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The Emperor's Son
Vamba Sherif' s The Emperor' s Son is a gripping tale of Zaiwulo, a young prodigy dispatched to the ancient city of Musadu to train under the tutelage of Talata, a renowned sage of the legendary Haidarah family. In his new surroundings, the young Zaiwulo finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue surrounding Emperor Samori, the formidable leader whom the French have dubbed “ the Black Napoleon.” As Zaiwulo matures into a formidable soldier, fighting alongside the Emperor, his quest for truth intensifies, leading him on a daring adventure that ultimately brings him face-to-face with his own origins. Set against the backdrop of political upheaval and historical tumult, The Emperor' s Son is a riveting historical saga of loyalty, the pursuit of identity, the complexities of leadership, and the enduring quest for truth in a world that is constantly evolving.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
493 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Vamba Sherif
23 books33 followersVamba Sherif is a novelist, essayist, speaker, book and film critic. He’s a lecturer in African Literature at Leiden University. His work has appeared in many languages, including Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, and the Indian Malayalam. He has also published essays, stories, film reviews, columns and opinion pieces in The New York Times, the German Kulturaustausch, African Writing, Trouw, Volkskrant, NRC and ZAM-Magazine, among many others. With Ebissé Rouw, he compiled Black: Afro-European literature in the Netherlands and Belgium, a unique anthology of Afro-European experience in the Low Countries. About his work the German newspaper Berliner Zeitung wrote: 'Vamba Sherif creates whirlpools of Shakespearean intensity.'
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 7, 2024
Real Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: Vamba Sherif’s The Emperor’s Son tells the story of Zaiwulo, a young boy sent off to the ancient city of Musadu to study under Talata, a great scholar and head of the legendary Haidarah family. The boy soon notices that there is more to the story of his presence among the Haidarahs, and as he grows older and becomes a soldier fighting alongside Emperor Samori whom the French nicknamed “the Black Napoleon”, his resolve to unravel the mysteries of his childhood propels him into an adventure that leads him back home in the forests where there awaits a revelation with far-reaching consequences.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Historical fiction set in Africa, written by an African author? Sign me up...I love Marlon James's and Kai Ashante Wilson's African-set and -themed fantasy novels, Tade Thompson's Rosewater SF series, and on and on...the genres I read are populated with African writers, and I seek them out.
Until now, historical fiction has not been populated. I have hopes that this will change because this story is awesome. I won't go through a book report because I hate that in a review, but I will say that "the Black Napoleon" as Samori Touré, a Mandinka Muslim cleric, military strategist, and founder of the Wassoulou Empire, is called in this book, was a fascinating character indeed. Start with the Wikipedia article linked and keep going...look up the events in the book...don't stint on the research!
Or do none, that won't harm your pleasure in the story of a young man caught up in the heady slipsteam of a leader who wants, plans for, and wages an effective war to gain independence and self-determination. The people of Western Africa then incorporated into France's colonial empire were working with him, and that kind of personality is fascinating to read about.
The story is deeply immersive, impressively involving, and a delight to read. Any younger reader, say from sixteen up, will not find anything in the story that hasn't passed before their eyes many times before. The violence is not overplayed, or lingered on in a prurient way. It is a fact of war. The balancing factors are the immense amount of cultural knowledge that Author Sherif puts in logical and necessary places. I felt the way he placed them, the level of detail he provided, gave me a deeper picture of the world I was reading about.
At over 500 pages, this is the best kind of immersive, dense, textured read for an adolescent or older person to get as a #Booksgiving gift. What better way to escape the family closeness so many readers dread, in such a pleasant and acceptable way?
Strongly recommended.
The Publisher Says: Vamba Sherif’s The Emperor’s Son tells the story of Zaiwulo, a young boy sent off to the ancient city of Musadu to study under Talata, a great scholar and head of the legendary Haidarah family. The boy soon notices that there is more to the story of his presence among the Haidarahs, and as he grows older and becomes a soldier fighting alongside Emperor Samori whom the French nicknamed “the Black Napoleon”, his resolve to unravel the mysteries of his childhood propels him into an adventure that leads him back home in the forests where there awaits a revelation with far-reaching consequences.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Historical fiction set in Africa, written by an African author? Sign me up...I love Marlon James's and Kai Ashante Wilson's African-set and -themed fantasy novels, Tade Thompson's Rosewater SF series, and on and on...the genres I read are populated with African writers, and I seek them out.
Until now, historical fiction has not been populated. I have hopes that this will change because this story is awesome. I won't go through a book report because I hate that in a review, but I will say that "the Black Napoleon" as Samori Touré, a Mandinka Muslim cleric, military strategist, and founder of the Wassoulou Empire, is called in this book, was a fascinating character indeed. Start with the Wikipedia article linked and keep going...look up the events in the book...don't stint on the research!
Or do none, that won't harm your pleasure in the story of a young man caught up in the heady slipsteam of a leader who wants, plans for, and wages an effective war to gain independence and self-determination. The people of Western Africa then incorporated into France's colonial empire were working with him, and that kind of personality is fascinating to read about.
The story is deeply immersive, impressively involving, and a delight to read. Any younger reader, say from sixteen up, will not find anything in the story that hasn't passed before their eyes many times before. The violence is not overplayed, or lingered on in a prurient way. It is a fact of war. The balancing factors are the immense amount of cultural knowledge that Author Sherif puts in logical and necessary places. I felt the way he placed them, the level of detail he provided, gave me a deeper picture of the world I was reading about.
At over 500 pages, this is the best kind of immersive, dense, textured read for an adolescent or older person to get as a #Booksgiving gift. What better way to escape the family closeness so many readers dread, in such a pleasant and acceptable way?
Strongly recommended.
November 23, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.
By the first few pages, I was hooked...
This book is simply a must-read. I cannot speak highly enough about Vamba Sherif's The Emperor's Son. From page one, I felt transported. I felt like I was right alongside our main character Zaiwulo. This is such a beautiful book.
This story is set in Africa with a vividly described setting. There is a certain magic to Africa. The continent abounds with beauty. I am always happy to read books exploring her rich history. Africa is perhaps the perfect place to tell a compelling story. I personally love Africa and seek out media set in Africa. However, this is among one of the first fictional book about Africa I ever read, because for many years I consumed mostly nonfiction. My previous reading being from the likes of Beverly Joubert and Peter Allison, this provides a glimpse into Northern Africa. I have also written extensively about Africa in my unpublished travel memoir.
Africa has rocked me, deep down into my soul, so I jumped at the chance to review this ARC.
I am biased to love any book with horses, but this book is simply amazing. The reader truly felt the deep connection between a man and his horse, especially the trust necessary to head out into war in a cavalry.
This book has everything. It is an in-depth look into the Sufi culture, colonialism, and even references African herbalism. I truly appreciate everything this book has to offer, and I hope you do too. There are sweet intimate scenes, and bloody massacres. Tension is built through secrets, betrayal, and war. You will see reflections between characters that have stood the test of time and been etched into history. I was particularly engaged with a secret document, one that is passed down among royalty. It is called the Haidairah Manuscript, and by the end of the book, you will be inspired by the very idea of it too. It is hard not to appreciate everything that went into writing and preserving this ancient manuscript. I never even knew it existed before reading The Emperor's Son.
Although this is a long book, over 500 pages, you will be interested and engaged the entire time. Best of all, I suspect that everybody who reads this will come away with deeper knowledge about the history of Africa. It is interesting to read this book and look into the future, wondering what will happen to the most beautiful continent on earth considering its bloody past. It is also poignant for its criticisms of war, as by the end of the book, you will see how jaded the warriors become. You will feel their deep want for peace. You will clutch the pages begging for tides to turn in our young warrior's favor.
Yes, I do suggest you judge this book by its cover. It lives up to the beautiful artwork.
I need to see this book on a screen. I need to see it as a movie with its full bravado. Please, filmmakers, take a chance on this book. It is so good.
By the first few pages, I was hooked...
This book is simply a must-read. I cannot speak highly enough about Vamba Sherif's The Emperor's Son. From page one, I felt transported. I felt like I was right alongside our main character Zaiwulo. This is such a beautiful book.
This story is set in Africa with a vividly described setting. There is a certain magic to Africa. The continent abounds with beauty. I am always happy to read books exploring her rich history. Africa is perhaps the perfect place to tell a compelling story. I personally love Africa and seek out media set in Africa. However, this is among one of the first fictional book about Africa I ever read, because for many years I consumed mostly nonfiction. My previous reading being from the likes of Beverly Joubert and Peter Allison, this provides a glimpse into Northern Africa. I have also written extensively about Africa in my unpublished travel memoir.
Africa has rocked me, deep down into my soul, so I jumped at the chance to review this ARC.
I am biased to love any book with horses, but this book is simply amazing. The reader truly felt the deep connection between a man and his horse, especially the trust necessary to head out into war in a cavalry.
This book has everything. It is an in-depth look into the Sufi culture, colonialism, and even references African herbalism. I truly appreciate everything this book has to offer, and I hope you do too. There are sweet intimate scenes, and bloody massacres. Tension is built through secrets, betrayal, and war. You will see reflections between characters that have stood the test of time and been etched into history. I was particularly engaged with a secret document, one that is passed down among royalty. It is called the Haidairah Manuscript, and by the end of the book, you will be inspired by the very idea of it too. It is hard not to appreciate everything that went into writing and preserving this ancient manuscript. I never even knew it existed before reading The Emperor's Son.
Although this is a long book, over 500 pages, you will be interested and engaged the entire time. Best of all, I suspect that everybody who reads this will come away with deeper knowledge about the history of Africa. It is interesting to read this book and look into the future, wondering what will happen to the most beautiful continent on earth considering its bloody past. It is also poignant for its criticisms of war, as by the end of the book, you will see how jaded the warriors become. You will feel their deep want for peace. You will clutch the pages begging for tides to turn in our young warrior's favor.
Yes, I do suggest you judge this book by its cover. It lives up to the beautiful artwork.
I need to see this book on a screen. I need to see it as a movie with its full bravado. Please, filmmakers, take a chance on this book. It is so good.
June 11, 2024
What a marvelous and fascinating novel to read. 4.5 rating
The Emperor’s Son is a richly imagined piece of historical fiction exploring the life and legacy of famed African emperor Samori Toure. The novel uses the coming-of-age journey of fictional character, Zaiwulo, to takes us through 25 years, as Zaiwulo goes from a curious young boy to a respected warrior in Samori’s army. Another character in the book is West Africa itself, as it transforms during these same 25 years from an aggregation of individual kingdoms with various languages, customs and visions for their own destinies to a patchwork of colonized nations; a people besieged.
Themes explored in this novel: the impact of war, the concept of family and community, the cost of secrets, commitment to one’s personal journey vs. commitment to one’s tribe in the face of colonialism, the quest for power.
We all know now the outcome of Europe’s influence on Africa. But what must it have been like to live on this precipice? To make decisions for yourself and others while staring into the face of a deep and treacherous unknown? Most of us have watched a chess match as it is played from overhead. However, reading this book felt like being on the board itself, amongst the chess pieces and being able to only see a few possible moves in any one direction. Staring into one’s fate at eye level.
It is clear that Vamba Sherif did extensive research to create this vivid world for the reader, which I noticed and appreciated. The story is filled with an assortment of nuanced and rich characters with thoughtfully crafted personal journeys. The female characters are especially complex, and uniquely written which I loved. The landscape of Africa took shape in my imagination thanks to Sherif's powerful story telling.
I would happily read more from this author.
The Emperor’s Son is a richly imagined piece of historical fiction exploring the life and legacy of famed African emperor Samori Toure. The novel uses the coming-of-age journey of fictional character, Zaiwulo, to takes us through 25 years, as Zaiwulo goes from a curious young boy to a respected warrior in Samori’s army. Another character in the book is West Africa itself, as it transforms during these same 25 years from an aggregation of individual kingdoms with various languages, customs and visions for their own destinies to a patchwork of colonized nations; a people besieged.
Themes explored in this novel: the impact of war, the concept of family and community, the cost of secrets, commitment to one’s personal journey vs. commitment to one’s tribe in the face of colonialism, the quest for power.
We all know now the outcome of Europe’s influence on Africa. But what must it have been like to live on this precipice? To make decisions for yourself and others while staring into the face of a deep and treacherous unknown? Most of us have watched a chess match as it is played from overhead. However, reading this book felt like being on the board itself, amongst the chess pieces and being able to only see a few possible moves in any one direction. Staring into one’s fate at eye level.
It is clear that Vamba Sherif did extensive research to create this vivid world for the reader, which I noticed and appreciated. The story is filled with an assortment of nuanced and rich characters with thoughtfully crafted personal journeys. The female characters are especially complex, and uniquely written which I loved. The landscape of Africa took shape in my imagination thanks to Sherif's powerful story telling.
I would happily read more from this author.
February 4, 2024
During my internship at the Embassy in Jakarta, I met Vamba when he was invited to speak on his book at the Erasmus Huis. He’s a great storyteller who is able to convey his thoughts vividly and enthusiastically. This encouraged me to purchase his book The Emperor’s Son at that moment.
The story plays out in West-Africa and talks about a time with rich cultures and sophisticated scholars, complex love and mysterious manuscripts, tribal wars and great empires, and the rise of Western-European imperialism on the African continent. Needless to say there are numerous other important and interesting topics explored in this vibrant book. Nevertheless, this richness does not diminish any of the readability. Vamba manages to write playfully and concisely which makes you fly through the chapters.
I am glad I got to cross paths with Vamba so that I could be introduced to this interesting book. Learning about different cultures is something that I highly value and enjoy. Since I am not that familiair with (West-)African culture and history, The Emperor’s Son was an eye-opener for me and has sparked my curiosity to learn more.
The story plays out in West-Africa and talks about a time with rich cultures and sophisticated scholars, complex love and mysterious manuscripts, tribal wars and great empires, and the rise of Western-European imperialism on the African continent. Needless to say there are numerous other important and interesting topics explored in this vibrant book. Nevertheless, this richness does not diminish any of the readability. Vamba manages to write playfully and concisely which makes you fly through the chapters.
I am glad I got to cross paths with Vamba so that I could be introduced to this interesting book. Learning about different cultures is something that I highly value and enjoy. Since I am not that familiair with (West-)African culture and history, The Emperor’s Son was an eye-opener for me and has sparked my curiosity to learn more.
September 21, 2023
This is a fascinating, lush, and beautifully told story about wars and doomed alliances. It is written with a rich imagination as seen with the way Vamba reconstructed the life of Samoro Touré, the fabled Mande Emperor.
It was a challenge to read, considering how long it has been since I have read something in this regard. It is as thought-provoking as it is captivating. The Emperor's son is a bold piece of fiction (historical) taking breath from factual events to create a picture of beautiful and prosperous West African Empire during the 1800's. A time when the continent was going through events of colonization from European countries.
The book tells of the the region's religions, cultures, and so on, my major fascination since I hardly learned any of these things in school.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free eCopy ARC!
Full Review on my SUBSTACK.
It was a challenge to read, considering how long it has been since I have read something in this regard. It is as thought-provoking as it is captivating. The Emperor's son is a bold piece of fiction (historical) taking breath from factual events to create a picture of beautiful and prosperous West African Empire during the 1800's. A time when the continent was going through events of colonization from European countries.
The book tells of the the region's religions, cultures, and so on, my major fascination since I hardly learned any of these things in school.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free eCopy ARC!
Full Review on my SUBSTACK.
May 7, 2024
The Emperor's Son is a fantastic tale of historical fiction that effortlessly combines elements of a coming-of-age tale with a traditional hero's journey set in the backdrop of the late 19'th century and early 20'th century West Africa. With a well researched setting, captivating characters, swift action, and plenty internal conflict, The Emperor's Son is a must read for historical fiction fans seeking a new time period to explore.
The novel tells the story of Zaiwulo whose father brings him to the compound of the renowned scholar, Talata Haidarah to become a scholar. A child of the forest, Zaiwulo feels instantly out of place in his new mentor's compound which is filled with historical, religious, and personal texts written in languages he does not understand and with Talata's eldest son, Osman making it clear that Zaiwulo is lesser due to his heritage. However, his forest heritage and determination to learn catches the eye of prominent Faama (lord), Samori Toure who takes Zaiwulo under his wing and expands Zaiwulo's world even further than he imagined.
The tale of Zaiwulo's rise from frightened child of the forest, to respected scholar, to trusted general to heir apparent of the Wassoulou Empire is masterfully expressed by Sherif in a very oral storyteller style. The historical setting is well-researched, detailed, and nuanced. Zaiwulo's main story is supported by equally captivating subplots focusing on domestic issues within the Haidarah household, particularly between his wife and the rivalry between his sons, religious debates within the community surrounding animalists and Islam, Samori's expansion and how it effects other clans, and so much more. The subplots feel like natural extensions of the main story and properly expand and develop the setting creating much more context and subtext for the decisions Zaiwulo makes.
The list of characters at the front of the book was helpful in keeping track of who everyone was and their relation to each other, although within the beginning chapters I was frequently referring back to the list to remind myself who was who which sometimes broke the flow of the story. By the end of the first act I had a solid understanding of each major and supporting character.
The pacing is swift, with chapters sometimes three or four pages long. The story's momentum rarely wanes. I did not feel the 480 page length at all. When the action scenes begin, they are equally as swift but remain impactful without relying on too much gore.
The storytelling style is the novel's greatest strength and at times a weakness. There were instances where the reader is told directly what Zaiwulo is thinking and decides rather than sitting in his head directly and letting his actions and their descriptions speak for him. It sometimes created a disconnect between me and the characters, especially when some supporting characters begin to die, the emotional impact was at times limited during my reading experience.
The swift pacing allows for years and years to pass without much fanfare or acknowledgment. Near the middle there is a mention of at least two or three years passing and I was taken aback because the story's pacing felt as though there were only a few days in between each event.
The ending was well-earned for Zaiwulo but felt a bit abrupt. There is some ambiguity within the ending regarding where Zaiwulo's path will take him next, but I suppose I was expecting an ending with more finality after the arduous journey Zaiwulo took.
Overall The Emperor's Son is a grand and memorable piece of historical fiction that captures and keeps readers attention with its detailed historical setting, captivating characters, and swift pace. It opens the door to a period of history frequently glossed over or ignored and gives the people of that time period a chance to have their say.
The novel tells the story of Zaiwulo whose father brings him to the compound of the renowned scholar, Talata Haidarah to become a scholar. A child of the forest, Zaiwulo feels instantly out of place in his new mentor's compound which is filled with historical, religious, and personal texts written in languages he does not understand and with Talata's eldest son, Osman making it clear that Zaiwulo is lesser due to his heritage. However, his forest heritage and determination to learn catches the eye of prominent Faama (lord), Samori Toure who takes Zaiwulo under his wing and expands Zaiwulo's world even further than he imagined.
The tale of Zaiwulo's rise from frightened child of the forest, to respected scholar, to trusted general to heir apparent of the Wassoulou Empire is masterfully expressed by Sherif in a very oral storyteller style. The historical setting is well-researched, detailed, and nuanced. Zaiwulo's main story is supported by equally captivating subplots focusing on domestic issues within the Haidarah household, particularly between his wife and the rivalry between his sons, religious debates within the community surrounding animalists and Islam, Samori's expansion and how it effects other clans, and so much more. The subplots feel like natural extensions of the main story and properly expand and develop the setting creating much more context and subtext for the decisions Zaiwulo makes.
The list of characters at the front of the book was helpful in keeping track of who everyone was and their relation to each other, although within the beginning chapters I was frequently referring back to the list to remind myself who was who which sometimes broke the flow of the story. By the end of the first act I had a solid understanding of each major and supporting character.
The pacing is swift, with chapters sometimes three or four pages long. The story's momentum rarely wanes. I did not feel the 480 page length at all. When the action scenes begin, they are equally as swift but remain impactful without relying on too much gore.
The storytelling style is the novel's greatest strength and at times a weakness. There were instances where the reader is told directly what Zaiwulo is thinking and decides rather than sitting in his head directly and letting his actions and their descriptions speak for him. It sometimes created a disconnect between me and the characters, especially when some supporting characters begin to die, the emotional impact was at times limited during my reading experience.
The swift pacing allows for years and years to pass without much fanfare or acknowledgment. Near the middle there is a mention of at least two or three years passing and I was taken aback because the story's pacing felt as though there were only a few days in between each event.
The ending was well-earned for Zaiwulo but felt a bit abrupt. There is some ambiguity within the ending regarding where Zaiwulo's path will take him next, but I suppose I was expecting an ending with more finality after the arduous journey Zaiwulo took.
Overall The Emperor's Son is a grand and memorable piece of historical fiction that captures and keeps readers attention with its detailed historical setting, captivating characters, and swift pace. It opens the door to a period of history frequently glossed over or ignored and gives the people of that time period a chance to have their say.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews