Böcker av Yambo Ouologuem

Envisioned as a criticism of and insider's guide to African history, this dark, pugancious epic, spanning the thirteenth to the twentieth century, recounts the fate of the imaginary empire of Nakem. In its acerbic pen portraits of the dynasty of devious, asp-wielding Saïfs who reign in Nakem, visiting white exploiters and saviours, and persecuted citizens - especially the tragicomic, Paris-educated hero Raymond-Spartacus Kassoumi - Bound to Violence is a biting satire of unusual and alarming power.In this new edition, professor and award-winning documentary filmmaker Chérif Keïta provides invaluable context for the novel, whose publication in the West was mired by accusations of plagiarism, fraught with racist undertones. What emerges is a thrillingly excessive, defiant novel that paints a universally relevant portrait of sex, violence, and power in human relationships.Translated by Ralph Manheim

"This critical edition of the epic 1968 Malian novel explores its enduring literary power and the plagiarism scandal that devastated its author, the first African winner of France's prestigious Renaudot Prize. An engrossing, tragic tale spanning the thirteenth to the twentieth century, Bound to Violence recounts the fate of the imaginary empire of Nakem and the dynasty of the Saèifs who reign there as devious masters. While the novel was initially praised as an insider's guide to and critique of African history, with its vivid descriptions of the brutality of local rulers and the slave trade, Yambo Ouologuem's biting satire goes far beyond his native land. Through the society of Nakem, he paints a universally relevant portrait of sex, violence, and power in human relationships. In this new edition of Ralph Manheim's vigorous translation, professor and award-winning documentary filmmaker Châerif Keèita provides invaluable context for the novel, whose publication in the West was mired by accusations of plagiarism, fraught with racist undertones"--