Customer Reviews

The Witch Herbalist of the Remote Town

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Amos Tutuola is one of the handful of master stylists in English of the 20th century. ``Witch-herbalist of the Remote Town'' is a mature work. Comparing it with his first published work (``Palm-wine Drinkard'') demonstrates that Tutuola is, in fact, a stylist and not, as it once seemed possible, a naive product of an unusual and scanty education in English in Nigeria. The compelling factor in his style is rhythm, presumably related to his mother tongue of Yoruba. It has something of the cyclical nature of extended drumming -- it is hard to stop reading it. Plot and characterization are not important in Tutuola's writing. ``Witch-herbalist'' is a simple story of a father's love for his child.

This is an excellent story about a hunter who is trying to find a cure from a witch herbalist. Like in his other books the main character seems to embody several characters which is taken to its extreme by the end of the book when is judged by the spirit of his kidney (called Judge Kidney).
Tutuola is one of the best known Nigerian authors. His writing style is unique and his talent has been promoted by no less than Dylan Thomas and T.S. Eliot. You really should read this book.