's soul, making him fanatically cling to whatever promised security […]
If the white man's religion made you abandon a custom and then did not give you something else of equal value, you became lost
Change. This books is about change and how people cope with it. When the Christian missionaries arrive at an African region the local tribes are threatened by this swiping force that is claiming their young and lands while dubbing their past, customs and social traditions evil.
It's a battle between the past and the future, tradition and evolution but above it all it's a battle of men and all their fears and vises and ambitions.
It depicts clearly how religion is always tied to politics and it’s a testimony to how vital traditions and customs are to a society.
There's a Greek song that says "[…] by fire and knife this world moves forward" and that's exactly what happens to the Makuyu people and poor Waiyaki who dreamed of
education for unity. Unity for political freedom.
reflective
slow-paced
I think this book is such an interesting read in conjunction with Things Fall Apart as it sort of seems to pick up where TFA left off with regards to Christian colonization, as well as in contrast to books such as Robinson Crusoe and other colonial works. As a white Christian who's had "African missionaryism," as I call it, nailed into my head for as long as I can remember, it was so good to read something from the native perspective about how deeply this ideology cuts. Important read in my opinon.
I read the first couple chapters in December then forgot about the e-book until after the New Year, but finally finished! The story was interesting and the descriptions of the tribal traditions and the sanctity of the land were really well thought out and the writing for these details was beautiful. However, there was a lot of misphrasing or incorrect word choices and I felt that some details were really skimped on. I also felt the ending was a little too rushed and there wasn't really any closure. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but nothing that really blew me away.
Sometimes I wonder if Americans will ever be able to see Africa as a continent with unique and vibrant countries rich with varied histories, conflicts, religions, and cultures or if we will be chained to ignorant ideas for the foreseeable future. Considering this novel was written in 1965 and most Americans still can't distinguish between a Kenyan author and a Nigerian one, I'd wager Americans are firmly mired in the second camp.
The comparison The River Between frequently draws is to Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, but this is likely because that's the one African novel white people read. Though the importance of Achebe's novel goes without saying, reading The River Between through the lense of Things Fall Apart does it a great disservice.
In my reading of this novel, I was struck violently by the ideas that Thiong'o examines, primarily those that surround education. He offers little answers, but considers various sides that are as relevant now as they were in 1965.
The sweeping narrative initially covers the conflict between a Christian mission, joined by recently converted Christian Kenyan, and the tribe members across the river who condemn the white man's religion. As the story unfolds, both sides splinter into bickering factions and the conflict becomes dangerous.
The plot in the first half of the book largely hinges on Muthoni, a girl from the Christian tribe who decides to undergo the rite of female circumcision against her father's wishes. She contracts an infection and dies, which sparks animosity and suspicion and further drives a wedge between both sides. I've read dozens of interpretations of this plot point, with readers falling on a scale from "this is why we should accept female circumcision" to "this is a confirmation of the barbarism of this act". I, however, believe both reads are largely wrong. Thiong'o isn't making a point on this tradition one way or another, and to turn Muthoni into a parable for either side of the debate is to miss the layered discussion Thiong'o is having. The physical evidence of the division of the tribe may be circumcision, but the actual discussion focuses on "white mans education".
For much of the novel, the question is frequently debated as to whether or not this education is needed. For Waiyaki, the main protagonist, he sees education as a way to fight the white man. For others, it's a threat to their culture and traditions. Beyond this surface conflict, there is also the interior consideration of what knowledge can and cannot know. Waiyaki, for instance, reaches a moment of ecstacy with his tribe when he realizes that letting go of his rational brain is something that cannot be taught (a lesson he then forgets relatively quickly). He also struggles with his love for Nyambura, which defies all logic and reason. The various aspects of education that Thiong'o considers are extensive and thought provoking.
Everyone is looking for a savior in the novel, be it the great Teacher, ancient customs, or Jesus Christ himself. Thiong'o's aim is not to have the answers, and to suggest a "can't we all just get along" read of this novel is sinfully reductionist. The thoughtful examination of these ideas and a willingness to contemplate them is only the starting point.
The comparison The River Between frequently draws is to Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, but this is likely because that's the one African novel white people read. Though the importance of Achebe's novel goes without saying, reading The River Between through the lense of Things Fall Apart does it a great disservice.
In my reading of this novel, I was struck violently by the ideas that Thiong'o examines, primarily those that surround education. He offers little answers, but considers various sides that are as relevant now as they were in 1965.
The sweeping narrative initially covers the conflict between a Christian mission, joined by recently converted Christian Kenyan, and the tribe members across the river who condemn the white man's religion. As the story unfolds, both sides splinter into bickering factions and the conflict becomes dangerous.
The plot in the first half of the book largely hinges on Muthoni, a girl from the Christian tribe who decides to undergo the rite of female circumcision against her father's wishes. She contracts an infection and dies, which sparks animosity and suspicion and further drives a wedge between both sides. I've read dozens of interpretations of this plot point, with readers falling on a scale from "this is why we should accept female circumcision" to "this is a confirmation of the barbarism of this act". I, however, believe both reads are largely wrong. Thiong'o isn't making a point on this tradition one way or another, and to turn Muthoni into a parable for either side of the debate is to miss the layered discussion Thiong'o is having. The physical evidence of the division of the tribe may be circumcision, but the actual discussion focuses on "white mans education".
For much of the novel, the question is frequently debated as to whether or not this education is needed. For Waiyaki, the main protagonist, he sees education as a way to fight the white man. For others, it's a threat to their culture and traditions. Beyond this surface conflict, there is also the interior consideration of what knowledge can and cannot know. Waiyaki, for instance, reaches a moment of ecstacy with his tribe when he realizes that letting go of his rational brain is something that cannot be taught (a lesson he then forgets relatively quickly). He also struggles with his love for Nyambura, which defies all logic and reason. The various aspects of education that Thiong'o considers are extensive and thought provoking.
Everyone is looking for a savior in the novel, be it the great Teacher, ancient customs, or Jesus Christ himself. Thiong'o's aim is not to have the answers, and to suggest a "can't we all just get along" read of this novel is sinfully reductionist. The thoughtful examination of these ideas and a willingness to contemplate them is only the starting point.
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My second time reading it. Loved it.
Under the guise of what some consider a 'love story', Ngugi Wa Thiong'o talks about a growing gap between two cultures as Christian missionaries come in and make the native people begin to question the traditional practice of female circumcision, in his book The River Between.
I will say that the book does a much better job of showing the cultural justifications of the practice of female circumcision than many of the other similar books that claim to do the same.
I felt that the book did a better job of the peoples of a culture turn against one of their own, than turning against the outsiders who attempt to teach the locals new traditions. The few people want to embrace a blending of values and cultures are turned on and exiled from their people. Those who fight vehemently to keep the cultures apart are hailed as heroes by their people.
The story just seemed to go in a big circle, and much like many of the other books in this genre that I have read, does not have a conclusive ending.
Overall I rate this one a pass. As in, pass it up.
I will say that the book does a much better job of showing the cultural justifications of the practice of female circumcision than many of the other similar books that claim to do the same.
I felt that the book did a better job of the peoples of a culture turn against one of their own, than turning against the outsiders who attempt to teach the locals new traditions. The few people want to embrace a blending of values and cultures are turned on and exiled from their people. Those who fight vehemently to keep the cultures apart are hailed as heroes by their people.
The story just seemed to go in a big circle, and much like many of the other books in this genre that I have read, does not have a conclusive ending.
Overall I rate this one a pass. As in, pass it up.
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective