Description: "A series of essays on modern African literature and postcolonial literary criticism"-- Provided by publisher.
Brief description:
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (1938-2025) was a leading Kenyan author and academic. He is the author of A Grain of Wheat; Weep Not, Child; and Petals of Blood, as well as Birth of a Dream Weaver, Wrestling with the Devil, Minutes of Glory, and The Perfect Nine (all from The New Press). He was the recipient of twelve honorary doctorates, among other awards, and was nominated for the Man Booker International Prize.
Review Quotes: Praise for Decolonizing Language and Other Revolutionary Ideas:
"Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's incisive analysis unearths the hidden connections between language and power, doling out insights into the fault lines of postcolonial African politics along the way. This will leave readers with much to ponder."
-Publishers Weekly
"This very personal book by Nobel Prize-nominated novelist and literary scholar Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o defines 'decolonization' as much more than geopolitical freedom and urges African writers to reclaim African languages as a way of decolonizing literature and the mind. This philosophy builds on his earlier book Decolonizing the Mind. . . . Highly recommended for readers seeking a broadened perspective on the value and meaning of native language."
--Library Journal
"A deeply considered case for reframing how we think about native tongues, Decolonizing Language looks to be an eye-popping argument from one of our most formidable thinkers."
--Literary Hub, "Most Anticipated Books of 2025"
"The celebrated Kenyan novelist contemplates literature, politics and colonialism in forceful essays covering Kenya's poverty crisis and past efforts to suppress African languages, while paying tribute to writers such as Chinua Achebe and Mĩcere Mũgo."
--The New York Times Book Review
"These essays by acclaimed African novelist and post-colonial theorist include pieces on important contemporaries including Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka, but also delve into the links between language and identity."
--Los Angeles Times "The striking quality of Ngũgĩ's ideas and the engaging topics are impossible to forget."
--World Literature Today
"Steeped in rich historical references and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's own lived experiences, this book brings refreshing focus back to efforts towards decolonization, a term that has perhaps faded from popular discourse but that deserves vigorous resuscitation."
--Booklist