56 pages 1 hour read

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Devil on the Cross

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Devil on the Cross, a 1980 novel by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, follows Jacinta Wariinga as she attends the "Devil’s Feast," a gathering highlighting the exploitation of Kenya by Western capitalism and the local bourgeoisie. Through her journey, the novel explores themes of economic class, social justice, and resistance. Readers may encounter sensitive topics such as sexual exploitation and economic oppression.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's Devil on the Cross is widely praised for its powerful critique of post-colonial Kenya and its vibrant use of Gikuyu oral traditions. Its allegorical nature and rich symbolism resonate well, though some readers find its heavy-handed political messages and dense prose challenging. Overall, it is considered a significant work in African literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Devil on the Cross?

Readers who seek a powerful critique of neo-colonialism, capitalism, and social injustice will relish Devil on the Cross by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Comparable to works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, it appeals to enthusiasts of post-colonial and political literature.

Recommended

Reading Age

16+years

Book Details

Genre

African Literature

Allegory / Fable / Parable

Education

Period

Colonialism / Postcolonialism

Themes

Society: Politics & Government

Society: Class

Self Discovery

Topics

Education

Politics / Government