African Novel of Ideas: Philosophy and Individualism in the Age of Global Writing

The African Novel of Ideas explores the role of the philosophical novel and philosophy in African intellectual life from the early twentieth century to the present, examining works from the Gold Coast, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. It assesses the push and pull of subjective experience and abstract thought and redefines the place of the African experience within literary history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The African Novel of Ideas delves into the profound connection between the African novel and African philosophy across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This captivating exploration examines the role of the philosophical novel and the broader significance of philosophy in the intellectual tapestry of the African continent. From the early twentieth century to the present day, the novel sheds light on how writers such as J. E. Casely Hayford, Imraan Coovadia, Tendai Huchu, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, and Stanlake Samkange have skillfully reconciled profound contemplation with their social contexts.

In her groundbreaking work, Jeanne-Marie Jackson offers a fresh and insightful approach to reading and understanding African literature. Jackson's journey begins with the anticolonial worldliness of Fante in prenationalist Ghana, traverses the efforts to systematize Shona philosophy in the 1970s Zimbabwe, explores the Ugandan novel Kintu as a treatise on pluralistic rationality, and culminates in the examination of "philosophical suicide" by contemporary southern African writers. Throughout this captivating narrative, Jackson meticulously charts the evolution of philosophy from a dominant to a marginal presence in African literary discourse over the past hundred years. She also delves into the intricate interplay between subjective experience and abstract thought, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape African literary and philosophical discourse.

The African Novel of Ideas stands as the first significant transnational exploration of African literature in dialogue with philosophy. By reimagining the place of the African experience within literary history, this groundbreaking work redefines our understanding of the continent's literary heritage. Through its meticulous analysis and insightful interpretations, The African Novel of Ideas provides a rich and multifaceted perspective on the enduring legacy of African philosophy and literature, offering a valuable contribution to the field of African Studies.

Weight: 350g
Dimension: 234 x 155 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691186450