Kindred Spirits: Chinua Achebe and Toni Morrison

Chinua Achebe, the father of modern African literature, and Toni Morrison are explored in depth in Christopher Okonkwo's book Kindred Spirits. It is the first comparative study of the two writers, looking at their personal backgrounds, career histories, artistic visions, and life philosophies. It pairs a trilogy of novels by each author, analyzing them through villagism as century-spanning village literature that looks to the local to reveal the universal.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, renowned for his influential work "Things Fall Apart," is widely regarded as the father of modern African literature. Another esteemed writer, Toni Morrison, has acknowledged the profound impact of Achebe's writings on her own literary creations. Despite their significant contributions, there has been a lack of a comprehensive book that delves into the intricate connections between Morrison and Achebe.

In his groundbreaking work "Kindred Spirits," Christopher Okonkwo presents the first comparative study of Morrison and Achebe. Through a comprehensive examination of their oeuvres, Okonkwo explores the profound relations between the personal backgrounds, career histories, artistic visions, and life philosophies of these two literary giants. What emerges is a fascinating discovery of striking parallels between Achebe and Morrison.

To further enhance the analysis, Okonkwo pairs a trilogy of novels by each author: Achebe's "Things Fall Apart," "No Longer at Ease," and "Arrow of God," alongside Morrison's "Beloved," "Jazz," and "Paradise." He delves into these two sequences with a unique perspective, theorizing them as "villagism," a century-spanning village literature that seeks to reveal the universal through the local.

Okonkwo's meticulous analysis of these two literary sequences is a testament to his scholarly expertise and deep understanding of African literature. Through his meticulous research and insightful interpretations, he offers readers a fresh and compelling perspective on the rich tapestry of African writing. "Kindred Spirits" is a groundbreaking work that will undoubtedly inspire scholars, students, and enthusiasts of literature alike.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813947112