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Striving for the Wind
Set in Kenya, this portrayal of post-colonial decadence features the newly wealthy black landowner, Baba Pesa, who clashes with his family, friends and neighbours as he attempts to gain financial dominance of his region.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
About the author
Meja Mwangi
39 books107 followersMeja Mwangi began his writing career in the 1970s, a decade after his more well-known compatriots such as Ngugi wa Thiong'o and Grace Ogot had been publishing their works. When he burst onto the scene with the award-winning Kill Me Quick in 1973, Mwangi was hailed in various quarters as a rising star in the East African literary constellation who was helping to disprove Taban lo Liyong's oft-cited claim that East Africa was a literary desert (Taban 1965, Nazareth 1976). Since then, Meja Mwangi has gone on to establish himself as one of the most prolific of Kenyan writers, publishing eleven novels in seventeen years in addition to short stories, children's books and working with a variety of projects in film. Mwangi's works have received awards in Kenya and abroad, they have been translated into six languages, and there are film versions of two of his novels.
For many Kenyan writers, the armed resistance to British colonialism in Kenya, which came to be known as the Mau Mau revolt and reached its height in the 1950s, was a far-reaching experience. [Meja Mwangi' Mau Mau novel] Weapon of Hunger is perhaps [his] best book yet. The picture he paints of the relentless quest for modern Africa is grim. What is most depressing, is that there seem to be no solutions. Western philanthropists, such as Jack Rivers, are portrayed in a favourable light as sincere people. All their energies, however, are expended on trying to understand Africa's problems and once they understand them they realise that the problems are beyond them. As for the Africans themselves, they could have provided solutions, but since they are lined up in warring factions, that is impossible. While the two sides fight on to the finish, will million of ordinary people continue to starve to dead? That is the questions which Meja Mwangi asks himself and which he asks the readers of Weapon.
(Excerpt from: Lynn Mansure, Weekly Review)
For many Kenyan writers, the armed resistance to British colonialism in Kenya, which came to be known as the Mau Mau revolt and reached its height in the 1950s, was a far-reaching experience. [Meja Mwangi' Mau Mau novel] Weapon of Hunger is perhaps [his] best book yet. The picture he paints of the relentless quest for modern Africa is grim. What is most depressing, is that there seem to be no solutions. Western philanthropists, such as Jack Rivers, are portrayed in a favourable light as sincere people. All their energies, however, are expended on trying to understand Africa's problems and once they understand them they realise that the problems are beyond them. As for the Africans themselves, they could have provided solutions, but since they are lined up in warring factions, that is impossible. While the two sides fight on to the finish, will million of ordinary people continue to starve to dead? That is the questions which Meja Mwangi asks himself and which he asks the readers of Weapon.
(Excerpt from: Lynn Mansure, Weekly Review)
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 7, 2011
I am thankful that Heinemann, a British publisher, has seen fit to make sure that English-speaking readers have the opportunity to experience the depth, warmth, humor, and perseverance of African characters written by African writers.
To say that Striving for the Wind is only about a rich man vs. a poor man (and a poor village) is an oversimplification. Mr. Mwangi has crafted an almost Shakespearean tale set in rural Kenya. The main protagonist is Baba Pesa, the town bully: he's toughest, meanest, and by far the richest. Eldest son Juda enjoys his position as the town drunk yet also the wisest of philosophers. Juda tends to side with the man whom Baba Pesa considers his biggest enemy--Baba Baru. Baru's crime is not caving into Pesa's demands, but he is also beholden to his own family who, like most of the village people, suffer a meager existence. Mutiso the Goatherd is the kindest and wisest of all the men, and thus often ends up spending time with the women instead of other men. While Mama Pesa and Mama Baru handle things much differently than the men, they too are bound by time-honored traditions. The two may seem docile and subservient, but they have the heaviest loads to bear, and they bear them much better than the men do. In addition, there is a dazzling array of fun characters (including Juda's dog Confucius, the Thinker) and a plot that goes in unexpected directions, including themes of religion, police brutality, farm life, poverty, brain drain, women's rights (or lack thereof), and cronyism. Ultimately, this novel speaks volumes about the effects of imperialist colonization and its aftermath.
What struck me first and foremost about this book though is the humor. I laughed aloud several times, and yet almost always I wanted to cry too. The only book I've read that has had a similar feel to it is My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore by Adam Zameenad. These types of works open up new worlds for those of us who haven't had much exposure to the so-called Third World other than the occasional sound byte on the nightly world news.
To say that Striving for the Wind is only about a rich man vs. a poor man (and a poor village) is an oversimplification. Mr. Mwangi has crafted an almost Shakespearean tale set in rural Kenya. The main protagonist is Baba Pesa, the town bully: he's toughest, meanest, and by far the richest. Eldest son Juda enjoys his position as the town drunk yet also the wisest of philosophers. Juda tends to side with the man whom Baba Pesa considers his biggest enemy--Baba Baru. Baru's crime is not caving into Pesa's demands, but he is also beholden to his own family who, like most of the village people, suffer a meager existence. Mutiso the Goatherd is the kindest and wisest of all the men, and thus often ends up spending time with the women instead of other men. While Mama Pesa and Mama Baru handle things much differently than the men, they too are bound by time-honored traditions. The two may seem docile and subservient, but they have the heaviest loads to bear, and they bear them much better than the men do. In addition, there is a dazzling array of fun characters (including Juda's dog Confucius, the Thinker) and a plot that goes in unexpected directions, including themes of religion, police brutality, farm life, poverty, brain drain, women's rights (or lack thereof), and cronyism. Ultimately, this novel speaks volumes about the effects of imperialist colonization and its aftermath.
What struck me first and foremost about this book though is the humor. I laughed aloud several times, and yet almost always I wanted to cry too. The only book I've read that has had a similar feel to it is My Friend Matt and Hena the Whore by Adam Zameenad. These types of works open up new worlds for those of us who haven't had much exposure to the so-called Third World other than the occasional sound byte on the nightly world news.
October 22, 2021
Packed to the brim with vivid characterisations, Mwangi's novel fairly leaps off the page and deposits you into the lives of 2 families in rural Kenya. Laugh out loud funny, farcical and sad sometimes all at the same time, Mwangi doesn't take the easy way out and provide your typical happy Hollywood ending. Colonialism and it's aftereffects permeate the atmosphere. Retired Mau Mau make an authoritarian appearance in a rather vain attempt to control an anarchic village packed with personalities all trying to survive as best they can. This was really really well done.
December 14, 2015
Not a bad novel at all. I enjoyed the proverbs and imagery.
This book is rich in humour. There were too many typos and grammatical errors, though. I hope the errors are dealt with in the latest edition.
The other thing I hope has been dealt with is the idea that circumcision is the only mark of manhood, and that uncircumcised men are foolish boys. We should accept that not all cultures circumcise their males.
This book is rich in humour. There were too many typos and grammatical errors, though. I hope the errors are dealt with in the latest edition.
The other thing I hope has been dealt with is the idea that circumcision is the only mark of manhood, and that uncircumcised men are foolish boys. We should accept that not all cultures circumcise their males.
January 3, 2021
The Haves and Have Not is depicted clearly. Baba Pesa the richest man in Kambi village downsizes the poor and bends the law for his desires. 'Money speaks' is his slogan as he lures those in authority by buying them beer. I've never hated a character as much as I did to this one.
Baru, the poor man suffers immensely been Pesa's neighbour as he refuses to sell his land to him. This propels the book into humour, misery, love, hatred as Kambi village tries to thrive in its slumber where all seems to be lost.
My favourite part had to be the ability of the people to come up with appropriate nicknames that each resonated with the characters.
The downsize, too many grammatical errors.
Baru, the poor man suffers immensely been Pesa's neighbour as he refuses to sell his land to him. This propels the book into humour, misery, love, hatred as Kambi village tries to thrive in its slumber where all seems to be lost.
My favourite part had to be the ability of the people to come up with appropriate nicknames that each resonated with the characters.
The downsize, too many grammatical errors.
February 14, 2022
billed as hilarious allegory of Neo-colonial decadence, it was more sad, although there was a bit of redemption at the end. Just good to be with a Kenyan writer again.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews