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Critiques

Book Reviews

Perspectives

Explore my thoughts on books I read in 2025-2026 (so far) by African writers and those on African transformative literature. These reviews highlight recurring themes of identity, political autonomy, and Pan-Africanism.

Analysis Disclaimer

The critiques and perspectives shared here reflect my personal interpretations and academic reflections on literary themes. They are intended to foster critical discourse and independent thought, and do not constitute professional legal or academic advice.

Kill Me Quick Pambazuka Op-Ed
Review Published on Pambazuka

Kill Me Quick

By Meja Mwangi
★★★★★5/5 — A governments failure is a threat to its youth.

Where even death evades the poor and classless. A book well written, relatable in a Kenyan context. Meja Mwangi shows necropolitics at play in the lives of two jobless Kenyan youths, who are failed by the state and its institutions. Its a must read. This book influenced my op-ed piece at Pambazuka News, where I compared Kenya's hired goons to the neglected learned, poor class in society. The state creates the goon through neglect of the educated youth.

Heart of Darkness Pambazuka Op-Ed
Review Published on Pambazuka

Heart of Darkness

By Joseph Conrad
★★★★★2/5 — A racist depiction of Africans

A classic racist book written in 1889. This book has been read far and wide as a school text and Chinua Achebe's critique of it brought me to it. In the book, the author, Joseph Conrad, paints Africa and its people as barbaric and backward. He shows a cannibalistic society that needs saving from itself. Achebe termed it as a work that lacks good art, not only one that dehumanises Africans...

Writers in Politics
Review

Writers in Politics

By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
★★★★★5/5 — A decolonizing the mind kind of book

A powerful book which allows Ngugi wa Thiong'o to share his views on the role of literature and writing in the post colonial context. It echoes Steve Biko's sentiments on Black Consciousness, though Ngugi tries as much as possible to communicate to the Kenyan populace...

The Trial of Dedan Kimathi Pambazuka Op-Ed
Review Published on Pambazuka

The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o & Micere Githae Mugo
★★★★★5/5 — A Powerful Political Play

This book is the genesis of police brutality in Kenya. It's a verdict before the trial analysis, a man condemned without a fair hearing. Though a fictional play, it shows how the rule of law is often ignored for those that have "no place in society"...

Necropolitics Pambazuka Op-Ed
Review Published on Pambazuka

Necropolitics

By Achille Mbembe
★★★★☆4/5 — Necessary, political philosophy.

Mbembe dissects the modern sovereign's power to determine who lives and who gets to die. He argues that the states create conditions to segregate and subjugate people. It's a Must read for those interested in the intersection of politics, philosophy and post-colonial theory...

The Faustian Pact Hosted in Africa
Review Published on Hosted in Africa

The Faustian Pact of International Law

By Edwin Bikundo
★★★★☆4/5 — Reading of Agamben's Faust is important to understand the book

A concise presentation of political philosophy that compares international law to the devils pact of Faust. Bikundo uses Agamben's concept of the state of exception to argue that international law is a tool of power and oppression...

The Green Book Law Unmuted
Review Published on Law Unmuted

The Green Book

By Muammar Gaddafi
★★★★☆4/5 — Thought-Provoking

Gaddafi's proposal of a united Africa was not one to lack a foundation. A concise presentation of political philosophy that rejects both modern liberal democracy and capitalism...

I Write What I Like Law Unmuted
Review Published on Law Unmuted

I Write What I Like

By Steve Biko
★★★★★5/5 — Must-Read

A seminal collection of writings by the leader of the Black Consciousness Movement. Biko's powerful essays focus on self-empowerment...

Africa Must Unite Pambazuka Op-Ed
Review Published on Pambazuka

Africa Must Unite

By Kwame Nkrumah
★★★★★5/5 — Visionary

A passionate and visionary call for Pan-Africanism. Nkrumah argues convincingly that the only path to true independence...

Things Fall Apart
Review

Things Fall Apart

By Chinua Achebe
★★★★★5/5 — Masterpiece

A towering work of African literature that chronicles the life of Okonkwo and the Igbo community in Nigeria on the eve of British colonialism...

Decolonizing the Mind
Review

Decolonizing the Mind

By Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
★★★★★5/5 — Essential

A profound exploration of language and its constructive role in national culture, history, and identity. Ngũgĩ argues passionately for African writers...

© 2026 Carolyn Gatonye