Ouologuem painted a short but devastating picture of a fictional African country in decline. It's hard to read at times with such intense violence running through every page. However, with parallels to the African slave trade and general ill treatment of the African people, to put it mildly, it's an important and valuable read.

First off, thank you to Penguin Press and NetGalley for the ARC. I’m beyond grateful to get access to some of the new Modern Classics, as it’s one of my favorite series to collect.

That being said, I have absolutely no idea how, what to rate this and why.
It’s one of the most brutal, confusing, heartbreaking, devastating books I’ve ever read, it’s troubling me quite a bit.
I genuinely don’t know what to say - let yourselves be warned before you read this, but do - for how much African literature have you read?

"A rebel? a cynic? a scoundrel? the living myth of personified rage, at the mercy of his neurotic legend? a sorcerer gone wrong? No. Not exclusively. Still another epithet was found for him: a retired criminal."

I read Penguin Classic's new launch edition of this book this month. This prose is outlandish. It created freakish weather first and then pelted down on my nascent barn, like a devastating unseasonal hailstorm!
Have you heard about the book and the controversy around it? I hadn't. When I requested the book, I had no knowledge of the author or the book. Three things attracted me: first, Penguin's logo; second, a theme on Africa, and third, the mention of John Updike in the blurb.

‘A startling energy of language’ John Updike, New Yorker,

How right is the assessment of Updike! After reading the book, I would say that, as of late, I have not witnessed such language in prose. Extremely powerful, too ocular for the mental eyes, brusque, and blunt, yet poetic and lyrical. Unapologetic. As straight as a die. Perhaps this was the reason the author paid a price for it through criticism. Or maybe not.

The book portrays the mass of Africa, victimized not by the coloniser from outside but by the 'traditional colonizers', and for this reason, it is stated that the author was labelled as a self-hating black man by the political leaders and intellectual elite there. This book was published in 1968 in French, and at that time, African authors were known to write in '<i>predictable polite and classic French'</i>. The book says: The author challenged the status quo with his radical portrayal and language at that time.

I don't know if the author was successful or not, but when you read this book more than 50 years later, you still cannot ignore the might of language and its instantaneous ramifications. The forcefulness it generates in the reader's mind is obvious and imposing in nature. In my opinion, this book is a piece of art. An act of sorcery performed by the author on paper. I have no doubt about this. I was utterly impressed by the writing.

But this praise belongs to the craft and genius with which this book is written, not to the content of the book. The content in many places is too brutal, inhumane, remorseless, and sharp to digest without getting bruised for a faint-hearted reader. I also don't know how authentic it is with respect to the history of various tribes and kingdom's in Africa. The book tries to capture a very wide period of history within its few pages, and he did it in an august manner. I learned that 'Malian writer rose to worldwide fame in 1968 with his Renaudot Prize, France’s second most prestigious literary honor; he was knocked to the ground and vilified by accusations of plagiarism and a subsequent lawsuit from the English writer Graham Greene.'

I can recommend this book to all those who want to see the craft of the author but the content of the book is not for all. I thank Netgalley and Penguin Press for providing me with a copy.

The review is also posted on:

https://bookbrooder.com/2024/03/27/what-is-your-argument-for-this-controversial-book/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6378963123?type=review#rating_711533722

Having just completed the journey through Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouloguem, I must say, it's an experience unlike any other. This novel takes readers on a tumultuous ride through the fictional kingdom of Nakem in West Africa, presenting a narrative that demands attention and reflection.
Ouloguem's writing style is a fusion of traditional African storytelling, biblical lyricism and sharp satire, creating a literary landscape that is both intricate and compelling. While initially daunting, the lyrical quality of the prose gradually draws readers in, inviting them to explore the depths of the narrative.
At its core, Bound to Violence delves into themes of power dynamics, colonialism, and cultural identity with unflinching honesty. Through a large cast of morally complex characters, Ouloguem challenges conventional notions of heroism and villainy, offering a nuanced exploration of human nature. The novel's humour serves as a poignant counterpoint to the darker themes of violence, slavery and cannibalism, providing moments of levity amidst the unrestrained narrative.
The controversy surrounding the novel with accusations of plagiarism adds another layer of complexity to the discussion. While acknowledging the challenges, it's important to recognise the novel's contribution to literary discourse and its ability to spark meaningful conversations.
Bound to Violence is a thought-provoking read that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. It may not be for everyone, but for those willing to embark on a journey of introspection and discovery, it offers a unique, challenging but rewarding experience.
I enjoyed and loathed it in equal measure and on that basis I rate it 3 out of five.

This was very thought-provoking. I love a book that gives me more than what I gave me just as I was reading it. One to think about for a while.