Mount Pleasant
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
Originally published in French in 2011 by aEditions Philippe Rey, France, as Mont plaisant.
Cameroon Series
This series delves into the rich and complex history of the early twentieth century, exploring the lives of individuals caught in the currents of colonization. The narratives are lyrical and majestic, resurrecting a bygone era with poignant elegy. It offers a captivating journey for readers who appreciate historical fiction with a profound human dimension and cultural depth. This collection illuminates the struggles and resilience of a people navigating immense societal change.
Recommended Reading Order
When the Plums Are Ripe
- 368 pages
- 13 hours of reading
The novel "When the Plums Are Ripe" begins in August 1940, marking the onset of World War II for Cameroon, as its tremors shake the country in Central Africa and profoundly alter the lives of its people. Set in various locations, the story follows the turbulent fates of the residents of the village of Edea in southern Cameroon. It intertwines the absurd and adventurous tale of four young men who enlist as soldiers in the French army, only to be used as cannon fodder in the desert war against Italians and Germans. Alongside this, it explores the changing fortunes of three friends, their wives, and families, whose daily lives are haunted by violence and loss, yet still pulsate with life, eroticism, friendship, and the continuation of their dreams. Through grim humor and a rich, burlesque language, Patrice Nganang narrates how the people of Edea become embroiled in the events of war while secretly advancing their ideas of protest and independence.