As Long As Trees Take Root in the Earth: and Other Poems

Congolese poet Alain Mabanckou's poetry collection evokes nostalgia for an African childhood, urging his compatriots to embrace a new era of self-determination and pay tribute to the regenerative power of nature. Despite being declared persona non grata in his homeland, his poetry exudes hope that nature's resilience will lead humankind to redemption and reconciliation.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 124 pages
\n Publication date: 15 August 2021
\n Publisher: Seagull Books London Ltd
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A captivating poetry collection by Congolese poet Alain Mabanckou, infused with a musical essence. These poignant poems by novelist and essayist Alain Mabanckou transport readers to a nostalgic African childhood, where the fauna, flora, sounds, and scents evoke cherished memories of a bygone era. Mabanckou's poetry is candid and direct, urging his compatriots to break free from the grip of civil wars and political upheavals that have ravaged their country. He advocates for a new era of self-determination, where the village roosters can once again sing in harmony. These beautifully translated texts, supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, are presented in English for the first time. Within these pages, Mabanckou pays tribute to his beloved mother and the rejuvenating power of nature, particularly trees, whose roots symbolize the poet's deep connections to his birthplace's red earth. The yearning for his ancestral land becomes even more poignant as he has been declared persona non grata in his homeland, now known as Congo-Brazzaville, due to his critical remarks about the country's regime. Despite these obstacles, Mabanckou's poetry exudes a profound hope that nature's resilience will guide humanity toward redemption and reconciliation.

\n Weight: 354g\n
Dimension: 168 x 236 x 18 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780857428776\n \n