In the face of centuries-long devastations wrought on the African continent and her diaspora by slavery, colonialism, apartheid and racism, what form of recompense could possibly be adequate? This work examines the question, illuminating the principle duty of memory to bear the record of injustice.

"Inspiring and original....Soyinka's analysis of the 20th century problem of memory and forgiveness in the African world is both timely and important. Soyinka's analysis of the problem is an initial volley in what will surely become a 21st century debate." --The New York Times Book Review "Robust with extensive allusions to politics, religion, history, and, of course, literature....Soyinka's quest in this book is for true restitution for all the moral and material wrongs done to Africa, whether through slavery or colonialism, whether by the West or the East."--San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "Powerful."--Kirkus "Robust with extensive allusions to politics, religion, history, and, of course, literature....Soyinka's quest in this book is for true restitution for all the moral and material wrongs done to Africa, whether through slavery or colonialism, whether by the West or the East."--San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "Daunting and worthwhile....Soyinka's view through the microscope at the end of the Petri dish that is Africa is, in itself, important....It is a book that forces you to read each sentence, drink it, absorb it and move to the next."--ForeWord "Wole Soyinka's distinction as a writer and his courage as a spokesperson for democracy in Africa are unparalleled. With a vast cultural perspective enriched with poetic resonance, Soyinka stages here a dramatic representation of existence."--Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University "Powerful."--Kirkus "The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness offers a moving and eloquent look at a handful of African nations once torn by repression."--America "Soyinka's arguments, delivered with furious eloquence, are wide in scope and should be taken seriously."--San Diego Union-Tribune "Soyinka is at all times provocative, engaging and enthusiastic in his journey to discovery. Soyinka challenges the readers with ideas, questions and continued searching as he explores the future of Africa with a close eye on its past. The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness serves up important reminders in rebuilding nations and the spirits of its citizens." --Jason Zappe, Syndicated "Inspiring and original....Soyinka's analysis of the 20th century problem of memory and forgiveness in the African world is both timely and important. Soyinka's analysis of the problem is an initial volley in what will surely become a 21st-century debate." --Caryl Phillips, New York Times Book Review

"Inspiring and original....Soyinka's analysis of the 20th century problem of memory and forgiveness in the African world is both timely and important. Soyinka's analysis of the problem is an initial volley in what will surely become a 21st century debate." --The New York Times Book Review "Robust with extensive allusions to politics, religion, history, and, of course, literature....Soyinka's quest in this book is for true restitution for all the moral and material wrongs done to Africa, whether through slavery or colonialism, whether by the West or the East."--San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "Powerful."--Kirkus "Robust with extensive allusions to politics, religion, history, and, of course, literature....Soyinka's quest in this book is for true restitution for all the moral and material wrongs done to Africa, whether through slavery or colonialism, whether by the West or the East."--San Francisco Examiner & Chronicle "Daunting and worthwhile....Soyinka's view through the microscope at the end of the Petri dish that is Africa is, in itself, important....It is a book that forces you to read each sentence, drink it, absorb it and move to the next."--ForeWord "Wole Soyinka's distinction as a writer and his courage as a spokesperson for democracy in Africa are unparalleled. With a vast cultural perspective enriched with poetic resonance, Soyinka stages here a dramatic representation of existence."--Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University "Powerful."--Kirkus "The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness offers a moving and eloquent look at a handful of African nations once torn by repression."--America "Soyinka's arguments, delivered with furious eloquence, are wide in scope and should be taken seriously."--San Diego Union-Tribune "Soyinka is at all times provocative, engaging and enthusiastic in his journey to discovery. Soyinka challenges the readers with ideas, questions and continued searching as he explores the future of Africa with a close eye on its past. The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness serves up important reminders in rebuilding nations and the spirits of its citizens." --Jason Zappe, Syndicated "Inspiring and original....Soyinka's analysis of the 20th century problem of memory and forgiveness in the African world is both timely and important. Soyinka's analysis of the problem is an initial volley in what will surely become a 21st-century debate." --Caryl Phillips, New York Times Book Review

A moving and eloquent look at Africa from Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka offers a moving and eloquent look at nations once torn by repression--can they ever reconcile the oppressor and the victim?

Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He is Woodruff Professor of the Arts at Emory University, in Atlanta, a Fellow of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute at Harvard, and was recently named the first Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence by New York University's Africana Studies Program and the Institute of African-American Affairs.

A moving and eloquent look at Africa from Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka offers a moving and eloquent look at nations once torn by repression--can they ever reconcile the oppressor and the victim?