A Grain of Wheat – Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Book Summary
A Grain of Wheat, written by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, is a novel that revolves around the lives of several characters in a Kenyan village during the Mau Mau rebellion and the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. The story takes place in the four days leading up to Kenya's independence in 1963 and features flashbacks to events that occurred during the Emergency period.
Plot Summary
The novel centers around Mugo, a quiet and introverted villager who is regarded as a hero for his actions during the Emergency. However, Mugo is hiding a dark secret: he betrayed Kihika, a Mau Mau fighter, to the British colonial authorities. Kihika was a heroic figure who had captured a police garrison and killed a cruel District Officer, but was eventually captured and hanged after Mugo's betrayal.
As the villagers prepare for the Uhuru celebration, Mugo is asked to give a speech, but he is reluctant to do so. Meanwhile, General R and Koina, two Mau Mau soldiers, plan to execute Karanja, a Kikuyu who worked for the British as a member of the homeguard during the Emergency, for betraying Kihika.
About the Author
Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a renowned Kenyan writer, born on January 5, 1938, in Limuru, Kenya. He is considered East Africa's leading novelist and has written several critically acclaimed books, including "Weep Not, Child", "A Grain of Wheat", and "Petals of Blood". Ngugi wa Thiong'o has been a vocal advocate for the use of African languages in literature and has written several books in his native Gikuyu language. He has also been a professor at several universities, including the University of Nairobi and the University of California, Irvine.
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