Book description
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts, Amos Tutuola's second novel, was first published in 1954. It tells the tale of a small boy who wanders into the heart of a fantastical African forest, the dwelling place of innumerable wild, grotesque and terrifying beings. He is captured by ghosts, buried…
Why read it?
2 authors picked My Life in the Bush of Ghosts as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Unimpressed by Amos Tutuola’s debut novel, I approached My Life in the Bush of Ghosts with caution. However, I’m glad I took the leap. Tutuola’s vivid descriptions of supernatural entities from Yoruba tradition appealed to both the avid fantasy reader and the cultural historian in me.
The narrative of a young boy’s journey through a mystical forest paints an uncluttered picture of postcolonial Nigerian life. Despite my preference for complex prose, this simple storytelling evokes memories of time spent in my ancestral village, listening to tales told by the elders. Tutuola’s writing style, influenced by oral tradition, captivated my imagination,…
From J.S.'s list on a vividly accurate picture of the rich culture and history of Nigerian Peoples.
This book is a phantasmagorical trip. This was one of the first, if not the first, African novel to be written in English.
The language, told in a broken English that is nonetheless poetic, (Tutuola’s education was incomplete) adds to the surreal nature of the story. I like it because it is the kind of story I grew up listening to: tales of people venturing into the forest and the wondrous adventures they have therein.
The basic premise goes thus: When war comes to a Nigerian village, a young boy and his brother flee into the forest and begin a…
From Tobi's list on modern mythology and folktale for the curious.
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