Aké the years of childhood wole soyinka books

Ake, the first volume of nigerian nobel prize winner wole soyinkas possibly slightly fictionalized autobiography, is the first book of his ive read. 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. For most authors, an autobiography is probably not the best place to start. Wole soyinka the african dramatists, poet, novelist, adn critic recreates his childhood in the western nigerian villiage of ake. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage. A dazzling memoir of an african childhood from nobel prizewinning nigerian novelist, playwright, and poet wole soyinka. His favourite food appeared to be the pounded yam, iyan, at which i soon became his keen accomplice. 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. See all books authored by wole soyinka, including death and the kings horseman, and ake. The years of childhood is a memoir by nigerian writer wole soyinka that was first published in 1981. The years of childhood has some interesting depictions of nigeria in the late 1930 and early 40s from which a westerner can learn. Printed ibadan, nigeria where soyinka studied and taught. He writes extensively about his childhood in one of his memoirs, ake.

Soyinkas father is a school headmaster, and his mother is a devoted christian who comes from a prominent tribal family. 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. Books by wole soyinka author of death and the kings. 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 of his life, before moving in 1946 to the government college in ibadan.

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. However, i was hoping for more autobiographical insights. 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. Soyinkas father is a school headmaster, and his mother is a devoted christian who comes from a. The years of childhood is author wole soyinkas autobiographical account about events in his childhood between about and in the town of ake. Wole soyinka was born into a yoruba family in abeokuta. Ake is an autobiography of wole soyinkas early life in nigeria. Soyinka, wole, authors, nigerian publisher new york. Sep 05, 2010 wole soyinka was a bright, curious child and his account of his early childhood in the town of abeokuta in western nigeria is enchanting. The years of childhood which can be read as an extended metaphor for growing up or, more specifically, growing up in a small town in western nigeria and becoming a worldrecognized author and nobel prize winner. Synopsis the first volume of wole soyinka s acclaimed series of autobiographical works.

He was awarded the 1986 nobel prize in literature, the first african to be honoured in that category. Aka is the western nigerian town where soyinkaone of black africas finest writersgrew up, the son of englishspeaking, christianized parents. The years of childhood by wole soyinka and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A relentlessly curious child who loved books and getting into trouble, soyinka grew up on a parsonage compound, raised by. Wole soyinka is a nigerian writer, poet and play writer. There is a wonderful chapter in wole soyinka s ake. The eldest son of a primaryschool headmaster and a devout christian mother, wole soyinka lived a comfortable life in the ake parsonage in abeokuta. 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. Soyinka was the first black african to be awarded the nobel prize for literature. Read this biography to learn more about his childhood, life, achievements and timeline.

Wole soyinka has 126 books on goodreads with 2614249 ratings. The years of childhood by wole soyinka africa book club. This book tells the story of woles boyhood before and during world war ii in a yoruba village in western nigeria called ake. Wole soyinka s most popular book is death and the kings horseman. Wole soyinka books list of books by author wole soyinka. He was raised in a religious family, attending church services and singing in the choir from an early age.

The years of childhood by wole soyinka other books. The years of childhood by wole soyinka librarything. The years of childhood, book by wole soyinka paperback. It is hard to put into word just how good this book is. The years of childhood vintage international reissue by soyinda, wole isbn. I was transported to soyinkas childhood world by his writing. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

Find all the books, read about the author, and more. 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. The years of childhood thebookdealerng nigerias first. 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. 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. I expected to get a lot more from wole soyinkas ake than i did. Soyinka is a master wordsmith who draws you in to his books with his lyrical naratives and true to life. Wole soyinka was a bright, curious child and his account of his early childhood in the town of abeokuta in western nigeria is enchanting. 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. Its not every day that the childhood memoirs of a nobel laureate come to hand. 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. Wole soyinka biography childhood, life achievements.