The Last of the Empire: A Senegalese Novel (African Writers Series)

by Ousmane Sembène, Adrian Adams (Translator)

The government of an African country is thrown into turmoil when the President mysteriously disappears and a coup attempt begins to seem likely

Genres: Senegal, Fiction, Africa, Western Africa, African Literature

238 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1983

About the author

Ousmane Sembène often credited in the French style as Sembène Ousmane in articles and reference works, was a Senegalese film director, producer and writer. The Los Angeles Times considered him one of the greatest authors of Africa and has often been called the "Father of African film."

Reviews

[Sincerae Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last of the Empire is different from books I tend to read. It's a political thriller set in Senegal centered around a cadre of the political class. Even though the characters are fictional, Ousmane Sembene wove into the story bits of real historical events and figures.

Besides the storytelling and the dialogue I really liked that the political machinations described in the book mirrors some of what is happening now on the political stage even here in the US.

I enjoyed this novel. It's timeless.

[Brandon Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong costa-gavras style political thriller. An aging politician questions his life-long role in lending legitimacy to a neocolonial regime as rival factions of the comprador and wanna-be comprador bourgeoisie vie for power in Senegal circa 1980. A critique of Léopold Sédar Senghor’s post independence regime and an exposure of how ‘negritude’ style nationalist ideologies — satirized here as “authenegrafricanitus” — function as romantic veils for the soulless barbarism of comprador rule. It’s a *crime* that all of Sembene’s fiction is not available in English translation.

Good essay for historical context:
"State Formation and Legitimation Crisis in Senegal"
Moustapha Diouf
Review of African Political Economy, No. 54, Surviving Democracy? (Jul., 1992), pp. 117-125

[Louis Pilard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great satirical comedy about the inner party politics of the Senegalese postcolonial administration. Sembene writes in a Fanonian vein, critiquing the pitfalls of post independence nationalism, corruption and cronyism, the destructive legacy of French colonialism and neo colonialism lurks in the background and breaks through the foreground regularly. The stories of the principle characters and the different spaces they have occupied throughout colonial and independent senegal give this novel as much heart as it has wit. Sembene writes with humour, levity and profundity.

[Sadhbh Goodhue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came across this book on social media and sought it out as I’d never heard of Sembene Ousmane and am always very interested in reading African writers I haven’t heard of before. The Last of Empire is a tense political thriller set in Senegal in the 1980s - reminded me a little of Graham Greene in style. The scene is set with the news that the President has gone missing, thus unfolding a complex web of intrigue amongst his colleagues in government. It’s a real page turner, and insightful regarding nascent post-colonial political machinations. The denouement was quite complex - I’ll have to continue to work it out - but it was definitely worth reading, extremely atmospheric, narratively compelling and excellent character portraits. Will seek out more of his books now.

[Amaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating account of early post-colonial politics in Senegal that explores caste politics, corruption, and the limits of charismatic leadership combined with faux revolutionary nationalism.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

Reviewed by The Complete Review

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another clever look a the reality of government. I like his disclamer that it is purely fiction and no charachters in his book could possibly have any resemblance to the real and very upright leaders of his country... methinks he doth protest too much

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

neat little book about squabbling Senegalese politicians.