Wizard of the Crow: A novel

The greatest Kikuyu author has done it again. Ngugi's English translation of his own novel (originally written in his native Kikuyu) is an enjoyable read that you won't notice its considerable length compared to his other classics. Set in the imaginary Abruria ruled by the iron-fisted "the Ruler," the novel is really set in Kenya during the Moi regime. Magical realist and hyperbolic the novel comes complete with a post-modern Jesus figure in Kimiti who makes himself into the Wizard of the Crow by accident.

Ngugi is a magnificent storyteller and the plot complete with love story and action could stand alone. But he weaves into the novel a criticism of the African gatekeeper state. Yet he challenges not only the African state but also the Washington Consensus and neo-colonialism. He portrays the Ruler like Seneca's dog being pulled around by the chariot of the Global Bank and the new globalized colonialism. The Ruler cannot understand how what he has done in the Cold War era is not acceptable to the "New World Era."

The Wizard of the Crow is to the post Cold War era what Things Fall Apart was to the decolonization era. This is a must read for students of Africa, but more so to lovers of modern literature.

Ngugi has here written a weighty but engaging tale of ... well, it's a little hard to describe. There's an African dictator, three sycophantic government ministers (so sycophantic that one had his eyes surgically enlarged to be able to spot the Ruler's enemies, another his ears...), a traditional healer, an activist, an opportunistic businessman, a wife fed up with beatings, condescending representatives from the "Global Bank," and Much, Much More.

Having worked in and read about African countries for a number of years, many of the players seemed familiar: for example, the former revolutionaries co-opted into the ruling party reminded me of Richard Leakey, the Kenyan opposition politician who lost credibility by joining the ruling party.

In short, I really enjoyed this piece: part farcical satire, part magical realism (as the Ruler blows up like a balloon and begins to float - yes, really), part political activist's anthem, and occasionally just a drama. In the drama occasions, I usually wished for more farcical satire, but still, I highly recommend this book.

I've read three novels by Ngugi wa Thiong'o: The River Between, Petals of Blood, and this one. This is definitely the most fun (okay, it's the only remotely funny one). I'd recommend Petals of Blood for a much more serious and depressing account of post-colonial disillusionment with local leadership. Another novel that I found illustrative of post-colonial African politics was Chinua Achebe's A Man of the People.

Note on content: the book has a bit of strong language and lots of absurdity.

If you're looking for the next great African novel, you have found it right here! Written with hints of magical realism, with an almost fairy-tale brand of progression, this novel will have you enthralled from start to finish. An extremely dense and allusion-filled story, full of hidden social commentary. Ngugi does it again, friends! Enjoy!

This epic novel by one of Africa's great writers, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, is as relevant today to many countries in Africa - including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria (to name but a few) - as it is to bygone despotic dictators such as Idi Amin of Uganda and Daniel arep Moi of Kenya. Ngugi had first hand experience of the latter and was imprisoned in Kenya without trial under Moi before going into exile in London. He now lives in California where he is a professor of English and comparative literature at the Irvine campus of the University of California, and the head of its International Center for Writing and Translation.

As several critics have pointed out, this overly long novel would have benefited from some adept and competent editing. Ngugi's writing is a combination of fictional story-telling, magical realism and didactism creating an uneven melange that although a compelling tale, is jagged and at times rambling. This detracts from the satirical commentary about power-hungry corrupt African leaders and their sycophants that are driven by unbridled greed at the expense of any thought for the plight of the destitute masses in their countries.

Ngugi's plea is for Africans to find their voice and reclaim their heritage that was plundered by colonialists. He highlights some of the troubling issues that plague many African countries: megalomaniacal leaders, corruption, oppression of any dissent, a patriarchal machismo resulting in abuse of women, religiosity, neglect of the poor, unemployment, and a strong belief in the supernatural. Juxtaposed against this bleak picture is a vision of hope that change may be possible if sufficient numbers of people join together against the overwhelming forces of evil.

Ngugi leaves us without any definitive answer. In his novel, one despotic dictator has been deposed - only to be replaced by another. However, the underground "Movement for the Voice of the People" remains vibrant and active. Only time will tell what the outcome will ultimately be - and Ngugi is not venturing a prediction.

John Gosling

Wizard of the Crow is very well crafted and extremely entertaining. It tells the story of a fictional African country ruled by a dictator surrounded by sycophantic cabinet ministers. The politicians, businessmen and police officers in the story are all highly superstitious. As a result they become completely caught up with what they regard as an extremely powerful wizard who is controlling all of their lives. The lengths to which they go to protect themselves and to placate the wizard will have you laughing out loud. Although it is a sattire, one finds ones'self constantly thinking of real life personalities who are just like the characters. Within the political intrigue created by the ruler and his lackeys the author manages to weave a gripping love story. I definitely recommend this book. It is a classic.