Wole soyinka the african dramatists, poet, novelist, adn critic recreates his childhood in the western nigerian villiage of ake. Years of childhood by wole soyinka and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. When he was 4 years old, spurred by insatiable curiosity and the beat of a marching drum, wole soyinka slipped silently through the gate of his parents yard and. He sometimes wrote of modern west africa in a satirical style, but his serious intent and his belief in the evils inherent in the exercise of power usually was evident in his work as well. From the beginning, before he was 3 years old, when he wanted to go to school because school was the place of books, he had a reputation. A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian novelist, playwright, and poet wole soyinka. The years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood 1934 1945 before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. The years of childhood by wole soyinka africa book club. The library shop is offering special discounts on themed book sets from the 100 great childrens books list. The years of childhood is a memoir by nigerian writer wole soyinka that was. The evocation of the wonder of a child s discovery of the world and his place in it. Sep 05, 2010 i want to do thesis in this autobiography ake the years of my childhood by wole soniyanka.
A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian no. The first thing such a child notices is that adults dont make sense. The years of childhood, book by wole soyinka paperback. Ake, the first volume of nigerian nobel prize winner wole soyinkas possibly slightly fictionalized autobiography, is the first book of his ive read. It tells the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during world war ii in. Soyinka is a master wordsmith who draws you in to his books with his lyrical naratives and true to life.
Soyinka elevates brief anecdotes into history lessons, conversations into morality plays, memories into awakenings. The years of childhood pages 2528 mr olagbajus bachelor house behind the school became a second lunchhour home. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound, raised by christian parents and by a grandfather who introduced him to yoruba. This vivid, exuberant book is the authors account of his childhood in colonial nigeria. In rich and evocative prose he tells the tales of his school days and adventures in a captivating narrative, sometimes recollecting fears and dangers but always sensitive to the surprises of childhood life. He writes with his adult voice, but maintains the childs perspective and understanding throughout, the one exception a nostalgic contrasting of streetfronts then and now. The years of childhood book ancient history encyclopedia. The years of childhood is a memoir by nigerian writer wole soyinka that was first published in 1981. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This book tells the story of woles boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including oxford university, michigan state university, and university of minnesota we have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications. I have read it several times over the years, and will no doubt read it several more as each time i get more from it.
A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage. This vivid, exuberant book is soyinkas record of his childhood in colonial nigeria. The years of childhood by wole soyinka other books. However, i was hoping for more autobiographical insights. The years of childhood thebookdealerng nigerias first. The years of childhood is a memoir of stunning beauty, humor, and perceptiona lyrical account of one boys attempt to grasp the often irrational and hypocritical world of adults that equally repels and seduces him. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble. It tells the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake, where the author spent the first 12 years. The years of childhood by soyinka, wole and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Choose from curated collections such as best picture books, best baby and toddler books, and best easy books for children ages 46.
The years of childhood was awarded an anisfieldwolf award in 1983. The years of childhood has some interesting depictions of nigeria in the late 1930 and early 40s from which a westerner can learn. His favourite food appeared to be the pounded yam, iyan, at which i soon became his keen accomplice. Ake is an autobiography of wole soyinkas early life in nigeria. For most authors, an autobiography is probably not the best place to start. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound. The lion and the jewel three crowns books by wole soyinka jan 1, 1962. Every intelligent child is an amateur anthropologist.
The years of childhood is author wole soyinkas autobiographical account about events in his childhood between about 1934 and 1945 in the town of ake in presentday nigeria. The years of childhood by wole soyinka librarything. He writes with his adult voice, but maintains the childs perspective and understanding throughout, the one exception a nostalgic contrasting of. Soyinkas rich and evocative prose tells the tales of his schooldays and. The years of childhood as a precocious yet studious youth, but ransomekuti implies that if he is to have an impact, wole must resist the urge to immerse himself solely in the world of books and academia. See all books authored by wole soyinka, including death and the kings horseman, and ake. Wole soyinka, in full akinwande oluwole soyinka, born july, 1934, abeokuta, nigeria, nigerian playwright and political activist who received the nobel prize for literature in 1986. His father is essay, headmaster of the local equivalent of an elementary. Village life in a small region of nigeria is the real theme of this autobiographical account of soyinkas first eleven years. Printed ibadan, nigeria where soyinka studied and taught. Ake the years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. It is hard to put into word just how good this book is. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew.
A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting. The years of childhood by wole soyinka pdf download. Wole soyinka books list of books by author wole soyinka. Wole soyinka the nigerian playwright, poet, and novelist recounts his first eleven years growing up under the influence of his parents, traditional yoruba customs, and christian missionaries. Ake the years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during. The books you read when youre young are an important part of your formative years. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound, raised by. As the title indicates that the work is more about the town ake than about soyinka himself as a child, perhaps that shold have been expected. Not because there arent any amazing new books, but because reading these books with your kids will give you something amazing bond over.
Sign up for librarything to find out whether youll like this book. The years of childhood vintage international soyinka, wole isbn. The years of childhood new edition by wole soyinda isbn. It is what makes ake, in addition to its other great virtues, the best available introduction to the work of one of the liveliest, most exciting writers in the world today. I was transported to soyinkas childhood world by his writing. The years of childhood study guide consists of approx. Wole soyinka was a bright, curious child and his account of his early childhood in the town of abeokuta in western nigeria is enchanting. This is the ideal circle of autobiography at its best. Here are 60 favorite books from your childhood that your kids should read now. Soyinkas father is a school headmaster, and his mother is a devoted christian who comes from a prominent tribal family. As i got older, there were some books that were so meaningful that i truly couldnt wait to share them with my own kids. The years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake.
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