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The Mzungu Boy
For Kariuki, life in a small village in Kenya is one great adventure. The best part of his day is the walk home from school, when he is free from both his bullying headmaster and his mother’s long list of chores. The landscape around his village is beautifully wild, and Kariuki knows it well. One day Kariuki meets Nigel, a boy from England who has come to visit his grandfather, the fearsome Bwana Ruin, who owns the farm where the villagers work. The villagers call Nigel the mzungu boy (westerner), and view him with suspicion and fear, but not Kariuki.
One day the boys decide to hunt down the meanest warthog in the forest. The hunt takes them deeper into the jungle than Kariuki has ever gone, and all at once his beloved forest becomes a frightening place. Dangerous creatures live in the jungle, including the mau-mau, the men with guns who are plotting against Bwana Ruin and the white soldiers. And when Nigel suddenly disappears, will Kariuki be able to save his friend?
In this novel, the author captures a time of innocence, wild beauty, and the growing violence that eventually changed the entire structure of colonial Africa.
One day the boys decide to hunt down the meanest warthog in the forest. The hunt takes them deeper into the jungle than Kariuki has ever gone, and all at once his beloved forest becomes a frightening place. Dangerous creatures live in the jungle, including the mau-mau, the men with guns who are plotting against Bwana Ruin and the white soldiers. And when Nigel suddenly disappears, will Kariuki be able to save his friend?
In this novel, the author captures a time of innocence, wild beauty, and the growing violence that eventually changed the entire structure of colonial Africa.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
11 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
About the author
Meja Mwangi
39 books107 followersMeja Mwangi began his writing career in the 1970s, a decade after his more well-known compatriots such as Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Grace Ogot had been publishing their works. When he burst onto the scene with the award-winning Kill Me Quick in 1973, Mwangi was hailed in various quarters as a rising star in the East African literary constellation who was helping to disprove Taban lo Liyong's oft-cited claim that East Africa was a literary desert (Taban 1965, Nazareth 1976). Since then, Meja Mwangi has gone on to establish himself as one of the most prolific of Kenyan writers, publishing eleven novels in seventeen years in addition to short stories, children's books and working with a variety of projects in film. Mwangi's works have received awards in Kenya and abroad, they have been translated into six languages, and there are film versions of two of his novels.
For many Kenyan writers, the armed resistance to British colonialism in Kenya, which came to be known as the Mau Mau revolt and reached its height in the 1950s, was a far-reaching experience. [Meja Mwangi' Mau Mau novel] Weapon of Hunger is perhaps [his] best book yet. The picture he paints of the relentless quest for modern Africa is grim. What is most depressing, is that there seem to be no solutions. Western philanthropists, such as Jack Rivers, are portrayed in a favourable light as sincere people. All their energies, however, are expended on trying to understand Africa's problems and once they understand them they realise that the problems are beyond them. As for the Africans themselves, they could have provided solutions, but since they are lined up in warring factions, that is impossible. While the two sides fight on to the finish, will million of ordinary people continue to starve to dead? That is the questions which Meja Mwangi asks himself and which he asks the readers of Weapon.
(Excerpt from: Lynn Mansure, Weekly Review)
For many Kenyan writers, the armed resistance to British colonialism in Kenya, which came to be known as the Mau Mau revolt and reached its height in the 1950s, was a far-reaching experience. [Meja Mwangi' Mau Mau novel] Weapon of Hunger is perhaps [his] best book yet. The picture he paints of the relentless quest for modern Africa is grim. What is most depressing, is that there seem to be no solutions. Western philanthropists, such as Jack Rivers, are portrayed in a favourable light as sincere people. All their energies, however, are expended on trying to understand Africa's problems and once they understand them they realise that the problems are beyond them. As for the Africans themselves, they could have provided solutions, but since they are lined up in warring factions, that is impossible. While the two sides fight on to the finish, will million of ordinary people continue to starve to dead? That is the questions which Meja Mwangi asks himself and which he asks the readers of Weapon.
(Excerpt from: Lynn Mansure, Weekly Review)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 4, 2016
My favourite characters in this story were Jimi the dog, and Lesson One. This book is a classic masterpiece and one of the funniest LOL historically accurate books I have ever read. It spans the (mis)adventures of Kariuki and Nigel (the little white man or mzungu boy) while tensions mount in the country due to the growing Mau Mau rebellion of the 50s-60s. Never has there been a more entertaining story about the way of life while still portraying the ongoing struggle for independence from British rule in Kenya.
This book is a must read for any lover of Kenyan literature. And anyone who knows what it was like to have a headmaster like Lesson One.
This book is a must read for any lover of Kenyan literature. And anyone who knows what it was like to have a headmaster like Lesson One.
Did not finish
July 4, 2018 D.N.F. at page 120 ( East African Reading Project: Kenya)
This started out great and had so much potential since we follow a young Kenyan boy during The Mau Mau revolution but it lacked depth. If you are looking for a fun short read about Kenya's history this one is for you but you won't get the emotional depth
This started out great and had so much potential since we follow a young Kenyan boy during The Mau Mau revolution but it lacked depth. If you are looking for a fun short read about Kenya's history this one is for you but you won't get the emotional depth
February 6, 2025
Heartbreaking
September 19, 2023
The book was very suspecting at the start. It coaxed me in to read more. It engaged me. The ending was quite emotional, as it illustrated the deaths of beloved ones. I loved the character of Bwana Ruin and Lesson One as they were very dead on strict, and very disciplined. The only criticism I have is the almost confusing start. As a young reader, I didn’t understand the italics in Afrikaans. Apart from that, the book was enticing and a definite recommendation.
February 2, 2026
A great story,simply told, of the life, relationship and the way colonial masters had the locals by neck.
But as adults set boundaries, labels and other laws around themselves, making one the king and the other a pauper, a boy from one side of this divide meets another one from the other side.
Their adventures break that which adults have erected, and that friendship knows no bounds.
Risking everything, the forge on and explore the world beyond the confines of that which adults have set.
But as adults set boundaries, labels and other laws around themselves, making one the king and the other a pauper, a boy from one side of this divide meets another one from the other side.
Their adventures break that which adults have erected, and that friendship knows no bounds.
Risking everything, the forge on and explore the world beyond the confines of that which adults have set.
October 10, 2023
This is a story of a boy in a slum who makes friends with a mzungu (Nigel). I think at the beginning of the novel it was quite slow. Once it sped up, however, it got to be an interesting book but I didn't like the ending so much as it was too emotional for my liking. Overall, though I think it was quite a good book.
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!
September 20, 2023
This book was extremly enjoyable to read. My favourite chacter would have to be jimi. The book has humerous asspects but some areas were repetitive and confusing, the book is highly discriptive and clearly a lot of effort has been put into the book. I think this book is for a specifc genre of readers and some people suit this genre better than others that means others don't find it as gripping as Meja Mwangi would want.
This book is a good book to bring children from ks2 to ks3 and get them used to that language. This book is an eye-opener about African history and bringing awearness to what Africa faced. I would recomend this book to friends and family. This style of book will go far with it's insparational message, although the genre donsn't suit everyones style of book to read. I enjoyed it but some won't always enjoy this style of writing. However, this book is a great book to read, yet some won't find it as enjoyable.
This book is a good book to bring children from ks2 to ks3 and get them used to that language. This book is an eye-opener about African history and bringing awearness to what Africa faced. I would recomend this book to friends and family. This style of book will go far with it's insparational message, although the genre donsn't suit everyones style of book to read. I enjoyed it but some won't always enjoy this style of writing. However, this book is a great book to read, yet some won't find it as enjoyable.
September 20, 2023
The Mzungu Boy written by Meja Mwangi is a very interesting, quick to read book. I read it in only 2 days and was a great book. I decided to rate it a three because I enjoyed the general story and relationship between Nigel (the Mzungu boy) and Kariuki (the protagonist.) However, It is not the full 5 stars as I'm still not to sure about the end of the book, all the Jimi's are quote confusing as I keep forgetting whether they are dogs or actual people. There were also quite a few spelling mistakes. Overall it is a great book but it could be improved. :D
September 17, 2023
3.75stars!
Mzungu boy was an enjoyable read. It was a good book of friendship and struggles. I really enjoyed reading this book (especially about the Jimis!). I thought the description was great and I loved Old Moses. I think my favourite bit is when Kariuki climbs up into the tree and sees all he fishing hooks, that's the section that sticks in my head the most. I can just imagine all the hooks caught in the tree and feel the texture. My only criticism is that some bits of the book are quite repetitive. I think this was a good read and is an entertaining bit of writing. Meja Mwangi has done well.
Mzungu boy was an enjoyable read. It was a good book of friendship and struggles. I really enjoyed reading this book (especially about the Jimis!). I thought the description was great and I loved Old Moses. I think my favourite bit is when Kariuki climbs up into the tree and sees all he fishing hooks, that's the section that sticks in my head the most. I can just imagine all the hooks caught in the tree and feel the texture. My only criticism is that some bits of the book are quite repetitive. I think this was a good read and is an entertaining bit of writing. Meja Mwangi has done well.
December 21, 2023
Really good. It made me feel worried about Bwana Ruin's rage and it felt more intense when Nigel was lost. I haven't enjoyed a proper book as much as this. It made me really excited to read every time I picked up the book. I always wanted to read more. I wanted to see what would happen. The ending displayed a big shock to me.
July 7, 2023
A touching story of friendship across racial/cultural lines that couldn't be written today.
Mwangi's 1995 young adult novel "The Mzungu Boy" (the little white boy) could not be written in 2023. I read this with my 12yo son as part of his summer reading assignments, and I'm convinced there's no way a tale this sincere or honest could be written now.
Taking place in 1950s British Colonial Africa (Kenya specifically), the book is told from the POV of village boy Kariuki as he attends school, Catholic mass, and his family and village all work under the authority of white farmowner Bwana Ruin tending to the latter's farm.
There's an undercurrent of rebellion as the "people of the forest" (Mau Maus) that creates tension between the village and the Bwana, resulting in periodic raids on the village by British troops.
This is just one sort of injustice that Kariuki experiences, and it's unique in that it doesn't occupy a special place in his narrative. He also suffers at the hands of his father, his older brother, his schoolmaster, and older students from rival villages. As he explains, village boys occupy the lowest position, lower than sheep or livestock and barely co-equal with dogs. So it is with dogs (collectively named Jimis) that we spend a lot of our time.
Kariuki soon befriends Nigel, the white grandson of Bwana Ruin, and the two form a fast friendship born of innocence and ignorance as Nigel has no knowledge of the real wilderness while Kariuki comes to realize that the whites aren't mystical or magical, that they can't see in the dark, can't read men's minds, and might not be as different or alien as he had been taught.
As the boys go hunting, fishing, and traipsing around (in quite enjoyable descriptive passages) the growing unease Kariuki's father has with his son's new friend (or rather, his new friend's grandfather) and the ever present eyes of the Mau Maus in the forest builds in the reader an uncertainty and dread that SOMETHING bad with happen. This is a youth novel, after all, and lessons need to be learned dammit.
Fortunately, those lessons don't come at the expense of the boys' basic decency and humanity. It's sad to say, but had this been written in 2023, it would be easy to see where a more "socially justice" minded Western author would take the narrative - i.e., lots of authorial inserts about colonialism, white devils, tribal exoticism, etc. All of that would be at the expense of story, character, and all in pursuit of THE NARRATIVE.
Mercifully, this almost quaint 1995 novel doesn't go that route and let's its characters be truthful to themselves rather than a presentist ideology, and the story is more hopeful and memorable because of it.
Mwangi's 1995 young adult novel "The Mzungu Boy" (the little white boy) could not be written in 2023. I read this with my 12yo son as part of his summer reading assignments, and I'm convinced there's no way a tale this sincere or honest could be written now.
Taking place in 1950s British Colonial Africa (Kenya specifically), the book is told from the POV of village boy Kariuki as he attends school, Catholic mass, and his family and village all work under the authority of white farmowner Bwana Ruin tending to the latter's farm.
There's an undercurrent of rebellion as the "people of the forest" (Mau Maus) that creates tension between the village and the Bwana, resulting in periodic raids on the village by British troops.
This is just one sort of injustice that Kariuki experiences, and it's unique in that it doesn't occupy a special place in his narrative. He also suffers at the hands of his father, his older brother, his schoolmaster, and older students from rival villages. As he explains, village boys occupy the lowest position, lower than sheep or livestock and barely co-equal with dogs. So it is with dogs (collectively named Jimis) that we spend a lot of our time.
Kariuki soon befriends Nigel, the white grandson of Bwana Ruin, and the two form a fast friendship born of innocence and ignorance as Nigel has no knowledge of the real wilderness while Kariuki comes to realize that the whites aren't mystical or magical, that they can't see in the dark, can't read men's minds, and might not be as different or alien as he had been taught.
As the boys go hunting, fishing, and traipsing around (in quite enjoyable descriptive passages) the growing unease Kariuki's father has with his son's new friend (or rather, his new friend's grandfather) and the ever present eyes of the Mau Maus in the forest builds in the reader an uncertainty and dread that SOMETHING bad with happen. This is a youth novel, after all, and lessons need to be learned dammit.
Fortunately, those lessons don't come at the expense of the boys' basic decency and humanity. It's sad to say, but had this been written in 2023, it would be easy to see where a more "socially justice" minded Western author would take the narrative - i.e., lots of authorial inserts about colonialism, white devils, tribal exoticism, etc. All of that would be at the expense of story, character, and all in pursuit of THE NARRATIVE.
Mercifully, this almost quaint 1995 novel doesn't go that route and let's its characters be truthful to themselves rather than a presentist ideology, and the story is more hopeful and memorable because of it.
October 12, 2023
Mzungu boy by Meja Mwangi was an amazing read, but personally I believe that the violence distracts all the themes, believes, relationships etc. I do think that without all the violence the book would not be as interesting and as deep as it is. I have found that i have a connection with the characters and seeing them hurt, angry and feeling a variety of emotions makes me feel them too. I honestly love this book and i love that it is based of history. What really happened has baffled me.
Well done Meja Mwangi! I really recommend this book.
(No spoilers for those who haven't read it)
Well done Meja Mwangi! I really recommend this book.
(No spoilers for those who haven't read it)
October 6, 2023
It was a really good book would highly recommend.
June 3, 2019
Het boek begint met de groeiende angst van de jonge Karioeki over dat zijn leven moeilijker zal worden, met de Mau-Mau, Keniaanse rebellen die strijden tegen Britse landeigenaren die enorme problemen in zijn dorp veroorzaken. Karioeki's leven is gevuld met geweld en onrecht. Karioeki is zich bewust van het risico van een opgewekte blanke jongen, Nigel, maar hij wordt hoe dan ook bevriend met hem. De jongens delen een fascinatie voor het land, dieren en avontuur. Beide jongens zijn eerst wat kortzichtig ten opzichte van de wereld van de ander, maar ze leren steeds meer van elkaar en zo groeit er wederzijds respect.
Dit aangrijpende verhaal biedt lezers inzicht in de koloniale geschiedenis van Afrika en de littekens die deze geschiedenis heeft achtergelaten bij de inwoners. Het lezen van dit boek verbreedt het begrip voor racisme. Ook creëert het een bewustzijn van hoe deze onderdrukking nog steeds bestaat. Dit boek leest makkelijk weg en draagt een waardevolle boodschap. Het lijkt mij een uiterst geschikt boek voor in het onderwijs.
Dit aangrijpende verhaal biedt lezers inzicht in de koloniale geschiedenis van Afrika en de littekens die deze geschiedenis heeft achtergelaten bij de inwoners. Het lezen van dit boek verbreedt het begrip voor racisme. Ook creëert het een bewustzijn van hoe deze onderdrukking nog steeds bestaat. Dit boek leest makkelijk weg en draagt een waardevolle boodschap. Het lijkt mij een uiterst geschikt boek voor in het onderwijs.
September 26, 2023
The Mzungu Boy is a very good book. I love how it tells the story of the life of Kariuki and Nigel, how it emphasises the sections it needs to and does it really well. My favourite chapter was definitely where they hunted old Moses for the second time. Towards the end of that chapter, where Kariuki and Nigel get lost in the forest was definitely the best executed part in the book. As you as the reader can feel the fear that Kariuki is feeling, the fear in his stomach as the buffalo charges through the woods. Overall i enjoyed reading The Mzungu Boy and it really made me feel the emotions that the characters were feeling in the moment especially when Hari passed.
October 1, 2023
The mzungu boy is an amazing book for people aged 10+. I loved how many twists and turns there were in the novel! You could really feel that 'no one is safe ' vibe looming over the book.
When my teacher told me to read this I honestly thought 'nah' because I wanted a more 'fun' cover. When I eventually started reading it, it took me a chapter or two to really get into it, after that I finished it in one night.
I would really like to recommend this book for children over the age of 10, any younger could prove traumatising for a young child because of all the gore.
If I could recommend any book at this moment in time it would be this one.
-A
When my teacher told me to read this I honestly thought 'nah' because I wanted a more 'fun' cover. When I eventually started reading it, it took me a chapter or two to really get into it, after that I finished it in one night.
I would really like to recommend this book for children over the age of 10, any younger could prove traumatising for a young child because of all the gore.
If I could recommend any book at this moment in time it would be this one.
-A
May 14, 2020
I am not normally a person who enjoys reading children's book and for that reason, I was reluctant to pick this book.
I was wrong because my expectations were met and surpassed considering its a fictitious narration done by a class five boy before Kenya gained its independence.
I liked the simplicity of the language used in this book, the flow of the story, the thrill when Kariuki and Nigel go hunting and fishing. The writing style is something that also impressed me....the way Kariuki articulates his and jimi the dogs thoughts.
I would give it 4.2 stars and totally recommend.
I was wrong because my expectations were met and surpassed considering its a fictitious narration done by a class five boy before Kenya gained its independence.
I liked the simplicity of the language used in this book, the flow of the story, the thrill when Kariuki and Nigel go hunting and fishing. The writing style is something that also impressed me....the way Kariuki articulates his and jimi the dogs thoughts.
I would give it 4.2 stars and totally recommend.
May 2, 2021
**3.5 stars** I was looking for an African middle grade books and came across this one.
I had a range of feelings reading this story but what I experienced most was feeling frustrated by the boys' actions which frequently put them in danger. A lot of them time though, it was purely because childhood oblivion afforded them plenty opportunities to find themselves in situations adults fear and try to warn them about.
The story can be disturbing and so I wouldn't give this book to just any child. Overall, it was an insightful adventure.
I had a range of feelings reading this story but what I experienced most was feeling frustrated by the boys' actions which frequently put them in danger. A lot of them time though, it was purely because childhood oblivion afforded them plenty opportunities to find themselves in situations adults fear and try to warn them about.
The story can be disturbing and so I wouldn't give this book to just any child. Overall, it was an insightful adventure.
January 23, 2018
"They shot into the still pool and went round and round in the eddies without moving their feet until they reached the dark, quiet places where the water never moved."
Gorgeously written, although certainly a grim book in many ways, with pretty unflinching depictions of how native Kenyans were brutalized under a colonial system. Unfortunately, I successfully predicted a large amount of the book's plot arc, but that wasn't a huge problem for me. I really really liked this. 4.5 stars.
Gorgeously written, although certainly a grim book in many ways, with pretty unflinching depictions of how native Kenyans were brutalized under a colonial system. Unfortunately, I successfully predicted a large amount of the book's plot arc, but that wasn't a huge problem for me. I really really liked this. 4.5 stars.
September 24, 2023
This is an exceptional book by Meja Mwangi, no wonder its got a couple awards for it. I think the descriptives in the book are wonderful making the book exceptional. I think Kariuki’s mum and dad are nice parents. Kariuki and Nigel are very alike in what they enjoy. My only criticism is at the very start of the book I was slightly confused on what was going on, but after that the book became more enjoyable as the story went on. I loved when it suddenly changed from a happy story to an emotional story when Hari got killed by the soldier. Overall an amazing book to read and I hope Meja Mwangi will make more books like this.
September 28, 2020
The ending is very sad and there is a lot of violence. I was drawn in by the friendship of the boys and the plain way they spoke if and accepted injustices of the world. I do not know much about Kenya's history and so enjoyed the short explanation of the back to explain the situation
September 23, 2023
I thought this story was great story and I found it very interesting especially towards the end , I learnt a lot reading this book and really enjoyed it even thought it wouldn’t have been sometime I would read normally
July 24, 2017
Settler colonialism for young people. Justifiably a classic.
June 3, 2019
Vivid portrait of a boy and his world - the good and the bad.
June 23, 2020
Surprisingly violent. Didn't want to keep reading...
September 17, 2020
Meja has a way of capturing his readers attention. This was a page turner!loved it!!
April 22, 2022
Just very violent without having enough of a meaningful point to it (which is rather like most violence, I guess). Sad but I thought it was very well written.
January 1, 2012
Kariuki is a Kenyan boy who lives and works with his family on Bwana Ruin’s farm along with other villagers. Bwana Ruin has made all of the villagers believe that white people are somehow more important than brown people and that he’s a better boss than any of the other white landowners in Kenya. Then Bwana Ruin’s grandson, Nigel, comes to visit him on the farm and Nigel and Kariuki become friends. Although they come from different worlds they are soon inseparable.
Kariuki’s parents are particularly concerned about their friendship, as Bwana Ruin’s displeasure could cost them their jobs. Despite efforts to keep the boys apart, they sneak off to go hunting, fishing, swimming. When Kariuki can’t get away, Nigel comes to see him in the village and helps him with his chores, eats the ugali that Kariuki’s mother prepares them for lunch. The other villagers are completely fascinated by this – they still think that white people are something special and can’t fathom one doing normal people things.
Things come to a head when Nigel disappears one night while the boys are out hunting. Kariuki finds the two dogs that were with them – murdered – but not Nigel. And when he comes back to the village there are all sorts of questions he has to face. He lies to buy time, searching for his friend in the forest. When he finds him (tied up in the back of a cave), he learns Nigel is a prisoner of the Mau Mau, a group of forest people/Kenyans who want to take their land back from the white men. Kariuki’s brother, Hari, is a friend of these forest people. The boys manage to escape once, only to be caught again, and then Hari rescues them. Everyone is relieved to see them, and Kariuki is invited to Bwana Ruin’s home to tell them how he rescued Nigel. At that moment, soldiers arrive bearing the body of Kariuki’s brother – they ran him down and killed him as a terrorist.
There are hints throughout that Kariuki comes to understand white men and their world much better later on, in a time and place far away from these events that took place in his childhood. But it is his friendship with Nigel that helps bring him this understanding. Nigel, too, comes to understand something of Kenya and of Kariuki’s place in the world through their friendship.
I have been fascinated by Kenya after traveling around the country for several months. This brought back some of the memories of the people and places I visited while I was there. As recently as 10 years ago, there were still Kenyans who had never seen white people before. And there were people who had heard fantastic tales of what white people were capable of, and of the places they lived – milk piped into the houses, everyone knowing how to make airplanes, flying around like lords of the sky. It’s a little scary, a little intimidating, a little frustrating. This is a great book for showing how people can meet and learn about, understand, then leave behind their differences.
Kariuki’s parents are particularly concerned about their friendship, as Bwana Ruin’s displeasure could cost them their jobs. Despite efforts to keep the boys apart, they sneak off to go hunting, fishing, swimming. When Kariuki can’t get away, Nigel comes to see him in the village and helps him with his chores, eats the ugali that Kariuki’s mother prepares them for lunch. The other villagers are completely fascinated by this – they still think that white people are something special and can’t fathom one doing normal people things.
Things come to a head when Nigel disappears one night while the boys are out hunting. Kariuki finds the two dogs that were with them – murdered – but not Nigel. And when he comes back to the village there are all sorts of questions he has to face. He lies to buy time, searching for his friend in the forest. When he finds him (tied up in the back of a cave), he learns Nigel is a prisoner of the Mau Mau, a group of forest people/Kenyans who want to take their land back from the white men. Kariuki’s brother, Hari, is a friend of these forest people. The boys manage to escape once, only to be caught again, and then Hari rescues them. Everyone is relieved to see them, and Kariuki is invited to Bwana Ruin’s home to tell them how he rescued Nigel. At that moment, soldiers arrive bearing the body of Kariuki’s brother – they ran him down and killed him as a terrorist.
There are hints throughout that Kariuki comes to understand white men and their world much better later on, in a time and place far away from these events that took place in his childhood. But it is his friendship with Nigel that helps bring him this understanding. Nigel, too, comes to understand something of Kenya and of Kariuki’s place in the world through their friendship.
I have been fascinated by Kenya after traveling around the country for several months. This brought back some of the memories of the people and places I visited while I was there. As recently as 10 years ago, there were still Kenyans who had never seen white people before. And there were people who had heard fantastic tales of what white people were capable of, and of the places they lived – milk piped into the houses, everyone knowing how to make airplanes, flying around like lords of the sky. It’s a little scary, a little intimidating, a little frustrating. This is a great book for showing how people can meet and learn about, understand, then leave behind their differences.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised how much better I liked The Mzungu Boy than Burn My Heart. I was really able to identify with Kariuki, although since this story takes a side I thought that the character of Nigel was lacking in a lot of personality, or at least not brought together in a way that makes sense. He is clearly impulsive, demanding, brave to the point of fool hardy, and also kind and just but we are given no reasons about why is he like this and why he is so different from the rest of the white people except that he was brought up in England instead of Kenya.
I also liked that the book is more optimistic and hopeful with a generally more happy ending than the sense of hopelessness that pervades Burn My Heart. I think the insider perspective of the author requires a sense of hope and possible resolution because as Kenya is his country he knows that peace and justice are important if not already satisfactorily achieved. At the same time, Mwangi doesn’t shy away from the harsh brutality of the time and place. While I think that Naidoo would have been uncomfortable expressing the violence present in a Kenyan boy’s life, I doubt that as an outsider woman she would have even been privy to it. However, as Mwangi is positioned as an insider, the reader is more likely to accept his portrayal than hers.
I did feel like maybe Mwangi made Nigel’s character too “nice” but this goes back to the idea of optimism and that in some cases I prefer it over accuracy. A story is supposed to speak to the reader but a fiction story is not required to be true, only to tell a good story and while Mwangi’s may not be accurate, its authentic feeling and ability to tell a good story that will delight the reader may make up for it. While the perspective of the book is clearly from the native perspective, having a sympathetic white character helps share some of the variety of colonialist perspectives and attitudes, especially as Bwana Ruin doesn’t seem to be portrayed as overly cruel. I do like the mention of the fact that he paid for the land as it shares some of the white perspective even though it does nothing to offset the blatant cruelty and disparity in living conditions, especially freedom and other intangibles, that the whites were responsible for creating and perpetrating.
(Journal Entry written for a class on Global Children's Lit)
I also liked that the book is more optimistic and hopeful with a generally more happy ending than the sense of hopelessness that pervades Burn My Heart. I think the insider perspective of the author requires a sense of hope and possible resolution because as Kenya is his country he knows that peace and justice are important if not already satisfactorily achieved. At the same time, Mwangi doesn’t shy away from the harsh brutality of the time and place. While I think that Naidoo would have been uncomfortable expressing the violence present in a Kenyan boy’s life, I doubt that as an outsider woman she would have even been privy to it. However, as Mwangi is positioned as an insider, the reader is more likely to accept his portrayal than hers.
I did feel like maybe Mwangi made Nigel’s character too “nice” but this goes back to the idea of optimism and that in some cases I prefer it over accuracy. A story is supposed to speak to the reader but a fiction story is not required to be true, only to tell a good story and while Mwangi’s may not be accurate, its authentic feeling and ability to tell a good story that will delight the reader may make up for it. While the perspective of the book is clearly from the native perspective, having a sympathetic white character helps share some of the variety of colonialist perspectives and attitudes, especially as Bwana Ruin doesn’t seem to be portrayed as overly cruel. I do like the mention of the fact that he paid for the land as it shares some of the white perspective even though it does nothing to offset the blatant cruelty and disparity in living conditions, especially freedom and other intangibles, that the whites were responsible for creating and perpetrating.
(Journal Entry written for a class on Global Children's Lit)
October 29, 2017
Set in British-ruled Kenya in the early '50s, this is the story of Kariuki, a Kenyan boy who becomes friends with Nigel, an English boy who's come to stay on his grandparents' farm during the summer.[return][return]What I really liked about this book is how honest it was. While the boys are friends, it doesn't paint an idealistic portrait of their friendship. Being friends doesn't magically make the horrible things that are going on any better, nor does it solve any problems. In fact, it only makes things worse. It's not a story about a white person becoming friends with a person of color and learning to be a better person, either. This is told from Kariuki's POV and Nigel's entitlement and privilege are not glossed over at all. [return][return]For example, when they first meet, he insists Kariuki take some fish he (Nigel) caught, even though Kariuki tells him they're not allowed to have fish and that he will get in trouble if he takes them. So of course Kariuki gets in trouble, and Nigel is just la-di-da, whatever, and goes on about his merry way and continues to do the same sort of thoughtless things throughout the book. Another good example is when the villagers are all rounded up in a pen because Nigel's grandfather thinks they've done something, and Nigel just sits there and then when he spots Kariuki, waves blithely at him. [return][return]Reading this book, I could imagine how it would have been if written by your typical white children's author and was so, so glad it wasn't.
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