Chronicles of Darkness

by David Ward

Overview

First published in 1989, Chronicles of Darkness is about images of Africa seen through the eyes of writers, visitors, residents, and native-born. They range from Joseph Conrad and Olive Schreiner, through Laurens van der Post, Karen Blixen and Evelyn Waugh, to more recent writers like Nadine Gordimer, Andre Brink and J.M. Coetzee.

Such writers have frequently been faced with feelings of alienation, marginality, exile, self-consciousness, and egoism. It is only in this sense- that the eyes which see are shadowed and troubled- that Africa is a ‘dark continent’ and that these writings are ‘chronicles of darkness’. In some cases, Africa, even if merely a backdrop painted in crude and garish colors, becomes a way of revealing or admitting something about ‘Europe’ which might be concealed when a writer performs in a different theatre. This is an interesting read for scholars and researchers of English literature and African studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032762852
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/29/2024
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	206
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Abbreviations of Principal Works Discussed and Editions Cited 1. Chronicles of Darkness 2. Joseph Conrad: Heart of Darkness 3. Olive Schreiner: The Story of an African Farm 4. William Plomer: Turbott Wolfe 5. Laurens van der Post: In a Province 6. Karen Blixen (‘Isak Dinesen’): Out of Africa 7. Evelyn Waugh: Scoop And Joyce Cary: Mister Johnson 8. Elspeth Huxley: The Flame Trees of Thika 9. Graham Greene: The Heart of the Matter and A Burnt-out Case 10. Alan Paton: Cry, the Beloved Country 11. Doris Lessing 12. Nadine Gordimer: The Short Stories 13. Nadine Gordimer: The Novels 14. Andre Brink 15. J.M. Coetzee Notes Index