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47 pages 1 hour read

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1954

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Book Brief

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Amos Tutuola

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1954
Book Details
Pages

174

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

West Africa • 1950s

Publication Year

1954

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Amos Tutuola tells the story of an unnamed narrator's spiritual development and coming-of-age after he and his older brother become lost while fleeing from slave traders. Entering the wilderness known as the "bush of ghosts," the narrator encounters various magical and fantastical beings, experiencing numerous adventures and transformations that draw on Yoruba folklore and Christian beliefs. The novel explores themes of spirituality, the importance of folklore and mythology, and the consequences of colonialism. The source text discusses domestic violence, abuse, incarceration, and enslavement.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Unnerving

Dark

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.1

1,124 ratings

62%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Amos Tutuola's My Life in the Bush of Ghosts is lauded for its imaginative narrative and unique blend of African folklore with magical realism. Critics praise its originality and cultural depth, though some find the prose challenging and uneven. Overall, it offers a compelling, if occasionally disorienting, adventure.

Who should read this

Who Should Read My Life in the Bush of Ghosts?

Readers who enjoy My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Amos Tutuola are often drawn to surreal storytelling, African folklore, and magical realism. Similar audiences appreciate One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe for their rich cultural narratives and imaginative plots.

4.1

1,124 ratings

62%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Character List

The Unnamed Narrator

The protagonist who navigates complex identities in the earthly and ghostly worlds. His journey involves various transformations and roles, reflecting a struggle with his sense of self.

He plays a crucial role in the plot by influencing the narrator's journey and providing familial connections. As the elder sibling, he upholds family responsibilities amidst the challenges they face.

A ghostly character who plays dual roles as a wife and mother within the ghost world. She shapes the narrator's experience by introducing him to adult and family life.

A ghostly figure marked by mysterious and grotesque imagery, whose suffering highlights disruptions in the ghost world. Her palm serves as a link between realms, offering the narrator a path back home.

Book Details
Pages

174

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

West Africa • 1950s

Publication Year

1954

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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