Yorùbá boy running : a novel / Biyi Bándélé ; [introduction by Wole Soyinka].

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bandele-Thomas, Biyi, 1967-2022, author.

Contributor:

Soyinka, Wole, writer of introduction.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Crowther, Samuel, 1806?-1891--Fiction.

Crowther, Samuel.

Bishops--Nigeria--Fiction.

Bishops.

Abolitionists--Nigeria--Fiction.

Abolitionists.

Slavery--Africa, West--History--Fiction.

Slavery.

Nigeria--History--19th century--Fiction.

Nigeria.

Africa, West--History--19th century--Fiction.

Africa, West.

Genre:

Biographical fiction.

Historical fiction.

Novels.

Physical Description:

xv, 270 pages : 1 illustration ; 25 cm

Edition:

First U.S. edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : HarperCollins Publishers, [2024]

Summary:

"'Run, Ajayi, run!' When Malian slave traders invaded the Nigerian town of Òsogùn, thirteen-year-old Àjàyí's life is split in two. Before, there was his childhood, surrounded by friends and family, watched over by the ancient Yorùbá gods of forest and water, earth and sky. After, there was capture, slavery--and eventually release--with Àjàyí, left transfigured, unrecognizable, and now, in the service of a new god, with a new name and a culture different from the one left far behind. Àjàyí becomes Samuel Crowther--missionary, linguist, minister, and eventually abolitionist, driven to negotiate against his own people to end the evil trade in human beings which destroyed his family and transformed his own life. Drawing on the prolific writings of Samuel Ajayi Crowther, novelist and filmmaker Biyi Bándélé creates a many-voiced, kaleidoscopic portrait of an extraordinary man. From the heart-stopping drama of Àjàyí's last day of freedom to the farcical intrigue of the Òsogùn court; from a meeting with Queen Victoria to consecration as the first African Bishop of the Anglican Church, Samuel Ajayi Crowther's journey, like all great odysseys, circles back to where he began. By turns witty, moving and revolutionary, Biyi Bándélé's reimagining of Crowther's life is a brilliant tour de force."--Amazon

Notes:

"Originally published in the United Kingdom in 2024 by Hamish Hamilton."--Title page verso

ISBN:

9780063417083

0063417081

OCLC:

1453413777