Customer Reviews

The Dahomean

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author created a tale that defies American stereotypes

of captured and enslaved Africans. Mr Yerby painted a past

life of the slave, Wesley Parks, that was a very interesting

rendering of the culture of an African elite who was the

governor of a province in the Dahomean empire This was a potrait of a complete
man who had strong cultural ties, many skills and was a born

leader. Unfortunately, Hwesu was born into a decadent

society that enriched its rulers by conquering, capturing,

selling and enslaving its neighbors. The jealousy and

rage of relatives led to Hwesu\Wesley being enslaved. This

is a story of love, passion, violence, inhumanity and

survival. Hwesu was much more than a slave and his homeland

much more complicated than popular American stereotypes.

I read this book as a reprint under the title "The man from Dahomey". It is an excellent novel capturing the intricacies of the life of a rich tribal chief in Africa who was sold into slavery. Frank Yerby's character development is excellent and detailed and the novel is thoroughly entertaining. The ending is however a true tragedy. I rate his novel 5 stars even though I prefer his brilliant novel of ancient Greece "The Goat Song".

A story about Africans; their beliefs and their culture. The rivalries between tribes, how they sold each other into slavery, and their feelings about each other. Very well written and quite an insight into the history of the African nations.

Frank Yerby was an outstanding author and this is the best of all his many works. I highly recommend it to everyone. In my opinion it is a far better story than "Roots".