56 pages • 1 hour read
Devil on the Cross
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Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
Kenya • 1970s
1980
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
Devil on the Cross, a 1980 novel by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, follows Jacinta Wariinga as she attends the "Devil’s Feast," a gathering highlighting the exploitation of Kenya by Western capitalism and the local bourgeoisie. Through her journey, the novel explores themes of economic class, social justice, and resistance. Readers may encounter sensitive topics such as sexual exploitation and economic oppression.
Dark
Mysterious
Challenging
Gritty
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
2,069 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's Devil on the Cross is widely praised for its powerful critique of post-colonial Kenya and its vibrant use of Gikuyu oral traditions. Its allegorical nature and rich symbolism resonate well, though some readers find its heavy-handed political messages and dense prose challenging. Overall, it is considered a significant work in African literature.
Who Should Read Devil on the Cross?
Readers who seek a powerful critique of neo-colonialism, capitalism, and social injustice will relish Devil on the Cross by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Comparable to works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, it appeals to enthusiasts of post-colonial and political literature.
2,069 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Gatuĩria
Gatuĩria
An educated Kenyan youth passionate about African culture and music, grappling with his identity and familial ties while exploring relationships and personal ideals.
Robin Mwaũra
Robin Mwaũra
A matatũ driver whose interactions with passengers reveal his materialistic mindset and involvement with morally ambiguous elements of society.
Mwĩreri wa Mũkiraaĩ
Mwĩreri wa Mũkiraaĩ
An economist and intellectual with degrees from prestigious universities, who embodies the complexities of the educated elite in post-colonial Kenya.
256
Novel • Fiction
Kenya • 1970s
1980
Adult
16+ years
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