Devil on the Cross (African Writers Series) [Paperback]

Ngugi wa Thiong'o (Author)

Book Description

Series: African Writers Series | Publication Date: June 7, 1982

This remarkable and symbolic novel centers around Wariinga's tragedy and uses it to tell a story of contemporary Kenya faced with the "satan of capitalism." Ngugi has directed his writing even more firmly towards the commitment that he shows in Writers in Politics and Detained: A Writer's Prison Diary. The novel was written secretly in prison on the only available material -- lavatory paper. It was discovered when almost complete but unexpectedly returned to him on his release. Such was the demand for the original Gikuyu edition that it reprinted on publication.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann International Literature & Textbooks (June 7, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435902008
• ISBN-13: 978-0435902001
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,197,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > African > East African

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Colonialism on the Cross, April 3, 2006

By 

John Nordin (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devil on the Cross (African Writers) (Paperback)

One evening in Nairobi in the mid 80's I spent an uncomfortable dinner party defending this book to a bunch of outraged white folks. Well, Ngugi had it a bit worse. For the crime of producing a play in Kikuyu and for having ordinary folk be in it, and, of course, for the play expressing some irritation at the idea that a few should have all the money, he was jailed and his play confiscated.

As a result of his imprisonment, perhaps, this is not a happy book. Using allegory and parable he constructs a fabulous tale critiquing the existing order. He lays into the wealthy, the white colonialists and anyone else getting well off or acquiescing in the current regime of theft and greed.

Some of the outrage people have at this book came from Nugui's imaginative retelling of Jesus' parables. "For the Kingdom of Earthly Wiles can be likened unto a ruler who foresaw that the day would come when we would be thrown out of a certain country by the masses and their guerrilla freedom fighters" begins a parable loosely based on The Parable of the Talents.

It looks like he's attacking Jesus -- if you think Jesus was just telling pious little "be good" stories. On the other hand, if you really listen to Jesus, you'll think Ngugi is right on target.

This is an African version of Liberation Theology.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most important late 20th century novels, January 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Devil on the Cross (African Writers) (Paperback)

Ngugi has written a detailed and entertaining exploration of life in postcolonial Kenya, looking particularly at the effects global capitalism has upon the ideals of a socialist revolution. But the novel is also much more than that: it is the story of a woman who is unable to see her own beauty for the Western ideals forced upon her, a woman who straightens her hair and bleaches her skin to look more "attractive." It is the story of the devil's appearance to this woman on a golf course and her fervent desire to defeat him and the forces of global capitilism that are looting her country.

The novel is also Ngugi's attempt to translate the Gikuyu oral narrative into a written form. It is a surreal, funny, and ultimately disturbing read. If you enjoyed Achebe's THINGS FALL APART, then this is a sequel of sorts, an exploration of how the corruption continues after independence.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, June 30, 2006

By 

The Djeli (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devil on the Cross (African Writers) (Paperback)

One commentor noted that Ngugi's book is good but fails in establishing a reason to care to his audience.

The reason for this is because though Ngugi does establish empathy from his audience he does so briefly because he assumes it is understood. Ngugi, in other words, was not writing this book for the European descent population who would need an elaborate explanation as to why to care about the characters. For the commentor, who is likely of European descent, they did not feel the automatic empathy for the characters any person of African descent feels as they read through the first chapter.

It's hard for me to think of any book that so elaborately investigates the contemporary Pan-African dilemma due to European exploitation. Other great novels, such as "Home to Harlem", do not directly attack or identify the issues. This book, though fictional literature is more of a nod to the philosophical inquiries of "The Wretched of the Earth." Utterly brilliant.