Son of Woman

by Charles Mangua

An instant success and bestseller in Kenya, which ran into 6 reprints, this prize-winning novel marked the beginning of popular literature in Kenya. Mangua's novel is a fictional, autobiographical account of the son of a prostitute. The male narrator describes his life as the orphan of a prostitute in the slums of Nairobi, a young man frequenting bars and brothels, a student, corrupt civil servant and seasonal convict. His is a humorous and cynical account revealing much about the unsavoury aspects of a world experiencing rapid social change. Charles Mangua is a prolific writer of popular literature, and author of three other novels, Son of Woman in Mombasa (the sequel to Son of Woman), A Tail in the Mouth, and Kanina and I.

Genres: Fiction, Africa

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Charles Mangua is a Kenyan fiction writer. His novels explore, among other issues, the "hardship and urban poverty" experienced by ordinary people in places such as Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Mangua's style is irreverent and often humorous. His early works, Son of Woman (1971) and A Tail in the Mouth (1972), sold more copies than any previous works of literature published in East Africa. His work had an influence on other Kenyan writers and he was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature for A Tail in the Mouth.

Reviews

[Innocent Mbuya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Just loved this book from the start of it. Loved the way he started the writings and the whole story in it. So nice so good #Dodge Kiunyu

[Samuel Kimanthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Try not to laugh while reading this book. Just try.

[Ciiku]

Ok, how did this book win awards?

That aside, let me say a couple of things:

1. I am here for African books that aren't serious. This one is not serious. It is quite problematic.
2. It was published in 1971 and it was written by a Kenyan man so expect loads of misogyny and homophobia.
3. This book doesn't have a plot.
4. This book wasn't edited - the numerous typos and numbers that don't add up are testament to this.

I only finished it so that I could come on here and write about it. I am not sure I liked it but it was entertaining to read - that much I can say.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am missing to read this book.

[Ekongu Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

son of woman mangua

[Gary Chipolyonga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Vincent Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the books you reading asking yourself, "Is this really happening? Did the publisher really publish it?" and then you realize you have been entertained so much you forgot there was a theme, plot, and development being addressed.

This is a good pop literature book, what our Kenyan market needs were it not for the tyranny of educational texts, lack of reading culture, and appetite for Western pop literature books.

[Wangũi Ng'ang'a]

This book is simply psychotic.I read it back in the day,though my copy was half-and-half.Now I really want 2 read the full book bt I'm not 2 sure my principles allow me to...

[Kokwirry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindly anybody willing to share this book.....cant seem to find a complete copy

[Bonny Mwenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, unapologetic and hilarious. Mangua never disappoints