What do you think?
Rate this book
Secret Lives, and Other Stories
恩古吉·瓦·提安哥著的《隐居》描绘了一个尚未被“陌生的白人”和他们的宗教破坏的富有魔力的世界。在《乡村神父》中，造雨人仍在使用根深蒂固的神秘力量，而神父却无法制造奇迹结束干旱；在《暗中相会》中，约翰被夹在道德的枷锁中进退两难。现代文明的理念和古老的部落习俗屡屡发生冲突，终酿成悲剧。
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1975
16 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
108 books2,016 followersNgũgĩ wa Thiong'o was a Kenyan author and academic, who was described as East Africa's leading novelist.
He began writing in English before later switching to write primarily in Gikuyu, becoming a strong advocate for literature written in native African languages. His works include the celebrated novel The River Between, plays, short stories, and essays, ranging from literary and social criticism to children's literature. He was the founder and editor of the Gikuyu-language journal Mũtĩiri. His short story The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright was translated into more than 100 languages.
In 1977, Ngũgĩ embarked upon a novel form of theatre in Kenya that sought to liberate the theatrical process from what he held to be "the general bourgeois education system", by encouraging spontaneity and audience participation in the performances. His project sought to "demystify" the theatrical process, and to avoid the "process of alienation [that] produces a gallery of active stars and an undifferentiated mass of grateful admirers" which, according to Ngũgĩ, encourages passivity in "ordinary people". Although his landmark play Ngaahika Ndeenda, co-written with Ngũgĩ wa Mirii, was a commercial success, it was shut down by the authoritarian Kenyan regime six weeks after its opening.
Ngũgĩ was subsequently imprisoned for more than a year. Adopted as an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, he was released from prison and fled Kenya. He was appointed Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of California, Irvine. He previously taught at Northwestern University, Yale University, and New York University. Ngũgĩ was frequently regarded as a likely candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. He won the 2001 International Nonino Prize in Italy, and the 2016 Park Kyong-ni Prize. Among his children are authors Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ and Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ.
He began writing in English before later switching to write primarily in Gikuyu, becoming a strong advocate for literature written in native African languages. His works include the celebrated novel The River Between, plays, short stories, and essays, ranging from literary and social criticism to children's literature. He was the founder and editor of the Gikuyu-language journal Mũtĩiri. His short story The Upright Revolution: Or Why Humans Walk Upright was translated into more than 100 languages.
In 1977, Ngũgĩ embarked upon a novel form of theatre in Kenya that sought to liberate the theatrical process from what he held to be "the general bourgeois education system", by encouraging spontaneity and audience participation in the performances. His project sought to "demystify" the theatrical process, and to avoid the "process of alienation [that] produces a gallery of active stars and an undifferentiated mass of grateful admirers" which, according to Ngũgĩ, encourages passivity in "ordinary people". Although his landmark play Ngaahika Ndeenda, co-written with Ngũgĩ wa Mirii, was a commercial success, it was shut down by the authoritarian Kenyan regime six weeks after its opening.
Ngũgĩ was subsequently imprisoned for more than a year. Adopted as an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience, he was released from prison and fled Kenya. He was appointed Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and English at the University of California, Irvine. He previously taught at Northwestern University, Yale University, and New York University. Ngũgĩ was frequently regarded as a likely candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. He won the 2001 International Nonino Prize in Italy, and the 2016 Park Kyong-ni Prize. Among his children are authors Mũkoma wa Ngũgĩ and Wanjiku wa Ngũgĩ.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 11, 2021
Wow. Ngugi is the master of storytelling!!! I love. I love.💖
The two men in The Blackbird should have ended up together though 😅
Is Ilmorog a real place in Kenya? Well, I love Limuru, especially because of the way he describes it . There’s a way he can make you love Kenya...
Nevertheless, I am motivated. Maybe I can try my hand at Literature. Maybe.. .😅🤞🏽
The two men in The Blackbird should have ended up together though 😅
Is Ilmorog a real place in Kenya? Well, I love Limuru, especially because of the way he describes it . There’s a way he can make you love Kenya...
Nevertheless, I am motivated. Maybe I can try my hand at Literature. Maybe.. .😅🤞🏽
March 30, 2021
*Score: 8/10*
A collection of short stories by Kenyan author Ngugi, which represents some of his early works, dealing with themes of colonialism, western vs african culture, and identity and nstionalism, with a light touch of magical realism in few of the stories relating to African folklore.
First, what has caught my attention foremost is the strong writing. Within literally a paragraph, he is able to catch your attention, which is what a shrot story should do. I felt I was reading an agile painter's work, given how quickly I am able to know the setting in each story with effecient use of words. This alone is reason enough to read this book imo, just to appreciate this rare skill.
Generally, I liked most of the stories, with few only that I felt didnt add much value due to having similar themes to others but with inferior narrative. The stories deal mostly with the affect on normal and average kenyan people due to the colonialism, and deals a lot with culture change, national identity, and sense of duty to family and traditions. Few of the stories also include magical realism aspects (most don't though), which I found to be well executed.
In each story I felt I got a good and complete one, and was really engaged till the end. This is a sign of a great storyteller.
As mentioned, on the downside, few of the stories didn't fully deliver the impact desired (there is no happy stuff here, so i measured the success of each story in terms of how miserable it made me feel !! More feels of course is what I consider a success).
If anything, while this is not a masterful collection, it has definitely opened my appetite to see the true potential of this author in his later works and longer novels. If this is the low end of the road and its better from here on, which I hope is the case, then I am looking into a potentially fantastic road ahead.
A collection of short stories by Kenyan author Ngugi, which represents some of his early works, dealing with themes of colonialism, western vs african culture, and identity and nstionalism, with a light touch of magical realism in few of the stories relating to African folklore.
First, what has caught my attention foremost is the strong writing. Within literally a paragraph, he is able to catch your attention, which is what a shrot story should do. I felt I was reading an agile painter's work, given how quickly I am able to know the setting in each story with effecient use of words. This alone is reason enough to read this book imo, just to appreciate this rare skill.
Generally, I liked most of the stories, with few only that I felt didnt add much value due to having similar themes to others but with inferior narrative. The stories deal mostly with the affect on normal and average kenyan people due to the colonialism, and deals a lot with culture change, national identity, and sense of duty to family and traditions. Few of the stories also include magical realism aspects (most don't though), which I found to be well executed.
In each story I felt I got a good and complete one, and was really engaged till the end. This is a sign of a great storyteller.
As mentioned, on the downside, few of the stories didn't fully deliver the impact desired (there is no happy stuff here, so i measured the success of each story in terms of how miserable it made me feel !! More feels of course is what I consider a success).
If anything, while this is not a masterful collection, it has definitely opened my appetite to see the true potential of this author in his later works and longer novels. If this is the low end of the road and its better from here on, which I hope is the case, then I am looking into a potentially fantastic road ahead.
December 18, 2016
Visiting the University of Cape Town bookstore several months ago, I happened upon a book called DEVIL ON THE CROSS by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. I knew nothing about either the book or the author, but the blurb on the back as well as the first few pages made me immediately buy the book. (DEVIL... was written on toilet paper while Ngugi was imprisoned for having written a previous book - PETALS OF BLOOD). But when I started reading DEVIL, as much as I liked it, I found it a bit of a challenge, so I put it down. Knowing that DEVIL was a condemnation of colonialism and capitalism masked as an allegory, and knowing that it is thought to be a rather challenging read, I decided to begin with a less challenging Ngugi work. This brought me to SECRET LIVES: SHORT STORIES. Indeed, SECRET LIVES may prove to be the perfect introduction to Ngugi.
To be sure, the stories in SECRET LIVES share similar narratives and themes: competiting cultures (indigenous v. colonial), identity crises (African v. European), and the failed promise of independence. Each story is heavy in theme but has an element of absurdity and irony that adds a bit of levity to the tales: a competition between a Christian priest and a tribal rainmaker over whose prayer can end a drought; a man whose sole wish was to be buried in a Mercedes, only to possibly get his wish thanks to becoming the subject of an election, white paranoia over the murder of one of their settlers portends creates a murder of its own. All of these stories have important messages about the lasting impact of colonialism, and about the problems of a class-based system that colonialism creates.
If stories with political satire and ironic endings are your thing, these stories are for you. Even better, they are mostly self-explanatory, meaning that only a minimal knowledge of Kenya's recent history is necessary. If there's one negative, it is that the stories are very similar - all are essentially variations on a theme. All work, however, and some incredibly well. I am now excited to revisit DEVIL ON THE CROSS. That makes for a rather favorable recommendation!
To be sure, the stories in SECRET LIVES share similar narratives and themes: competiting cultures (indigenous v. colonial), identity crises (African v. European), and the failed promise of independence. Each story is heavy in theme but has an element of absurdity and irony that adds a bit of levity to the tales: a competition between a Christian priest and a tribal rainmaker over whose prayer can end a drought; a man whose sole wish was to be buried in a Mercedes, only to possibly get his wish thanks to becoming the subject of an election, white paranoia over the murder of one of their settlers portends creates a murder of its own. All of these stories have important messages about the lasting impact of colonialism, and about the problems of a class-based system that colonialism creates.
If stories with political satire and ironic endings are your thing, these stories are for you. Even better, they are mostly self-explanatory, meaning that only a minimal knowledge of Kenya's recent history is necessary. If there's one negative, it is that the stories are very similar - all are essentially variations on a theme. All work, however, and some incredibly well. I am now excited to revisit DEVIL ON THE CROSS. That makes for a rather favorable recommendation!
November 3, 2010
These stories that Ngugi wrote early in his career prove that he is one of the grandmasters of African literature.
April 21, 2021
I didn't finish the book, but it's through no fault of my own. The hard copy book I read was old and the last chunk of its pages was missing. I read 10 of the 13 stories so I do believe I'm well informed to review the book.
I must say, I was disappointed. Growing up as a determined (but quite lazy) reader and a somewhat aspiring writer, Ngugi has been a big name for me. The only other book of his I've read (though I also didn't finish due to reasons best left undiscussed) is "The Wizard of the Crow," the Kikuyu version.
[Edit: Just remembered I also read his play "I Will Marry When I Want"]
So I was pretty excited to read these short stories, to finally experience the great Ngugi wa Thiong'o. But I was off to a disappointing start. I disliked the first two stories. The grammar was noticeably redundant, the imagery felt forced and bland, and the plot was cliché. The stories both addressed the theme of barrenness and the alienation of women from society due to their inability to reproduce. They were so similar that it felt like "And The Rain Came Down" was simply a rendition of "Mugumo."
I saw an improvement from the third story onwards but some of them still reflected the blandness and repetition that I'd noticed in the first two. My favourites were "Minutes of Glory" and "The Village Priest," with five and four stars respectively.
I hope to read more of Ngugi because I know he wrote the short stories early in his career so it wouldn't be fair to judge his prowess based on them.
I must say, I was disappointed. Growing up as a determined (but quite lazy) reader and a somewhat aspiring writer, Ngugi has been a big name for me. The only other book of his I've read (though I also didn't finish due to reasons best left undiscussed) is "The Wizard of the Crow," the Kikuyu version.
[Edit: Just remembered I also read his play "I Will Marry When I Want"]
So I was pretty excited to read these short stories, to finally experience the great Ngugi wa Thiong'o. But I was off to a disappointing start. I disliked the first two stories. The grammar was noticeably redundant, the imagery felt forced and bland, and the plot was cliché. The stories both addressed the theme of barrenness and the alienation of women from society due to their inability to reproduce. They were so similar that it felt like "And The Rain Came Down" was simply a rendition of "Mugumo."
I saw an improvement from the third story onwards but some of them still reflected the blandness and repetition that I'd noticed in the first two. My favourites were "Minutes of Glory" and "The Village Priest," with five and four stars respectively.
I hope to read more of Ngugi because I know he wrote the short stories early in his career so it wouldn't be fair to judge his prowess based on them.
April 8, 2023
After frantically reading like a madman from my high school days to my mid-thirties, the quantity of books become significant enough for it to become some sort of grotesque milestone. Ngugi's Secret Lives is my one thousandth book read. Admittedly, I had a hard time to figure out what it should be, cos you don't want your thousandth book read to be shit, right? I picked up Secret Lives in a random bookshop in Penang, as I had found all my Ngugi books. I owe a lot of my reading habit because of The River Between that I picked up when I was sixteen, and I've been reading non-stop ever since.
Secret Lives is a collection of short stories from the Kenyan master storyteller. It is divided into three parts: Of Mothers and Children, Fighters and Martyrs and Secret Lives. The stories are compartmentalised into each theme: Mothers and Children explore the relationship of the family dynamics, Fighters and Martyrs explore the relation of men to their country, whilst Secret Lives deal with the depths beyond the appearances of our achievements. But most of these themes, like Ngugi's story weave into each other's fabrics.
If you like Ngugi, you know what you're expecting and you would get it. Ngugi writes about the struggle between the traditional values based on tribal beliefs and the strains of the ambition of the modern Kenya. He writes about Kenyans tarnished by pride, abominations who had forgotten the traditional value of community and family. The younger generation falters from the expectations of their parents. He writes about modern Kenya - eschewing those who fall for the religions and luxuries of the west. Of these, Ngugi's position is clear.
I can't think of a favourite, but A Meeting in the Dark and Minutes of Glory are clear standouts for me. The former is the fall of the village golden boy after he found out about his girlfriend's pregnancy, Minutes of Glory is the inspiration of Secret Lives, based on a true story of a prostitute who stole from the brothel, and comes back to the brothel to spend the money she stole. But all the stories here are worth reading, just like any of Ngugi's work.
Secret Lives is a collection of short stories from the Kenyan master storyteller. It is divided into three parts: Of Mothers and Children, Fighters and Martyrs and Secret Lives. The stories are compartmentalised into each theme: Mothers and Children explore the relationship of the family dynamics, Fighters and Martyrs explore the relation of men to their country, whilst Secret Lives deal with the depths beyond the appearances of our achievements. But most of these themes, like Ngugi's story weave into each other's fabrics.
If you like Ngugi, you know what you're expecting and you would get it. Ngugi writes about the struggle between the traditional values based on tribal beliefs and the strains of the ambition of the modern Kenya. He writes about Kenyans tarnished by pride, abominations who had forgotten the traditional value of community and family. The younger generation falters from the expectations of their parents. He writes about modern Kenya - eschewing those who fall for the religions and luxuries of the west. Of these, Ngugi's position is clear.
I can't think of a favourite, but A Meeting in the Dark and Minutes of Glory are clear standouts for me. The former is the fall of the village golden boy after he found out about his girlfriend's pregnancy, Minutes of Glory is the inspiration of Secret Lives, based on a true story of a prostitute who stole from the brothel, and comes back to the brothel to spend the money she stole. But all the stories here are worth reading, just like any of Ngugi's work.
December 16, 2024
This book has many short stories that are from Ngugi's early days as a writer. Some of the themes are to be found in later works (racism, Mau Mau, anticolonialism, etc.).
Ain't great, but it is nothing bad. You should expect to find stories with different formats and themes and a writer who is still trying to find his own way of expressing and what themes do really interest him.
Ain't great, but it is nothing bad. You should expect to find stories with different formats and themes and a writer who is still trying to find his own way of expressing and what themes do really interest him.
August 25, 2025
Kenya for Read Around Africa.
This wasn't my original pick for Kenya, but I found it in an Amnesty bookshop and wanted to try Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's writing. After reading this, I am interested in reading more from him, especially a novel.
This wasn't my original pick for Kenya, but I found it in an Amnesty bookshop and wanted to try Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's writing. After reading this, I am interested in reading more from him, especially a novel.
July 5, 2019
Amazing and captivating. Short stories about african culture, colonialism and how it affected so many lives.
September 29, 2021
Not my thing…..
March 24, 2023
i had a tough time getting a rhythm.
December 19, 2024
well shit.
May 21, 2015
Read the first two stories. I didn't need more to confirm my review. Amazingly well-written and beautifully descriptive, Ngūgī casts us in the middle of the African culture and ensures a steady build-up of the story to a thrilling culmination that leaves the readers speechless.
'Mugumo' and 'And Down Came The Rain!' were short, but enormously satisfying reads.
I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to explore a new well-developed atmosphere. It will most definitely be worth every second.
As for me, I will pick up the next short story.
'Mugumo' and 'And Down Came The Rain!' were short, but enormously satisfying reads.
I would recommend this to anyone who wishes to explore a new well-developed atmosphere. It will most definitely be worth every second.
As for me, I will pick up the next short story.
Want to read
November 29, 2025Read so far:
Mugumo
And the rain came down!
Gone with the drought
The village priest
The black bird
*The martyr
*The return
*A meeting in the dark
Goodbye Africa
Minutes of glory --3
*Wedding at the cross
A Mercedes funeral
The Mubenzi tribesman
***
The upright revolution: or why humans walk upright
Mugumo
And the rain came down!
Gone with the drought
The village priest
The black bird
*The martyr
*The return
*A meeting in the dark
Goodbye Africa
Minutes of glory --3
*Wedding at the cross
A Mercedes funeral
The Mubenzi tribesman
***
The upright revolution: or why humans walk upright
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews