32 pages • 1 hour read
A Dance of the Forests
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Book Brief
96
Play • Fiction
Nigeria • Unspecified
1963
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Dance of the Forests by Wole Soyinka centers on characters summoned by the deity Aroni, who confront their past actions and the recurring political issues in postcolonial Africa through interactions with both the living and the dead. The play combines traditional Yoruba elements with European drama and challenges political corruption and historical romanticism. Themes of violence and loss are present.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
162 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Wole Soyinka's A Dance of the Forests is praised for its complex weaving of Yoruba mythology and Nigerian history, offering a rich, symbolic narrative. Critics appreciate Soyinka's inventive language and deep themes, though some find the play’s density and abstract structure challenging. Overall, it is acknowledged as a significant, though demanding, literary work.
Who Should Read A Dance of the Forests?
Readers who enjoy intricate, symbolic narratives and themes of cultural identity and history would appreciate A Dance of the Forests by Wole Soyinka. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's The River Between would find similar engagement through Soyinka's exploration of post-colonial and traditional African dynamics.
162 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
96
Play • Fiction
Nigeria • Unspecified
1963
Adult
18+ years
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