Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (Studies in African Literature Series) [Paperback]

Ngugi Wa Thiongo (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0435080164 | ISBN-13: 978-0435080167 | Publication Date: July 18, 1986

Ngugi describes this book as "a summary of some of the issues in which I have been passionately involved for the last twenty years of my practice in fiction, theatre, criticism and in the teaching of literature.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries Europe stole art treasures from Africa to decorate their houses and museums; in the twentieth century Europe is stealing the treasures of the mind to enrich their languages and cultures...."

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...the single most coherent and forceful intervention to date in a debate which has been going on for a quarter of a century.”–The International Journal of African Historical Studies

About the Author

Ngugi is world famous for his novels from Weep Not, Child to Matigari and the impact of his plays, especially in Gikuyu, which led to his detention in Kenya. He is now Professor of Comparative Literature and Performance Studies in New York University. This book reflects many of the concerns found in Decolonising the Mind and Moving the Centre.

Product Details

• Paperback: 114 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (July 18, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435080164
• ISBN-13: 978-0435080167
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > African

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Reading, June 26, 2007

By 

Elias Chikoto "Zariro" (Basel, Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (Studies in African Literature Series) (Paperback)

I thought this book was really thought provoking and helps to highlight the damage done to our African languages by colonialists. Sadly, we now have an increasing number of Africans who seem to take pride in how well their kids know foreign languages when they cannot even speak the tongue of their birth!

1 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good quality, April 14, 2008

By 

O. M. Obhuo "mayee4real" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature (Studies in African Literature Series) (Paperback)

The book arrived a lot earlier than the estimated delivery date and in good condition. My only problem with this delivery however, was that I received a slip from the mail service stating that the sender did not pay full postage and I had to send stamps of equal value as that stated on the slip for the package to be sent to me eventually. I didn't really like this because I was charged for postage when I made the order and I don't understand why I had to pay a second time.