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This Side Jordan
In 1957, the British colony of the Gold Coast broke free to become the independent nation of Ghana. Margaret Laurence’s first novel, This Side Jordan, recreates that colour-drenched world: a place where men and women struggle with self-betrayal, self-discovery, and the dawning of political pride.
This Side Jordan transcends the traditional limits of the first novel. Its powerful and compassionate characterizations and its themes of exile and community anticipate the five later novels that make up Laurence’s acclaimed Manawaka series. A major work of lasting significance, This Side Jordan creates echoes in the mind of the reader as resonant as the drums of Ghana.
This Side Jordan transcends the traditional limits of the first novel. Its powerful and compassionate characterizations and its themes of exile and community anticipate the five later novels that make up Laurence’s acclaimed Manawaka series. A major work of lasting significance, This Side Jordan creates echoes in the mind of the reader as resonant as the drums of Ghana.
281 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1960
8 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Laurence
48 books407 followersCanada's classic authoress was born Jean Margaret Wemyss on July 18, 1926 in the prairie town of Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada. Her Mom, Verna, passed away early. Her Aunt Margaret helped her Father take care of her for a year, then they married and had a Son. Their Father died two years afterwards. Aunt Margaret was a Mother to her, raising the kids in theirr maternal Grandfather's home.
Margaret wrote stories in elementary school. Her professional writing career began in 1943 with a job at the town newspaper and continued in 1944, when she entered the Honours English program at Winnipeg's United College (University Of Winnipeg.) After graduating in 1947, she was hired as a reporter for The Winnipeg Citizen. That year, she married Jack Laurence, a civil engineer.
Jack's profession took the couple to England, Somalia, and eventually Ghana, where Margaret gained an appreciation for Africa and the storytelling traditions of its peoples. It was in Africa that their children, Jocelyn and David, were born, and when Margaret began to work seriously on her writing. Her book of essays about and translations of Somali poetry and prose was published in 1954 as A Tree for Poverty. A collection of short stories, The Tomorrow-Tamer, as well as a novel, This Side Jordan (both focusing on African subjects) were published after Margaret returned home to Canada. Her fiction was thereafter concerned with Canadian subjects, but she maintained her interest in African literature and in 1968 published a critical analysis of Nigerian literature, Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists 1952-1966. Present in her African works is a concern with the ethical dilemma of being a white colonialist living in colonial Africa.
In 1957, Margaret and her family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, for five years. In 1962, Margaret & Jack divorced. She moved to London, England for a year, followed by a cottage in Buckinghamshire for ten years, although she visited Canada often. During this period, Margaret wrote her first works with Canadian subject matter.
"The Stone Angel" was published in 1964, and was the first of her "Manawaka novels", the fictional prairie community modelled after her hometown of Neepawa, Manitoba. It was followed by "A Jest Of God" in 1966 (for which she won her first Governor General's Award,) "The Fire-Dwellers" in 1969, and "A Bird In The House" in 1970. Margaret received critical and commercial acclaim in Canada and in 1971, was honoured by being named a Companion to the Order of Canada.
In the early 1970s, she returned to Canada and settled in Lakefield, Ontario. She continued to write and was writer-in-residence at the University Of Toronto, the University Of Western Ontario, and Trent University. In 1974, Margaret completed her final novel, "The Diviners", for which she received the Governor General's Award and the Molson Prize. It was followed by a book of essays, Heart Of A Stranger" in 1976 and several children's books: "Jason's Quest", "The Olden-Days Coat", "Six Darn Cows", and "The Christmas Birthday Story". Her autobiography "Dance On The Earth" was published in 1987.
Margaret died on January 5, 1987 at her home in Lakefield, after learning her lung cancer diagnosis was terminal. She is buried in Neepawa Cemetery, a few metres from the stone angel which inspired her novel.
Margaret wrote stories in elementary school. Her professional writing career began in 1943 with a job at the town newspaper and continued in 1944, when she entered the Honours English program at Winnipeg's United College (University Of Winnipeg.) After graduating in 1947, she was hired as a reporter for The Winnipeg Citizen. That year, she married Jack Laurence, a civil engineer.
Jack's profession took the couple to England, Somalia, and eventually Ghana, where Margaret gained an appreciation for Africa and the storytelling traditions of its peoples. It was in Africa that their children, Jocelyn and David, were born, and when Margaret began to work seriously on her writing. Her book of essays about and translations of Somali poetry and prose was published in 1954 as A Tree for Poverty. A collection of short stories, The Tomorrow-Tamer, as well as a novel, This Side Jordan (both focusing on African subjects) were published after Margaret returned home to Canada. Her fiction was thereafter concerned with Canadian subjects, but she maintained her interest in African literature and in 1968 published a critical analysis of Nigerian literature, Long Drums and Cannons: Nigerian Dramatists and Novelists 1952-1966. Present in her African works is a concern with the ethical dilemma of being a white colonialist living in colonial Africa.
In 1957, Margaret and her family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, for five years. In 1962, Margaret & Jack divorced. She moved to London, England for a year, followed by a cottage in Buckinghamshire for ten years, although she visited Canada often. During this period, Margaret wrote her first works with Canadian subject matter.
"The Stone Angel" was published in 1964, and was the first of her "Manawaka novels", the fictional prairie community modelled after her hometown of Neepawa, Manitoba. It was followed by "A Jest Of God" in 1966 (for which she won her first Governor General's Award,) "The Fire-Dwellers" in 1969, and "A Bird In The House" in 1970. Margaret received critical and commercial acclaim in Canada and in 1971, was honoured by being named a Companion to the Order of Canada.
In the early 1970s, she returned to Canada and settled in Lakefield, Ontario. She continued to write and was writer-in-residence at the University Of Toronto, the University Of Western Ontario, and Trent University. In 1974, Margaret completed her final novel, "The Diviners", for which she received the Governor General's Award and the Molson Prize. It was followed by a book of essays, Heart Of A Stranger" in 1976 and several children's books: "Jason's Quest", "The Olden-Days Coat", "Six Darn Cows", and "The Christmas Birthday Story". Her autobiography "Dance On The Earth" was published in 1987.
Margaret died on January 5, 1987 at her home in Lakefield, after learning her lung cancer diagnosis was terminal. She is buried in Neepawa Cemetery, a few metres from the stone angel which inspired her novel.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 25, 2013
Having lived ten years in Ghana I was curious to read this novel set just prior to Independence in 1957. It did not disappoint - though I am not Ghanaian and also experienced the country as a keen outsider. Laurence's interlinked protagonists - the Ghanaian Nathaniel and the unlikeable racist Johnnie - show the rifts between burgeoning modernity and deep-set tradition in the colonial country, including glimpses of forward-thinking on both sides. The wives of both protagonists are expecting their first children, the corrupt and whiney colonials are about to be ousted by a wave of 'Africanisation', and anguished Nathaniel must decide whether to reject the religion and conniving ways of his foreign masters, or return to the forest gods of his Drummer father - and a host of village practices he finds repellent and backward. Nathaniel's search for this path takes him to the edge of risk and loss, and Laurence capably - without extremism - negotiates the powerful forces at work.
June 11, 2015
I harmonize two thoughts, to emphasize the rare vantage point Margaret Laurence made possible in “This Side Jordan”, 1960. My brother has toured Africa extensively but can only react as a visitor. Next, consider as an example the film “Contact”. The galaxy is so glorious, the actress laments: “They should have sent a poet”! Margaret can explain things Canadians would wonder about, as a seven-year resident of Ghana and Somaliland. Most extraordinarily, she was there during their most transformative political shift. Imagine the advantage: highly notable history was witnessed and recorded by a dually-informed witness; who is also an author of unparalleled insight with words! Readers can visualize the complex metamorphosis that Ghana underwent.
Her vehicle is a couple: raised in fetish villages, educated by missionaries, who struggle to succeed in Accra. Aya’s Mother perpetuates tradition while Nathaniel is progressive but lacks the income and confidence to move forward. His school is rundown, the headmaster stingy, and pupils ill-prepared because the school has no decent curriculum to teach. Nathaniel’s Father having been an exalted village drummer, creates a turmoil regarding Christianity against betrayal of community; resulting in fealty to none. Misunderstanding from background, self-esteem, or poor education imposes drama on all sides in this novel.
An English firm forced to Africanize employees, shows how tricky it is for foreigners to succeed in Accra too. Africans loathe whites but beg for a ‘dash’ and for jobs. Villagers beseech city relatives for money that doesn’t exist. European houses are inadequate too. Perceptions of everyone’s wealth are distorted. My favourite is Miranda, wife of a firm coordinator. She considers everyone equal but is misunderstood by Nathaniel. He seethes about feeling like a zoo exhibit although Miranda’s eager interest in their environs is heartfelt. Readers root for both couples to attain contentment and peace.
Her vehicle is a couple: raised in fetish villages, educated by missionaries, who struggle to succeed in Accra. Aya’s Mother perpetuates tradition while Nathaniel is progressive but lacks the income and confidence to move forward. His school is rundown, the headmaster stingy, and pupils ill-prepared because the school has no decent curriculum to teach. Nathaniel’s Father having been an exalted village drummer, creates a turmoil regarding Christianity against betrayal of community; resulting in fealty to none. Misunderstanding from background, self-esteem, or poor education imposes drama on all sides in this novel.
An English firm forced to Africanize employees, shows how tricky it is for foreigners to succeed in Accra too. Africans loathe whites but beg for a ‘dash’ and for jobs. Villagers beseech city relatives for money that doesn’t exist. European houses are inadequate too. Perceptions of everyone’s wealth are distorted. My favourite is Miranda, wife of a firm coordinator. She considers everyone equal but is misunderstood by Nathaniel. He seethes about feeling like a zoo exhibit although Miranda’s eager interest in their environs is heartfelt. Readers root for both couples to attain contentment and peace.
June 13, 2017
I didn't know what to expect with this book but I loved it. Laurence seemed to be almost prophetic in her writing about the 'Africanization' of colonial Africa. This book is concerned with the time period leading up to the independence of Ghana after being a British colony. The thoughts and feelings of the British as they were being replaced and those of the Ghanaians was most interesting.
February 17, 2015
A very good novel about Ghana on the eve of her Independence in 1957.
July 21, 2024
The structure and depth of This Side Jordan are seriously impressive for a debut novel. There are elements I love in Laurence’s later work which appear here. Most salient to me is her ability to draw out the tipping point of the novel, the moment (in this case) in which the characters act according to their nature despite trying to avoid doing so for the entire story. The historical significance of this novel is not understated, and the two main characters (one a Ghanaian man and the other English) reflect the complexities of the struggle for African independence. Once again I am left extremely impressed with Laurence’s writing.
October 15, 2021
Terrific first book! Set in 1957 and written in 1960
September 9, 2017
This was a great opportunity to learn a little bit about modern history of Ghana. The characters, language, and situations seemed very real. I enjoyed the action as well as a subtle humor. It is a good read!
Want to read
August 3, 2010NCL.2006-10-01
June 6, 2017
Nice mix of history and fiction, from inside the head of two protagonists.
May 4, 2023
As a huge fan of Margaret Laurence, it’s embarrassing that I haven’t read this early novel until now. She’s every bit as good at getting inside the heads of these characters, both British expats and Ghananese as she is in her later Canadian books, and she illuminates Ghana on the cusp of independence with the same insight with which she opened up readers to the world of small prairie towns in her Manawanka novels.
Even in 1960, Laurence wondered at her audacity at writing partly from the viewpoint of a black African man, something no author today would dare, but her portrait of Nathaniel shows an intuitive understanding of the internal conflicts he experiences, caught between being educated in a Christian school and wanting to take his place in ‘modern’ society and his recognition of what he has lost in breaking his connection with his origins. And colonialism has similarly trapped the British characters in the novel, who are about to lose their place in a changing society. Excellent book.
Even in 1960, Laurence wondered at her audacity at writing partly from the viewpoint of a black African man, something no author today would dare, but her portrait of Nathaniel shows an intuitive understanding of the internal conflicts he experiences, caught between being educated in a Christian school and wanting to take his place in ‘modern’ society and his recognition of what he has lost in breaking his connection with his origins. And colonialism has similarly trapped the British characters in the novel, who are about to lose their place in a changing society. Excellent book.
January 30, 2019
There are some weaker parts in this novel, as could be expected with most authors' first ones. However, Margaret Laurence skilfully displays the inner turmoils which must have been felt by millions of Africans, torn between the way of life and gods they knew growing up, and the hopes of independance/decolonization facing them under the new god imposed upon them in school. Ghana shortly before 1957, in Accra, seems therefore perfectly described.
April 8, 2019
On the surface, This Side Jordan is about Gold Coast (Ghana) as it approaches independence in 1957. In addition to capturing this place and period in history, Laurence has provided a vivid description of humanity struggling with change. Both expats and Ghanaians see the world as they have known it disappearing, but Laurence tells a story that, despite the turmoil, despite human failings, points to hope for future generations rather than despair about what has been lost.
Read
August 10, 2022The debut novel by Margaret Laurence. We took the country for its riches and gave it a name Gold Coast then we gave it its independence back as Ghana. We are so arrogant.
P. 212
“How could the whiteman know? He could not know. He had everything. For him, tomorrow was now. How could he know what it was to need a mouthful of the promised land’s sweetness now, now, while you still lived?”
P. 212
“How could the whiteman know? He could not know. He had everything. For him, tomorrow was now. How could he know what it was to need a mouthful of the promised land’s sweetness now, now, while you still lived?”
August 29, 2023
Looovved this book.
Great characters.
Great characters.
October 22, 2025
Stunning first novel by Laurence. The author creates a vivid world where characters and cultures clash with authentic dialog and plotting. it's an achievement all around.
November 27, 2020
Another Margaret Laurence off the list, with no signs of not reading more. True royalty of Can-Lit, I would never guess this was her first novel. And so relevant, at times I forgot it was a work of fiction. Watching the rise of Ghana's independence and Africanisation from the eyes of white British wealth and black African working class could not have been written with better grit and class.
A+ for this one. A+, indeed
A+ for this one. A+, indeed
October 3, 2013
Insight into "africanization" along the Gold Coast, phasing out of the British and their comfortable and protected lifestyle.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews