One of the young African men in this WWII novel is so proud of his new military boots that he hangs them by the laces around his neck and starts a fashion trend in his village, providing one of many powerful and poignant images that fill Bandele's distinctive first novel. The story chronicles the Chindits, a band of African soldiers enlisted by the British military and sent to Burma to fight the Japanese. Among them is Farabiti Banana, a 14-year-old Nigerian who becomes a soldier to follow the lead of his friends and hopes the military will make him a man. Once out of training, life becomes increasingly dangerous for Banana and his eight fellow Chindits, and by the novel's climax, he's become a man, but at a great cost. Bandele favors a straight-ahead style fueled by imagery and wordplay, and his perspective on heavily traveled literary territory is refreshing and even endearing. (Apr.)
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Deft shifts of tone-from affectionately comic to visceral-enlarge a novella that pays tribute to the African soldiers who fought in Southeast Asia during World War II. Bandele, a Nigerian novelist, playwright and director, as well as the son of a Burma campaign veteran, delivers cultural richness and a powerful immediacy in his brief but intense evocation of jungle warfare against the Japanese. The prologue offers a stark snapshot of the British historical figure Major Orde Wingate, whose legendary Chindits suffered grueling conditions in Burma, fighting behind enemy lines. Having successfully led a guerrilla army against the Italians in Abyssinia, Wingate was sent to Burma where he set up six Chindit brigades including one entirely comprised of West Africans. Thirteen-year-old Ali Banana, the focal point of the book, is one of the eight Nigerian soldiers in D-Section whose camaraderie, banter, arguments and reminiscence highlight their diversity (Muslims and Christians; speakers of Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, etc.) as well as their shared responses to the terrors and madness of combat. Airlifted into Burma, they undertake an exhausting march, ambush a Japanese convoy, then help defend White City, a British base under fearsome attack by bombers and suicide squads. Ali's ultimate coming of age involves an act of courage far beyond his years. A revelation of unsung heroism, distinguished by love of language and lightness of touch.
In The King’s Rifle, Biyi Bandele-Thomas redresses a historical absence with characters and a story that are poignant, warm, heartbreaking and triumphant. A wonderful novel, part war story, part coming of age narrative, and all heart. — Chris Abani, author of Graceland, Song for Night and The Virgin of Flames
“A revelation of unsung heroism distinguished by love of language and lightness of touch.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Refreshing and even endearing. . .” — Publishers Weekly
“A funny, eye-opening and moving read.” — Essence
Part history lesson, part coming-of-age tale, and filled with the dark comedy of war. — New York Post
“A sophisticated, evocative, and haunting coming-of-age story.” — School Library Journal
Part history lesson, part coming-of-age tale, and filled with the dark comedy of war.
In The King’s Rifle, Biyi Bandele-Thomas redresses a historical absence with characters and a story that are poignant, warm, heartbreaking and triumphant. A wonderful novel, part war story, part coming of age narrative, and all heart.
A funny, eye-opening and moving read.
Part history lesson, part coming-of-age tale, and filled with the dark comedy of war.
A funny, eye-opening and moving read.