Description

IN THE HOUSE OF THE INTERPRETER chronicles young Ngøgð’s pursuit of education under difficult circumstances. His brother, mother and sister in-law are incarcerated, his home is razed to the ground; he now calls a village near a colonial guard post, home. Though he enjoys life at the prestigious Alliance High School, a dark cloud hangs over him as confrontation with colonial forces looms. Ngøgð interrogates the changes that occur around him and the world beyond, seen sometimes through the eyes of Carey Francis and others at Alliance. The boldness of citizens as confrontations move from the bush, to England and eventually to the streets of Nairobi, in the struggle to free the nation, does escape him either. At the same time, he strives to understand and embrace spirituality. IN THE HOUSE OF THE INTERPRETER is an inspirational read that encourages sincerity, hard work, tenacity of purpose and making the best out of tricky circumstances while letting positive values direct one’s decisions. Ngøgð wa Thiong’o is Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of California, Irvine, and an award winning Kenyan author currently writing primarily in the Gðkøyø language. The author of many novels, plays, short stories, and essays, Ngøgð wa Thiong’o is founder and editor of the online Gðkøyø language journal, Møtiiri and an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.