The Burden of Memory, the Muse of Forgiveness
Published on 27. January 2000
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-19-513428-5 (ISBN)
Description
When Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka's The Open Sore of a Continent appeared in 1996, it received rave reviews in the national media. Now comes Soyinka's powerful sequel to that fearless and passionate book, The Burden of Memory.
Where Open Sore offered a critique of African nationhood and a searing indictment of the Nigerian military and its repression of human and civil rights, The Burden of Memory considers all of Africa--indeed, all the world--as it poses the next logical question: Once repression stops, is reconciliation between oppressor and victim possible? In the face of centuries long devastations wrought on the African continent and her Diaspora by slavery, colonialism, Apartheid and the manifold faces of racism what form of recompense could possibly be adequate? In a voice as eloquent and humane as it is forceful, Soyinka examines this fundamental question as he illuminates the principle duty and "near intolerable burden" of memory to bear the record of injustice. In so doing, he challenges notions of simple forgiveness, of confession and absolution, as strategies for social healing. Ultimately, he turns to art--poetry, music, painting--as one source that may nourish the seed of reconciliation, art as the generous vessel that can hold together the burden of memory and the hope of forgiveness.
Based on Soyinka's Stewart-McMillan lectures delivered at the Du Bois Institute at Harvard, The Burden of Memory speaks not only to those concerned specifically with African politics, but also to anyone seeking the path to social justice through some of history's most inhospitable terrain.
Where Open Sore offered a critique of African nationhood and a searing indictment of the Nigerian military and its repression of human and civil rights, The Burden of Memory considers all of Africa--indeed, all the world--as it poses the next logical question: Once repression stops, is reconciliation between oppressor and victim possible? In the face of centuries long devastations wrought on the African continent and her Diaspora by slavery, colonialism, Apartheid and the manifold faces of racism what form of recompense could possibly be adequate? In a voice as eloquent and humane as it is forceful, Soyinka examines this fundamental question as he illuminates the principle duty and "near intolerable burden" of memory to bear the record of injustice. In so doing, he challenges notions of simple forgiveness, of confession and absolution, as strategies for social healing. Ultimately, he turns to art--poetry, music, painting--as one source that may nourish the seed of reconciliation, art as the generous vessel that can hold together the burden of memory and the hope of forgiveness.
Based on Soyinka's Stewart-McMillan lectures delivered at the Du Bois Institute at Harvard, The Burden of Memory speaks not only to those concerned specifically with African politics, but also to anyone seeking the path to social justice through some of history's most inhospitable terrain.
Reviews / Votes
"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
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
275 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-513428-5 (9780195134285)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Person
Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. He is Woodruff Professor of the Arts at Emory University, in Atlanta, and a Fellow of the W.E.B. DuBois Institute at Harvard.