After strugg. Mission to Kalais unusual for a novel concerned with the impact of colonialism on Africans: not a single European appears as a major character. Interessant allerede i kraft af sin status som vestafrikansk klassiker. Refresh and try again. This is a very thought provoking book about Cameroon and Catholic missionaries there and their flocks or potential flocks in the 1930s. By seeing how satire is used in a variety of mediums, we’ll be better prepared to apply it in our own projects. A story of one choir-boy's coming of age in a mission in Cameroon in the thirties of the past century (of course the book, being French, includes the scene of his deflowering by an older woman), and also a story of terrifying abuse involving women who work at the mission. Nevertheless, the novel is deeply concerned with the colonial presenc… I read the book in French. We’d love your help. The narrator speaks with a refreshing and poignant naive honesty. From a literary standpoint, this is unimpressive. The young altar boy is a devout Christian, however his beliefs are challenged by the hypocrisy of the colonial church. Jeg skulle mere end 100 sider ind i romanen, før jeg syntes, at den kom rigtigt i gang. The narrator being a largely passive character in this book, the main character in practice is Father Drumont. Nevertheless, the priest remains an extension of colonial power and metes out vicious beatings "to get the truth" from young women his mission is supposedly nourishing and protecting. Beti seems to be saying that this "good man" is still a part of the colonial apparatus and quite naturally uses his prerogatives as a wielder of harsh authority, which most natives simply do not dare to challenge. A powerful portrayal of colonial influence in Cameroon and throughout Africa by Christian missionaries. It shows the problems of colonialism in the Africa and the corruptness of the Catholic church. Similarly , he asserts Is he kind and charitable, or does he harangue the Christians for church dues and beat women to get th. I liked this book. We are led to see the result of Father Drumont's misguided policies, though well-intentioned they may have been. Mongo Beti was born in 1932 in Cameroun and received his college education in France, where he ultimately settled. I'm willing to give "Mission to Kala", Beti's most well-known novel a chance, even though I wasn't particularly moved by this one. This book is both funny and thought-provoking. The book is written from the viewpoint of a teenage boy, Denis, as he travels with the top ranking Catholic leader throughout the countryside surrounding Bomba. And the truth he extracts is devastating: a brothel has been operating out of his mission for years with the collaboration of his most "faithful" aids. "We loved him so little...As if he were not one of us..for he was not one of us...", Neutral reaction to this novel, neither engrossing nor without appeal. discussed in biography. Ship This Item — Temporarily Out of Stock Online. 39 temples to enter Phase 2-B and 7 temples to enter Phase 3 Newsroom of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Editor's note: In April, 39 temples will begin Phase 2-B of reopening and seven temples will move to Phase 3. À travers la voix d'un jeune boy de la mission catholique de Bomba au Caméroun le lecteur découvre la misère morale provoquée par la christianisation et les doutes du prête protagoniste, qui se rend compte de l'artificialité de son travail parmi une culture complètement différente à la sienne. The priest running the mission, and our young protagonist's platonic and parental crush, has to face polygamists, a sorcerer, jealous wives and husbands, a colonial administrator addicted to alcohol, chieftains, new capitalists ("We thought your religion was going to give us your power; now we know it's the money that gives power"). Du grand Mongo Beti. Another satire forged from the experience of mass ranks of men hacking each other to death, Hasek’s opus dates from the world war preceding Heller’s. The white missionary totally misunderstands the African culture with tragic results. of Florida): Jeg skulle mere end 100 sider ind i romanen, før jeg syntes, at den kom rigtigt i gang (og det er immervæk langt inde i en roman på i alt kun 219 sider). The content is great, the form somewhat lacking. He uses wit, satire, irony, and parodies to bring forth some revelations about this subject matter of colonialism. Drumont, and his cook, Zacharia. King - Lazarus r.idicules the traditional chieftaincy institution, albeit satirising the superimposition of christianity … Please enable Cookies and reload the page. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. This disturbing novel is a must read for all who wish to come to terms with colonialism and the peculiar role of the Church in the projection of "White" power. It was, however, in 1956 that he gained a widespread reputation; the publication of the novel Le pauvre Christ de Bomba ("The poor Christ of Bomba") created a scandal because of its satirical and biting description of the missionary and colonial world. The gift of satire is that it can convict and correct us—sometimes gently, and sometimes with more bite—by showing our flaws reflected back to us from the comedian’s mirror. An incredible handling of dialogue and styles; the doctor's report at the end destroyed me. 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