Wole soyinka biography childhood, life achievements. Wole soyinka s most popular book is death and the kings horseman. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound, raised by. The years of childhood has some interesting depictions of nigeria in the late 1930 and early 40s from which a westerner can learn. Synopsis the first volume of wole soyinka s acclaimed series of autobiographical works. 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. 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. The years of childhood vintage international by prof. The years of childhood, nigerian writer wole soyinka tells the story of the first eleven years of his life. The years of childhood is a memoir by nigerian writer wole soyinka that was.
The final chapters of the book explore soyinkas role in a womens movement. The years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood before. The interpreters by wole soyinka 6 editions first published in 1965 download daisy. The years of childhood, which won a 1983 anisfieldwolf book award. However, i was hoping for more autobiographical insights. Film adaptation of wole soyinkas book ake on amazon. Soyinkas rejection of the novel and embrace of autobiography. Ak the years of childhood gives us the story of soyinka s boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ak.
Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Wole soyinka, in full akinwande olu wole soyinka, was born on july, 1934. Ake the years of childhood gives us the story of soyinkas boyhood before and during. The years of childhood, set in the years just before world war ii, is a memoir by nigerian nobel laureate, wole soyinka, that was first published in 1981. The narrative moves effortlessly from very early recollections to the point at. The years of childhood new edition by soyinda, wole isbn. Books by wole soyinka author of death and the kings. The years of childhood vintage international soyinka, wole isbn. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka.
A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian no. His mother owned a shop in the nearby market and was respected political activist. The years of childhood gives us the story of soyinka s boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. This vivid, exuberant book is the authors account of his childhood in colonial nigeria. Soyinka was the first black african to be awarded the nobel prize for literature. Wole soyinka was a bright, curious child and his account of his early childhood in the town of abeokuta in western nigeria is enchanting. Sign up for librarything to find out whether youll like this book.
Years of childhood book online at best prices in india on. This is one of the bestknown plays by africas major dramatist, wole soyinka. Get your kindle here, or download a free kindle reading app. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound. The most profoundly symbolic moment in wole soyinkas childhood. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read.
Soyinka s rich and evocative prose tells the tales of his schooldays and adventures, recollecting fears and dangers. A kinwande oluwole babatunde soyinka was born on th july 1934, in a town ijebu isara, close to abeokuta in western nigeria which at that time was a british dominion, as second of six children of samuel ayodele soyinka and grace eniola soyinka. In 1986, soyinka became the first african to be awarded the nobel. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Wole soyinka books list of books by author wole soyinka. Soyinka s father is a school headmaster, and his mother is a devoted christian who comes from a prominent tribal family.
Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. The years of childhood is author wole soyinka s autobiographical account about events in his childhood between about and in the town of ake. The years of childhood by wole soyinka other books. 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. He is regarded as one of the finest poetical playwrights and has been imprisoned countless times for his outspoken views on the nigerian government. It tells the story of soyinka s boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake, where the author spent the first 12 years of his life, before moving in 1946 to the government college in ibadan. The years of childhood by soyinka, wole and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ake the years of childhood gives us the story of soyinka s boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. One of africas greatest writers, wole soyinka is the first african to be awarded the prestigious nobel prize in literature. Nobel prize winning author wole soyinka recalls his early years in 30s40s nigeria. Son of a middle class christian family his father is a headmaster, the flavour of yoruba society is nonetheless vividly evoked throughout, whether its his pagan grandfather cutting his ankles in a coming of age ritual, his fathers ideas on bringing up his family to him, shoes on the feet of children was.
Wole soyinka has 125 books on goodreads with 2614070 ratings. The years of childhood is author wole soyinka s autobiographical account about events in his childhood between about 1934 and 1945 in the town of ake in presentday nigeria. A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian. It tells the story of soyinka s boyhood before and during amazon site. The years of childhood vintage international book online at best prices in india on. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Ake is an autobiography of wole soyinkas early life in nigeria. The years of childhood first aventura edition by soyinka, wole isbn. His father is essay, headmaster of the local equivalent of an elementary school, a man who delights in arguing. The years of childhood by wole soyinka librarything.
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. And thats exactly what makes wole soyinka a literary icon. The years of childhood by wole soyinka pdf download. Wole soyinka, the first african to ever be awarded the noble prize in literature, grew up in nigeria in the fifties, when both his native country and much of the rest of africa was still roiling under. Soyinka grows up as an inquisitive child in a church compound. A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian novelist, playwright, and poet wole soyinka. His father was a teacher, his mother ran a shop and his extended family could be called middle class. The years of childhood, was published in 1981 and followed by the companion. He writes with his adult voice, but maintains the childs perspective and understanding throughout, the one exception a nostalgic contrasting of. 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. Publication date 1983 topics soyinka, wole, authors, nigerian.
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