--Henry Louis Gates, Harvard University
"This excellent anthology is to be welcomed, both for the quality of its material and for the fact that it will fill a growing need. I congratulate Anthonia Kalu and all whose work is in the volume for their contributions."
--Dennis Brutus. University of Pittsburgh and University of KwaZulu-Natal
"Dr. Kalu has assembled the best of the oral and written traditions of African literature into an anthology comprehensive in scope.... The Rienner Anthology is great news for African literature, and a boon to literature lovers."
--Tanure Ojaide, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
"Hongera to Professor Kalu and the publisher for accomplishing the important task of making African literature more accessible to more people.... This very good and wide-ranging collection brings together a valuable sampling of classic African works. It occupies a uniquely definitive position in the field."--Simon Lewis, College of Charleston
Ranging from ancient cultures to the present century, from Africa's rich oral traditions to its contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama, this long-awaited comprehensive anthology reflects the enduring themes of African literature.
The selections, drawn from the length and breadth of the continent, reveal the richness of African creativity. Readers will find myths and epics; works by such well-known figures as Chinua Achebe, Mariama B , Bessie Head, Tayeb Salih, Wole Soyinka, and Ngugi wa Thiong'o; and fiction and poetry by myriad new writers.
The pieces are organized chronologically within geographic region and enhanced by both introductory material and biographical notes on each writer. An author/title index and suggestions for further reading are also included.
