Former U.S. President, Barack Obama, has recommended Chinua Achebe’s
“Things Fall Apart” and Chimamanda Adichie’s “Americanah” among six
books for the 2018 Summer reading list.
“Things Fall Apart” and Chimamanda Adichie’s “Americanah” among six
books for the 2018 Summer reading list.
Obama took to his Twitter handle to announce the six all-African
authored books ahead of his first visit to Africa since leaving office
on Jan. 20, 2017.
authored books ahead of his first visit to Africa since leaving office
on Jan. 20, 2017.
The visit would take him to Kenya and South Africa.
Obama wrote: “Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe is a true classic of world literature.
“This novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with
the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British
colonialism.
the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British
colonialism.
“A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa and around the world.
“Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: From one of the world’s
great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their
way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and
belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora and the
search for identity and a home’’.
great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their
way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and
belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora and the
search for identity and a home’’.
The other books suggested by the former U.S. leader included “A Grain
of Wheat” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o and “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson
Mandela.
of Wheat” by Ngugi wa Thiong’o and “Long Walk to Freedom” by Nelson
Mandela.
The first Black U.S. president born to a Kenyan father, described
Africa as “a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture and
remarkable stories’’.
Africa as “a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture and
remarkable stories’’.
He also announced the launch of a civic leadership programme by the
Obama Foundation after selecting 200 rising leaders from 44 African
countries, holding on July 14 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Obama Foundation after selecting 200 rising leaders from 44 African
countries, holding on July 14 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“This week, I’m travelling to Africa for the first time since I left
office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and
remarkable stories.
office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and
remarkable stories.
“I was proud to visit sub-Saharan Africa more times than any other
sitting President, and I’ll return this week to visit Kenya and South
Africa.
sitting President, and I’ll return this week to visit Kenya and South
Africa.
“In South Africa, the Obama Foundation will convene 200 extraordinary
young leaders from across the continent and I’ll deliver a speech to
mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.
young leaders from across the continent and I’ll deliver a speech to
mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.
“Kenya, of course, is the Obama ancestral home.
“I visited for the first time when I was in my twenties and I was
profoundly influenced by my experiences – a journey I wrote about in my
first book, ‘Dreams from My Father’.
profoundly influenced by my experiences – a journey I wrote about in my
first book, ‘Dreams from My Father’.
“Over the years since, I’ve often drawn inspiration from Africa’s extraordinary literary tradition.
“As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that
I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of
Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world
in powerful and unique ways,’’ the 44th U.S. president said.
I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of
Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world
in powerful and unique ways,’’ the 44th U.S. president said.
(NAN)
