3.5
How to Write About Africa
ByPublisher Description
From one of Africa’s most influential and eloquent essayists, a posthumous collection that highlights his biting satire and subversive wisdom on topics from travel to cultural identity to sexuality
“A fierce literary talent . . . [Wainaina] shines a light on his continent without cliché.”—The Guardian
“Africa is the only continent you can love—take advantage of this. . . . Africa is to be pitied, worshipped, or dominated. Whichever angle you take, be sure to leave the strong impression that without your intervention and your important book, Africa is doomed.”
Binyavanga Wainaina was a pioneering voice in African literature, an award-winning memoirist and essayist remembered as one of the greatest chroniclers of contemporary African life. This groundbreaking collection brings together, for the first time, Wainaina’s pioneering writing on the African continent, including many of his most critically acclaimed pieces, such as the viral satirical sensation “How to Write About Africa.” Working fearlessly across a range of topics—from politics to international aid, cultural heritage, and redefined sexuality—he describes the modern world with sensual, emotional, and psychological detail, giving us a full-color view of his home country and continent. These works present the portrait of a giant in African literature who left a tremendous legacy.
“A fierce literary talent . . . [Wainaina] shines a light on his continent without cliché.”—The Guardian
“Africa is the only continent you can love—take advantage of this. . . . Africa is to be pitied, worshipped, or dominated. Whichever angle you take, be sure to leave the strong impression that without your intervention and your important book, Africa is doomed.”
Binyavanga Wainaina was a pioneering voice in African literature, an award-winning memoirist and essayist remembered as one of the greatest chroniclers of contemporary African life. This groundbreaking collection brings together, for the first time, Wainaina’s pioneering writing on the African continent, including many of his most critically acclaimed pieces, such as the viral satirical sensation “How to Write About Africa.” Working fearlessly across a range of topics—from politics to international aid, cultural heritage, and redefined sexuality—he describes the modern world with sensual, emotional, and psychological detail, giving us a full-color view of his home country and continent. These works present the portrait of a giant in African literature who left a tremendous legacy.
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3.5
Iniye
Created 2 months agoShare
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“A collection of essays written by the author. Some were amazing, some I couldn't get into.
The Western portrayal of Africa is a neverending topic. A lot (including Africans) have been fed the worst kind of stereotypes imaginable about this large continent.
I picked this up after reading Africa Is Not a Country by Dipo Faloyin.”
Raelikesbooks
Created 7 months agoShare
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“This isn't bad, it just wasn't for me. Honestly should have DNF'd it.”
Alyssa
Created about 1 year agoShare
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“I loved Wainaina's memoir One Day I Will Write About This Place, and this collection of essays and short stories gave me a greater appreciation for his work. His writing truly is excellent--there is such a deep attention to craft, to satire, to humor, to proving a point while also being entertaining and enjoyable. I did like his essays much more that most of his short stories, but regardless, I overall found this to be an excellent collection. I'll likely pick up a hard copy at some point.
I highly recommend this to anyone who has an interest in sub-Saharan Africa. Literally anyone.
Thank you to One World for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review!”
smack18
Created over 1 year agoShare
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About Binyavanga Wainaina
Binyavanga Wainaina was a Kenyan author, activist, and journalist, and the 2002 winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing. His debut book, the memoir One Day I Will Write About This Place, was published in 2011. Time magazine included Wainaina in its list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2014. He died in 2019.
Other books by Binyavanga Wainaina
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