56 pages • 1 hour read
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'oDevil on the Cross
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Devil on the Cross, a 1980 novel by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, follows Jacinta Wariinga as she attends the "Devil’s Feast," a gathering highlighting the exploitation of Kenya by Western capitalism and the local bourgeoisie. Through her journey, the novel explores themes of economic class, social justice, and resistance. Readers may encounter sensitive topics such as sexual exploitation and economic oppression.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's Devil on the Cross is widely praised for its powerful critique of post-colonial Kenya and its vibrant use of Gikuyu oral traditions. Its allegorical nature and rich symbolism resonate well, though some readers find its heavy-handed political messages and dense prose challenging. Overall, it is considered a significant work in African literature.
Who Should Read Devil on the Cross?
Readers who seek a powerful critique of neo-colonialism, capitalism, and social injustice will relish Devil on the Cross by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o. Comparable to works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Gabriel García Márquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude, it appeals to enthusiasts of post-colonial and political literature.