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Houseboy
Toundi Ondoua, the rural African protagonist of Houseboy, encounters a world of prisms that cast beautiful but unobtainable glimmers, especially for a black youth in colonial Cameroon. Houseboy, written in the form of Toundi's captivating diary and translated from the original French, discloses his awe of the white world and a web of unpredictable experiences. Early on, he escapes his father's angry blows by seeking asylum with his benefactor, the local European priest who meets an untimely death. Toundi then becomes "the Chief European's 'boy'--the dog of the King." Toundi's attempt to fulfill a dream of advancement and improvement opens his eyes to troubling realities. Gradually, preconceptions of the Europeans come crashing down on him as he struggles with his identity, his place in society, and the changing culture.
122 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
About the author
Ferdinand Oyono
14 books45 followersFerdinand Léopold Oyono was an author from Cameroon whose work is recognized for irony that shows how easily people can be fooled. Beginning in the 1960s, he had a long career of service as a diplomat and as a minister in the government, ultimately serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1992 to 1997 and then as Minister of State for Culture from 1997 to 2007.
Oyono's novels were written in French in the late 1950s and were only translated into English a decade or two afterward.
Oyono's novels were written in French in the late 1950s and were only translated into English a decade or two afterward.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
July 17, 2017
This novel, which was written decades ago is haunting and very powerful, evoking the colonial situation in black Africa in the past. It is very funny and very sombre and sad at the same time. The protagonist, the main narrator is naïve and fascinated by the "gleam" of white life and privilege (to use a word - gleam - beloved by the great Ayi Kwei Armah). Toundi believes great vistas are opening up for him by being the houseboy of one of the white colonial administrators. The author brilliantly explores the whole scenario, evoking the raw basic humanity in people across colours and race. Here we have discrimination, prejudice, lust and infidelity; and the cruelty personified by the police and penal system. The protagonist actually witnesses a horrific beating up/torture by the penal agents that tragically presages his own demise. As Toundi revels more and more in the white man's secrets, he seals his won doom in the process.
For example Toundi is initially fascinated with the wife of his "master" (more of this later) but soon realises that apart from being a mere human too despite her white colour, she is actually worthless and sleeps around extravagantly. Being aware of such a "secret" is of course dangerous though the irony is that it is no secret at all. When we see Toundi's white master implying that the "boy" smells badly, it mirrors the sentiment of the black girl lover of a whiteman who complains about the smell of her white boyfriend! Being white of course the lover boy is not too anxious to let the world know about his black girlfriend and does not trust her fidelity at all. In the end our narrator finds himself in an awkward situation though in no way culpable: he is arrested by the system and viciously worked over...soon to die more or less like a dog.
There is a memorable passage in this work that reflects how much Toundi initially "worshipped" the whites; when he first meets the wife of his master and she awkwardly shakes his hand. Hear him! "I have held the hand of my queen...from now on my hand is sacred...my hand belongs to my queen whose hair is the colour of ebony, whose skin is pink and white as ivory. A shudder ran through me at the touch of her hand...her smile is refreshing as a spring of water. Her look is as warm as a ray from the setting sun..." This passage is at the same time funny, serious and tragic. It rather encapsulates Toundi as his life hurtles towards implacable disaster...bohloko
March 12, 2013
I feel as if I've been in the presence of an underrated African classic. Cameroonian novelist and diplomat, Oyono, was visiting Guinea (during the time it was the colony Spanish Guinea), when he came across one of his countrymen. Later, he would be given the diary (or exercise book) of Toundi, a houseboy on the run. He translated the book from its original language, Ewondo, stating that he "tried to keep the richness of the original language without letting it get in the way of the story itself."
I enjoyed reading this book written in diary form because of the guileless storytelling: the book gives you such breathtaking story without trying to evoke a certain feeling from you, the reader. Although it is such a short read, there was so much descriptive language within the dialogue and narrative from Toundi, that you end up knowing so much in just a few pages. Each of the many characters have specific roles to play.
It is a tragic story about love, betrayal, and social injustice.
I enjoyed reading this book written in diary form because of the guileless storytelling: the book gives you such breathtaking story without trying to evoke a certain feeling from you, the reader. Although it is such a short read, there was so much descriptive language within the dialogue and narrative from Toundi, that you end up knowing so much in just a few pages. Each of the many characters have specific roles to play.
It is a tragic story about love, betrayal, and social injustice.
October 3, 2018
J'ai aimé ce livre plus que mon dernier livre d'Afrique subsaharienne, mais je n’ai toujours pas aimé ce livre. Cela m'a rappelé trop de « Things Fall Apart » de Chinua Achebe et de « Heart of Darkness » de Joseph Conrad, qui étaient des livres que je n'aimais pas. Je préfère lire sur les sociétés, les vies et les cultures africaines que sur les hommes blancs diaboliques. Le livre a attiré mon attention au début, mais a ensuite perdu mon attention à mi-parcours.
Traduit en anglais:
I liked this book more than my last sub-Saharan African book, but I still didn’t enjoy this book. It reminded me too much of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” and Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, which were books that I didn’t like. I’d prefer to read about the African societies, lives, and cultures than about evil white men. The book captured my attention in the beginning, but then lost my attention midway.
Traduit en anglais:
I liked this book more than my last sub-Saharan African book, but I still didn’t enjoy this book. It reminded me too much of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” and Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”, which were books that I didn’t like. I’d prefer to read about the African societies, lives, and cultures than about evil white men. The book captured my attention in the beginning, but then lost my attention midway.
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December 16, 2022This is the type of novel I've discussed many times 'round these parts, and it's a type of novel that basically no longer exists, and from what I can figure few read these books outside academic circles. These are the mid-century "what is to be done?" novels from the colonized world, featuring our usual educated native protagonist, the cast of wicked alcoholic colonists (optionally including at least one sexually degenerate military officer's wife), the empathetic love interest who is either the mistress or illegitimate half-caste daughter of a European planter, a sympathetic but ignorant yeomanry that has not yet achieved class consciousness in the background. Yes, it's tropey, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Buru Quartet, for instance, fits the bill, and it's one of the high-water achievements of 20th Century narrative art. Honestly? Oyono's version is middle of the pack. Which means that if you want this sort of narrative arc, there are better options, even if Oyono's version isn't bad.
January 31, 2019
!! full review - https://africanbookaddict.com/2019/01...
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October 11, 2022read for my african novel class
March 24, 2012
*تنبيه قد تكشف هذه القراءة أحداث الرواية
رواية تؤرخ لمرحلة الدخول الإستعماري في أفريقيا وهي ذات حبكة جميلة وبسيطة في نفس الوقت غير إنها مؤثرة ومليئة بالوجع ،كتبت كسيرة شخصية من جزئين تحكي سيرة أحد الفتيان السود الذي إلتحق بخدمة البعثة التبشيرية والتي وجد فيها خلاصه من حياة الفقر ومن عصا والده ، حالة من التمرد اجتاحت المراهق الأفريقي وكان الحل الذي أمامه هو العيش في ظل المستعمر الجديد قدم من خلال يومياته رؤيته للعالم وتفاصيل الحياة الجديدة التي أصبح يعيشها !
تاوندي أو الصبي الخادم شعر بقدسية الأب جيلبرت فاعتنق المسيحية وتحول إلى جوزيف واسبغ عليه جيلبرت عطفه كما لو كان لديه كلب يربيه ، غير أن الأب يموت وتنتقل الخدمة إلى القومندان الذي يمثل سلطة الحكومة ، والذي تعامل مع تاوندي بمنطق المستعمر ومع مضي الوقت في الخدمة يكتشف الصبي أن الرجل الأبيض ليس سوى رجل عادي لا يوجد ما يميزه !
( سيدي رجل مكتنز لساقيه عضلات ضخمة كساقي بائع متجول ، هو نوع الرجل الذي نسميه جذع الماهوغوني ، فجذع هذه الشجرة غاية في القوة ، ولا تنثني أبدا للعاصفة .. وأنا لستُ عاصفة .. إنني ذلك الشيء الذي يطيع ! )
غريب هذا المنطق جعلني أتساءل هل هو منطق متوارث ومن أين جاءت الفكرة أم إن اللون الأسود تعود على الطاعة و يجب أن يكون تابعا للون الأبيض ومن له الحق في إتخاذ ا مثل هذا القرار أعني أن يكون الأبيض هو السيد ووكأنه أصل الألوان لا أظنها سوى مجرد بدعة اخترعها الرجل الأبيض !
نعود للحكاية تصل زوجة القومندان وهي فتاة جميلة يقول عنها الفتى في يومياته
( سرت في جسدي انتفاضة للمس يدها الصغيرة الرطبة , حياتي امتزجت بحياتها مع تلك اللمسة ابتسامتها منعشة كماء الربيع ونظراتها دافئة كدفء شعاع شمس قبل الغروب , يغمرك بضوء يدفء أعماق قلبك إنني أحس بالخوف .. أحس بالخوف .. )
تاوندي كان لديه كل الحق في هذا الإحساس فهذه الفتاة لم تكن تختلف في نظرتها للخادم كعبد عليه أن يتلقى الأوامر وأن يسارع بتلبيتها دون أن تأخير أو إبطاء وإلا تعرض للعقاب ، النظرة المتعجرفة ذاتها تتكرر من رجل لسيدة ، وها هو العرق الأبيض الذي يدعي الشرف والبطولة يتعرى تماما كالعميان الذين لا يرون شيئا
الصبي الخادم كان فتى مرهفا يتعامل مع أسياده بعاطفة شديدة ولم يعرف كيف يتحرر من عاطفته التي جعلته يقاسي من أمور لا علاقة له بها عينه التي رأت كان يجب لها أن تموت لأنها لا يجب أن تقع على آثام إرتكبتها الأيادي البيضاء
أنا من الكاميرون يا صديقي، أنا من أكاكا ، كنتُ سأعيش طويلا حتى تشيخ عظامي لو كنتُ طيبا ولزمت بيتي .. في قريتي !
تنتهي الرواية بمصير مأساوي للفتى وهو أمر طبيعي أمام عنجهية وظلم الرجل الأبيض الذي لم يجابهه سوى بالسخرية والخوف والقهقهة السوداء من خلف الجدران
كتبت الرواية على شكل يوميات سيرة الفتى تاوندي ومن الطبيعي أن استرجع معها ما قرأته في هذا الموضوع سيرة عبد أميركي وكوخ العم توم غير أن المكان هنا يختلف أيضا أسلوب السرد غير أن الأمر لا يختلف في النتاج الذي جاء أيضا من واقع تجربة معاشة من الكاتب نفسه ففريناند الروائي الكاميروني الذي كتب الصبي الخادم كان قد إلتحق بالإرسالية الدينية في الكاميرون لكنه إنتقل لإكمال دراسته وعمل في السلك الدبلوماسي كممثل لبلاده في الأمم المتحدة ..
حين كنتُ أقرأ الرواية كنت ُ أشعر بشيء رافقني وأنا أقرأها للنهاية شيء أشبه بغصة كنتُ أشعر به حين كنتُ أقرأ كوخ العم توم ومذكرات عبد أمريكي ، هذا الشيء الذي لا بد وأن تحس به حين تكون على درجة من المسؤولية والفهم ولكنك لا تملك أن تفعل شيئا تتأسى فقط
أحيانا من شدة تفاعلك مع الرواية تود لو تكون أحدى شخصياتها لربما إستطعت أن تمد يد العون وتغير من أحداثها لصالح بطل الرواية
ألا يحدث لنا جميعا ذلك !
يحدث فقط إن كنت أمام كاتب بارع إستطاع أن يسرق أنفاسك
لقد خرجت منها وأنا في قمة الحزن !
رواية تؤرخ لمرحلة الدخول الإستعماري في أفريقيا وهي ذات حبكة جميلة وبسيطة في نفس الوقت غير إنها مؤثرة ومليئة بالوجع ،كتبت كسيرة شخصية من جزئين تحكي سيرة أحد الفتيان السود الذي إلتحق بخدمة البعثة التبشيرية والتي وجد فيها خلاصه من حياة الفقر ومن عصا والده ، حالة من التمرد اجتاحت المراهق الأفريقي وكان الحل الذي أمامه هو العيش في ظل المستعمر الجديد قدم من خلال يومياته رؤيته للعالم وتفاصيل الحياة الجديدة التي أصبح يعيشها !
تاوندي أو الصبي الخادم شعر بقدسية الأب جيلبرت فاعتنق المسيحية وتحول إلى جوزيف واسبغ عليه جيلبرت عطفه كما لو كان لديه كلب يربيه ، غير أن الأب يموت وتنتقل الخدمة إلى القومندان الذي يمثل سلطة الحكومة ، والذي تعامل مع تاوندي بمنطق المستعمر ومع مضي الوقت في الخدمة يكتشف الصبي أن الرجل الأبيض ليس سوى رجل عادي لا يوجد ما يميزه !
( سيدي رجل مكتنز لساقيه عضلات ضخمة كساقي بائع متجول ، هو نوع الرجل الذي نسميه جذع الماهوغوني ، فجذع هذه الشجرة غاية في القوة ، ولا تنثني أبدا للعاصفة .. وأنا لستُ عاصفة .. إنني ذلك الشيء الذي يطيع ! )
غريب هذا المنطق جعلني أتساءل هل هو منطق متوارث ومن أين جاءت الفكرة أم إن اللون الأسود تعود على الطاعة و يجب أن يكون تابعا للون الأبيض ومن له الحق في إتخاذ ا مثل هذا القرار أعني أن يكون الأبيض هو السيد ووكأنه أصل الألوان لا أظنها سوى مجرد بدعة اخترعها الرجل الأبيض !
نعود للحكاية تصل زوجة القومندان وهي فتاة جميلة يقول عنها الفتى في يومياته
( سرت في جسدي انتفاضة للمس يدها الصغيرة الرطبة , حياتي امتزجت بحياتها مع تلك اللمسة ابتسامتها منعشة كماء الربيع ونظراتها دافئة كدفء شعاع شمس قبل الغروب , يغمرك بضوء يدفء أعماق قلبك إنني أحس بالخوف .. أحس بالخوف .. )
تاوندي كان لديه كل الحق في هذا الإحساس فهذه الفتاة لم تكن تختلف في نظرتها للخادم كعبد عليه أن يتلقى الأوامر وأن يسارع بتلبيتها دون أن تأخير أو إبطاء وإلا تعرض للعقاب ، النظرة المتعجرفة ذاتها تتكرر من رجل لسيدة ، وها هو العرق الأبيض الذي يدعي الشرف والبطولة يتعرى تماما كالعميان الذين لا يرون شيئا
الصبي الخادم كان فتى مرهفا يتعامل مع أسياده بعاطفة شديدة ولم يعرف كيف يتحرر من عاطفته التي جعلته يقاسي من أمور لا علاقة له بها عينه التي رأت كان يجب لها أن تموت لأنها لا يجب أن تقع على آثام إرتكبتها الأيادي البيضاء
أنا من الكاميرون يا صديقي، أنا من أكاكا ، كنتُ سأعيش طويلا حتى تشيخ عظامي لو كنتُ طيبا ولزمت بيتي .. في قريتي !
تنتهي الرواية بمصير مأساوي للفتى وهو أمر طبيعي أمام عنجهية وظلم الرجل الأبيض الذي لم يجابهه سوى بالسخرية والخوف والقهقهة السوداء من خلف الجدران
كتبت الرواية على شكل يوميات سيرة الفتى تاوندي ومن الطبيعي أن استرجع معها ما قرأته في هذا الموضوع سيرة عبد أميركي وكوخ العم توم غير أن المكان هنا يختلف أيضا أسلوب السرد غير أن الأمر لا يختلف في النتاج الذي جاء أيضا من واقع تجربة معاشة من الكاتب نفسه ففريناند الروائي الكاميروني الذي كتب الصبي الخادم كان قد إلتحق بالإرسالية الدينية في الكاميرون لكنه إنتقل لإكمال دراسته وعمل في السلك الدبلوماسي كممثل لبلاده في الأمم المتحدة ..
حين كنتُ أقرأ الرواية كنت ُ أشعر بشيء رافقني وأنا أقرأها للنهاية شيء أشبه بغصة كنتُ أشعر به حين كنتُ أقرأ كوخ العم توم ومذكرات عبد أمريكي ، هذا الشيء الذي لا بد وأن تحس به حين تكون على درجة من المسؤولية والفهم ولكنك لا تملك أن تفعل شيئا تتأسى فقط
أحيانا من شدة تفاعلك مع الرواية تود لو تكون أحدى شخصياتها لربما إستطعت أن تمد يد العون وتغير من أحداثها لصالح بطل الرواية
ألا يحدث لنا جميعا ذلك !
يحدث فقط إن كنت أمام كاتب بارع إستطاع أن يسرق أنفاسك
لقد خرجت منها وأنا في قمة الحزن !
April 5, 2023
The novella, Houseboy, by Ferdinand Oyono is an amusing, sarcastic and ultimately tragic social commentary about European colonosiation of Africa. Through the unassuming yet astute eyes of houseboy, Toundi, we are given a view into the two worlds, one African and the other French, which share an uneasy coexistence in colonial, post-war Cameroon. As a houseboy or domestic servant for a French commandant, Toundi finds himself in a privileged position in which he can observe his European master and mistress in both public as well as private settings. Despite his naivety (ostensibly due to his unsophistication as an African houseboy), which at times leads to awkward yet hilarious situations, Toundi still keenly perceives the hypocrisy and immorality ingrained in European colonial civilization. At the same time he laments the impotence, or perhaps even cowardice, of his African countrymen in standing up to the European hegemony wrought by colonialism. This leads to outward expressions of defiance and resentment which quickly earn Toundi the wrath of his French overlords, leading to his ultimate tragic demise.
Houseboy is written in a very easy to read style which makes it accessible to anyone. What I enjoyed most about this book was how Oyono subtly relates the perspective of Toundi and his African contemporaries through the use of sarcasm and humor. He links their interpretation of the behavior of Europeans seamlessly to the traditional Cameroonian values and customs, in unexpected, creative ways. What I also found fascinating is how the story evolved and unravelled like a ball of twine, growing richer and more elaborate as it progresses until the denouement is finally reached. My only minor quibble with Houseboy is that it feels too short. I was left unsatiated - feeling as if I had read only a fragment of a story, one which could have been even more enthralling. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Houseboy and eagerly look forward to reading more of Oyono's work in the future.
Houseboy is written in a very easy to read style which makes it accessible to anyone. What I enjoyed most about this book was how Oyono subtly relates the perspective of Toundi and his African contemporaries through the use of sarcasm and humor. He links their interpretation of the behavior of Europeans seamlessly to the traditional Cameroonian values and customs, in unexpected, creative ways. What I also found fascinating is how the story evolved and unravelled like a ball of twine, growing richer and more elaborate as it progresses until the denouement is finally reached. My only minor quibble with Houseboy is that it feels too short. I was left unsatiated - feeling as if I had read only a fragment of a story, one which could have been even more enthralling. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Houseboy and eagerly look forward to reading more of Oyono's work in the future.
December 15, 2013
A beautifully written book that tells a story that moves from one point to the other effortlessly with deep contextualization of imperial Cameroon and the African condition; mainly embedded in the dialogues. It is an easy read that exposes the absurdities and brutalities of colonizers in Africa and the world Europeans created for themselves in Africa (almost cocooned).
It also shows the progression of the main character from being "in awe" of the colonizers, and at times feeling different to or separate from other Africans, to his journey of eye-opening and discovery through reflecting on the body language of his masters and the various incidents that occur that wake him up to the realities of how the African is really seen by the colonizeer
It also shows the progression of the main character from being "in awe" of the colonizers, and at times feeling different to or separate from other Africans, to his journey of eye-opening and discovery through reflecting on the body language of his masters and the various incidents that occur that wake him up to the realities of how the African is really seen by the colonizeer
March 7, 2017
I'm having a bit of a hard time rating this one. Toundi's story is troubling but engaging. The things that Toundi accepts as just a part of life as a black boy in Cameroon during this time period is sad and frustrating. The malice and pettiness that impacts Toundi's daily life from a young age made me want to grind my teeth just reading the descriptions. The story is told well but the ending is pretty abrupt. There is more that I would have like to have gotten in order for the story to come full circle. I kind of understand why it ended the way it did because Toundi was unable to continue the diary, but man I would like to have gotten the last leg of the journey for Toundi. Yet, I am very glad to have read this story. Full review to come.
March 10, 2019
C'est intéressant pour l'aspect historique mais ca n'a pas l'impact maintenant que ca devait avoir dans le temps. Aussi, la couverture avec la photo du petit garçon est ironique ou stupide parce que ce n'est pas le sens de "boy" et ce n'est pas une histoire d'enfants.
October 1, 2014
Another world fiction challenge book, my fourth in a month; I'm overdosed on these right now and need to take a break.
This novella is purportedly the diary of a Cameroonian "houseboy" (actually a young man, though we never learn his age), which as it is fiction, of course doesn't read like any real diary ever written. He becomes the servant of a powerful colonist, learns more about the whites than they're comfortable having him know, and it turns out badly for him. This book was originally published in 1956, when Cameroon was still a French colony, and no doubt caused a stir at the time and has historical value for that reason.
Eh, I could give some analysis of this book, the simple and abrupt writing style (at least in translation), the story that focuses on the day-to-day activities of the white employers more so than the narrator's inner life or feelings, but it boils down to another "this book has some academic value, but otherwise isn't likely to be of much interest unless you're from the area" review. I am tired of writing those reviews and you all are tired of reading them. I've read so many of these books now that even the most bizarre errors are beginning to repeat themselves - even the narrator's observing something and describing it as "imperceptible" (not "nearly imperceptible," but actually incapable of being perceived) only repeats a malapropism I'd seen before.
So, fuck it, instead I'm going to give you a list of obscure foreign (to me) books, mostly in translation and hard to find outside of a university library, that I did enjoy and find entertaining. Here you are:
Zenzele, Nozipo Maraire (Zimbabwe)
The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years and Jamilia, Chingiz Aitmatov (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively)
Four Reigns, Kukrit Pramoj (Thailand)
I Do Not Come to You By Chance, Adaobi Nwaubani (Nigeria)
Ports of Call, Amin Maalouf (Lebanon)
Fiela's Child, Dalene Matthee (South Africa)
Miss Chopsticks, Xinran (China)
This novella is purportedly the diary of a Cameroonian "houseboy" (actually a young man, though we never learn his age), which as it is fiction, of course doesn't read like any real diary ever written. He becomes the servant of a powerful colonist, learns more about the whites than they're comfortable having him know, and it turns out badly for him. This book was originally published in 1956, when Cameroon was still a French colony, and no doubt caused a stir at the time and has historical value for that reason.
Eh, I could give some analysis of this book, the simple and abrupt writing style (at least in translation), the story that focuses on the day-to-day activities of the white employers more so than the narrator's inner life or feelings, but it boils down to another "this book has some academic value, but otherwise isn't likely to be of much interest unless you're from the area" review. I am tired of writing those reviews and you all are tired of reading them. I've read so many of these books now that even the most bizarre errors are beginning to repeat themselves - even the narrator's observing something and describing it as "imperceptible" (not "nearly imperceptible," but actually incapable of being perceived) only repeats a malapropism I'd seen before.
So, fuck it, instead I'm going to give you a list of obscure foreign (to me) books, mostly in translation and hard to find outside of a university library, that I did enjoy and find entertaining. Here you are:
Zenzele, Nozipo Maraire (Zimbabwe)
The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years and Jamilia, Chingiz Aitmatov (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, respectively)
Four Reigns, Kukrit Pramoj (Thailand)
I Do Not Come to You By Chance, Adaobi Nwaubani (Nigeria)
Ports of Call, Amin Maalouf (Lebanon)
Fiela's Child, Dalene Matthee (South Africa)
Miss Chopsticks, Xinran (China)
March 2, 2016
Book 29 of the African Writer's Series depicts the despotic, cruel treatment of native Cameroonians in French Cameroun, the former League of Nations's mandate. The perspective is that of Toundi. The book is in the form of a diary although the reading is fluid like a novel is. Toundi left home as soon as he could do so and a priest Father Gilbert sheltered him. Eventually, the solitary Commandant hires him as his Houseboy. The former is rough but eventually softens his attitude to Toundi and approves of him. After a long while, the Commandant's beautiful wife arrives and settles in the house. Initially unbeknown to the Commandant, her secret tryst becomes the beginning of the end for Toundi.
May 12, 2023
Beautiful! In a very early modern style, the story is a man reading a dead man's diary who worked as a houseboy for a French priest and then a colonial officer. He first starts to believe in the idea of civilization promoted by the White man but then he comes to the bitter understanding that what the White man professes is not intended for the Black man. The writing is beautiful and I am sure I am gonna read it again in French. It has a marvelous insight into work and the way work is regarded through the lens of colonialism and race. Wonderful read!
May 28, 2018
قراءتي للرواية قديمة لكن اذكر انها كانت ممتعة وتستحث القاريء على إكمالها من دون مقاطعة أو إبطاء! ربما كانت من أول الأعمال التي قرأتها من الأدب الإفريقي المظلوم عربيا! ء
February 24, 2022
La première moitié a été frustrante à la lecture. On suit Toundi un jeune autochtone qui est boy chez des blancs. Il est bien évidemment victime de racisme et de d'abus physiques mais on a jamais son ressenti. Il ne fait que relater la vision et l'avis de ses maîtres blancs sans remise en perspective des coutumes. On a même parfois l'impression qu'il approuve cet ordre général tellement il adule ces blancs. La culture de son peuple est tournée en dérision et suscite du dégoût mais jamais il ne le critique ou l'a défend.
Dans la deuxième partie par contre, on a un Toundi clairement plus âgé et qui est dans une phase de désillusion, il ne s'émeut plus de rien. Il n'apprécie plus ses maîtres mais ne fait rien pour changer sa situation. Ce qui détonne complètement avec le Toundi qui avait décidé de son propre chef de quitter ses parents lorsqu'il était jeune, à cause de la maltraitance de son père.
C'est un roman tranche de vie sans prétention de rebondissement.
Dans la deuxième partie par contre, on a un Toundi clairement plus âgé et qui est dans une phase de désillusion, il ne s'émeut plus de rien. Il n'apprécie plus ses maîtres mais ne fait rien pour changer sa situation. Ce qui détonne complètement avec le Toundi qui avait décidé de son propre chef de quitter ses parents lorsqu'il était jeune, à cause de la maltraitance de son père.
C'est un roman tranche de vie sans prétention de rebondissement.
September 3, 2010
French colonials could be awfully nasty.
Since I knew this already, I didn't come away with any new insights from this book -- nor was I especially moved by the prose. Perhaps Oyono's work almost seems cliche nowadays, which is certainly not his fault. As one of the founders of the negritude movement, Oyono deserves props for being one of the early writers of the colonial experience, from a native perspective.
I do wish that the female character was better developed. She was simply nasty, rather than a fully-fleshed character who might have some redeeming qualities.
Since I knew this already, I didn't come away with any new insights from this book -- nor was I especially moved by the prose. Perhaps Oyono's work almost seems cliche nowadays, which is certainly not his fault. As one of the founders of the negritude movement, Oyono deserves props for being one of the early writers of the colonial experience, from a native perspective.
I do wish that the female character was better developed. She was simply nasty, rather than a fully-fleshed character who might have some redeeming qualities.
November 4, 2012
A journal written in Ewondo, the indigenous language of the Maka, translated by its founder into French. Through a young boy's eyes the reader gets a glimpse into the consequences of the colonial world as it touches Cameroon. Pay close attention to notions of propriety, whiteness, violence, sight and knowledge, and secret forms of resistance (through music, feigning understanding, feigning incomprehension, etc.) This novel is very written with subtlety, making it a compelling and challenging read.
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January 31, 2021I didn’t want to rate this since I read it for class... this book is fine, and I get why we read it, but I don’t know that I’d recommend it to anyone else. Very meh, but talk about a cliffhanger at the end!
February 4, 2009
There are a lot of reasons to like books. Some have great stories. Some have great prose. Some just strike a certain pitch or tone that inspires the reader, etc. It is a combination of several of these, not necessarily an achievement in one, that makes me feel compelled to give this novel four stars. Houseboy follows the narrative of a young African named Toundi. A series of events brings him into the world of white foreigners where he begins to learn hard lessons about just how cruel men can be to each other, particularly when they don't see each other as men, let alone equals.
Books like this aren't always fun to read. They're interesting, make no mistake, but they shed a pretty sickly light on aspects of humanity that most of us would rather not think about. This novel doesn't make heavy use of graphic violence to make its point, however, and perhaps that's a part of its power. Through clean, razor-sharp prose it places a kind of microscope on Africa during the age of imperialism. The dark absurdity of white interference in Toundi's world becomes readily apparent and deeply shocking.
More than anything else, this book is just well written. The prose wastes no time, plays no games, and lays things flat on the table. Toundi's voice is clear and concise, and for that reason the world can't help but feel realistic, and that realism in turn fuels thought, empathy, and understanding. There's little else you can ask of an author.
Books like this aren't always fun to read. They're interesting, make no mistake, but they shed a pretty sickly light on aspects of humanity that most of us would rather not think about. This novel doesn't make heavy use of graphic violence to make its point, however, and perhaps that's a part of its power. Through clean, razor-sharp prose it places a kind of microscope on Africa during the age of imperialism. The dark absurdity of white interference in Toundi's world becomes readily apparent and deeply shocking.
More than anything else, this book is just well written. The prose wastes no time, plays no games, and lays things flat on the table. Toundi's voice is clear and concise, and for that reason the world can't help but feel realistic, and that realism in turn fuels thought, empathy, and understanding. There's little else you can ask of an author.
August 28, 2012
i read this book as part of my English literature in school, and i must say that even though the idea of colonialism is not a new concept, it is quite well written. there are many books on the topic of colonialism that are better written but i think that for a translation, it is quite good and the story is catching. i did not really relate to the characters because there wasn't much development and they were a bit lacking in depth. i guess though that since it is a short book this is excusable.
the story is quite touching and touches the concept of colonialism and its effect on our lives, but to me it was more a story about being interested in a world or things that seem perfect from afar but i have no experience with. In that way, am sure that a lot of people can relate to it.
though the characterisation in this story is slightly lacking in depth, i did like it and i can see why this story is useful. basically what i get from this book is that no world is perfect, which am sure is commonly known by a lot of people. for instance, Toundi's character being in both worlds helps us to see the imperfections in them and tells us that nothing is as it seems to be and there are always positive and negative sides to things.
this story is basically about a Cameroonian boy named Toundi who becomes the houseboy of a priest after leaving his home. we follow him through his diary as he comes to understand both worlds and how this leads to his eventual demise
the story is quite touching and touches the concept of colonialism and its effect on our lives, but to me it was more a story about being interested in a world or things that seem perfect from afar but i have no experience with. In that way, am sure that a lot of people can relate to it.
though the characterisation in this story is slightly lacking in depth, i did like it and i can see why this story is useful. basically what i get from this book is that no world is perfect, which am sure is commonly known by a lot of people. for instance, Toundi's character being in both worlds helps us to see the imperfections in them and tells us that nothing is as it seems to be and there are always positive and negative sides to things.
this story is basically about a Cameroonian boy named Toundi who becomes the houseboy of a priest after leaving his home. we follow him through his diary as he comes to understand both worlds and how this leads to his eventual demise
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September 20, 2010A great, short read. Deals with the issue of colonialism in Africa, and the greatest and most tragic contradiction there is-young, educated, Christian black men (and women) struggling to be like their colonizers, the ones who turned their lives upside down & erased their culture - in this case, the French. The story is in the format of a diary , told from the perspective of Toundi, a young Cameroon who runs away from his abusive father in a tribal setting opting to grow up in the church around whites, abandoning his family and culture in hopes of making something else of his life. Toundi's story is ironic and tragic- he gives up his traditional identity and is drawn into the web of servitude, standing transfixed as his fate and ultimate demise approaches. Toundi's sensitive self-esteem and idealistic attitude about the Europeans begin to flake, when he begins to realize that he belongs not to the world of his village nor to the one of the whites, but is caught in the groundswell of those Africans whose fate became inextricably tied to that of the colonialists and the changing world. Toundi inquires at the end of his life...."Brother, what are we? What are we blackmen who are called French?"
September 14, 2013
It's a first-person diary account of the boy's life from his father's house to the final days. The story of a Cameroonian boy during the height of colonization who thought life would be better with the colonizers than under his father's strict rules. He becomes a head priest's assistant, but after his death, the boy becomes the servant of a commander/politician/colonizer. Then things fall apart. Completely. He realizes the true value of his skin color. Quick read. 122 pages that flows well. Honestly, it's one of those books that, as a Black woman, you read and realize that you have been socialized in such a way (as a result of colonial/slavery/racial issues touched on in the book) that your interactions with other races will always be scripted in some manner. Some of the characters in the book offer the main character some really good advice. That advice is what many people of color consider life's script now.
January 28, 2013
ياه يا أفريقيا !!
"إلا مَ يؤول العالم"
الرواية من اروع ما قرأت , نحن نجهل افريقيا تقدم رواية جانبا من صراع عاشته افريقيا مع الأوروبين. الترجمة رائعة و حققها إلياس خوري لغتها جميلة و المقدمة التي كتبها خوري للرواية قيمة و جميلة عرض خلالها مجموعة من الروايت الافريقية المهمة . سؤال الهوية فيها حاضر بشكل موجع من الجمل القاتلة في الرواية ذلك السؤال الموجع:" أخي ما نحن؟؟ ما نحن الرجال المسمون فرنسيين و صار صوته يقطر ألماً"
تعرض الممراسات الاستعمارية البيضاء ضد الافارقة و ذلك الامتهان لكراماتهم و حقوقهم و اعتبارهم أقل ذكاءاً و انسانية من الأوروبي الأبيض , تعرض أيضاً دور الكنيسة في افريقيا
. في الرواية الكثير مما يستحق الاقتباس لكن صعوبة الاختيار قيدتني
تستحق القراءة بشدة
بعد إنهائها لا أجد ما أقوله إلا ما قاله تاوندي " إحساس صقيع يجتاحني"!
"إلا مَ يؤول العالم"
الرواية من اروع ما قرأت , نحن نجهل افريقيا تقدم رواية جانبا من صراع عاشته افريقيا مع الأوروبين. الترجمة رائعة و حققها إلياس خوري لغتها جميلة و المقدمة التي كتبها خوري للرواية قيمة و جميلة عرض خلالها مجموعة من الروايت الافريقية المهمة . سؤال الهوية فيها حاضر بشكل موجع من الجمل القاتلة في الرواية ذلك السؤال الموجع:" أخي ما نحن؟؟ ما نحن الرجال المسمون فرنسيين و صار صوته يقطر ألماً"
تعرض الممراسات الاستعمارية البيضاء ضد الافارقة و ذلك الامتهان لكراماتهم و حقوقهم و اعتبارهم أقل ذكاءاً و انسانية من الأوروبي الأبيض , تعرض أيضاً دور الكنيسة في افريقيا
. في الرواية الكثير مما يستحق الاقتباس لكن صعوبة الاختيار قيدتني
تستحق القراءة بشدة
بعد إنهائها لا أجد ما أقوله إلا ما قاله تاوندي " إحساس صقيع يجتاحني"!
May 9, 2013
سيدي رجل مكتنز لساقيه عضلات ضخمة كساقي بائع متجول ، هو نوع الرجل الذي نسميه جذع الماهوغوني ، فجذع هذه الشجرة غاية في القوة ، ولا تنثني أبدا للعاصفة ..
و أنا لستُ عاصفة .. إنني ذلك الشيء الذي يطيع
______
عن إفريقيا و الاستعمار و عبودية الطاعة , عن رئة العالم السوداء الدامية
و أنا لستُ عاصفة .. إنني ذلك الشيء الذي يطيع
______
عن إفريقيا و الاستعمار و عبودية الطاعة , عن رئة العالم السوداء الدامية
October 28, 2012
باب على الكتابات الأفريقية " المنسية" عمدًا ..!
April 8, 2013
I read this book when I was sixteen. It is a beautiful soul stirring piece that captures colonial Africa in its real form. An absolute masterpiece.
October 21, 2014
I could probably like this book, if I didn't have to read it for class.
August 9, 2015
I liked how easy going the guy was, no whining here
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