The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy
The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy
Book Brief
The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1954192
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Guinea • 1930s-1940s
1954
Adult
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy by Camara Laye follows Laye's journey from his boyhood in a Guinean village to his educational pursuits in the coastal city of Conakry, shaped by his family, culture, and Islamic faith. As Laye grows up, he navigates family expectations, cultural traditions, personal ambitions, and colonial influences, ultimately accepting a scholarship to study in France, marking a significant step in his life's journey.
Melancholic
Mysterious
Nostalgic
Contemplative
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Camara Laye's The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy offers a poignant and introspective look into the author's childhood in Guinea. Praised for its lyrical prose and cultural depth, it vividly depicts African traditions and the tug between modernity and heritage. Some readers might find its pace slow, but its rich narrative and evocative imagery leave a lasting impact.
Who Should Read The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy?
A reader who would enjoy The Dark Child: The Autobiography of an African Boy by Camara Laye is likely interested in autobiographies, African literature, and coming-of-age stories. This reader may also appreciate works like Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings for their cultural and personal narratives.
Camara Laye's The Dark Child was originally published in French in 1953 as L'Enfant noir and was later translated into numerous languages, including English, gaining international acclaim.
The book is often praised for its vivid portrayal of traditional life in Guinea, providing readers with an authentic glimpse into the Malinke culture and customs of the author’s childhood.
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Camara Laye became one of the first African writers to earn significant attention in the Francophone literary world, with his autobiography often considered a seminal work in African literature.
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192
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Guinea • 1930s-1940s
1954
Adult
14-18 years
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