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The River Between
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o

ISBN-10: 0435905481
ISBN-13: 9780435905484

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 1965
Format: Paper; 152 pp
Published: 08/01/2008

Suggested retail price: $13.95
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The River Between explores life on the Makuyu and Kameno ridges of Kenya in the early days of white settlement.

 

Faced with an alluring new religion and 'magical' customs, the Gikuyu people are torn between those who fear the unknown and those who see beyond it. Some follow Joshua and his fiery brand of Christianity. Others proudly pursue tribal independence. In the midst of this disunity stands Waiyaki, a dedicated visionary born to a line of prophets. He struggles to educate the tribe - a task he sees as the only unifying link between the two factions - but his plans for the future raise issues which will determine both his own and the Gikuyu's survival.

‘It has rare qualities of restraint, intelligence and sensitivity’

The Times Literary Suppliment

 

‘ A sensitive novel about Gikuyu in the melting pot that sometimes touches the granduer of tap-root simpliticity.’

The Guardian

Ngugi wa Thiong'o was born in Limuru, Kenya, in 1938,  was educated at the Alliance High School, Kikuyu, at Makerere University, Uganda and at the University of Leeds.
His novel, Weep Not, Child, was published in 1964 and this was followed by The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), and Petals of Blood (1977). Devil on the Cross (1980), was conceived and written during the author's one-year detention in prison, in Kenya, where he was held without trial after the performance by peasants and workers of his play Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want).  This was his first work to be published in his own language, Gikutu, and then translated into English and many other languages. His novel Matigari, was published in Gikuyu in Kenya in 1986.

The author has also written collections of short stories, plays and numerous essays. Ngugi is an active campaigner for the African language and form, and he writes, travels and lectures extensively on this theme. His work is known throughout the world and has made powerful impact both at home and overseas.


He now lives and works in the United States, writing and lecturing, and is a Professor at New York University.

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Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

This title is a member of the AWS African Writers Series, which also contains the titles below . You can also visit the AWS African Writers Series page.

    This anthology of  twenty different writers, with an interesting blend of well known and newer, lesser known writers, represent all over Africa. They stories have been grouped geographically into four different sections: West, East, North and Southern Africa. It is a wonderful a pleasure to read.

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    Includes a new Introduction by Dr Elleke Boehmer, Oxford University

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    • One of Africa's Best Books of the 20th Century.

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    Brief Description

    • The River Between explores life on the Makuyu and Kameno ridges of Kenya in the early days of white settlement.

     

    Faced with an alluring new religion and 'magical' customs, the Gikuyu people are torn between those who fear the unknown and those who see beyond it. Some follow Joshua and his fiery brand of Christianity. Others proudly pursue tribal independence. In the midst of this disunity stands Waiyaki, a dedicated visionary born to a line of prophets. He struggles to educate the tribe - a task he sees as the only unifying link between the two factions - but his plans for the future raise issues which will determine both his own and the Gikuyu's survival.
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Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, browse our available packages below, or contact your