Weep Not Child Review

Good day to you, I hope you're feeling fine. Today I wanted to start something a little different. Authors and English students read a lot of books, so I wanted to start doing reviews on some of the books I've read or am currently reading, so you can get some book recs or see where I may get my inspiration from.

The book I'm going to review today is one I've read for my Critical Geographies Module in college called 'Weep Not Child' by the Kenyan author Ngugi Wa Thiongo. Written in 1964, it is a postcolonial work meaning that it is set when colonized countries such as Kenya, are struggling for their independence from England.

The plot revolves around a young Gikuyu boy called Njoroge and his family. He is living through a time of great change because now he is receiving a western education in his town. Njoroge likes school because he believes "education is the light of Kenya", and with his much learning, he will be able to get back his people's land from the British.

Other characters that feature in the novel are Njoroge's brother who is apprenticing as a carpenter Kamau and his middle-class childhood friend Muwaki, the daughter of Jacobo, a collaborator with the Colonial regime. There are differences between Njoroge's and Muwaki's families as, Njoroge's father, Ngotho, has to work on the stolen land of Mr. Howlands a Britsih man. Tensions are raised when the Mau Mau, an armed group trying to reclaim land stolen by the British begin their uprising, both Njoroge and Muwaki's families reap devasting consequences.

The chapters are short and musical-like as if they are supposed to be sung rather than read. The language is simple but packs a punch and the alternate points of view give us differing views on life in colonial Kenya, the uprising, and what home and family means. I got through it in two days but I think it can be read in one sitting. If I was to give it a tagline, it'd be a 'postcolonial coming of age novel with enduring themes such as loss and hope'.

I hope you've enjoyed this review, let me know what you thought of it and any other books you want to see reviewed.