RETURN TO THE SHADOWS

by Robert Serumaga ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1970

Robert Serumaga is an economist, born in Africa and educated in Europe. So is Joe Musizi, his central character in this short novel, running away on the road with his houseboy, Simon, after the most recent coup d'etat which will be as short-lived as its predecessors. Not that Joe hasn't been able to profit by them--he's a rather self-serving liberal. But he's afraid of the shadows--they speak to him and remind him of past loyalties and decencies. Now he goes to his mother's house; she's been raped and her children killed but he refuses to stay with her to bury the dead. He returns to the city ostensibly for retribution but recognizes his real obligations by the close. Mr. Serumaga's no Chinua Achebe but he makes his point in a somewhat didactic and dreary fashion. In the emergent Africa, much that is human is indeed lost but what will redeem it here?

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: FICTION