40 pages 1 hour read

Wole Soyinka

Death and the King's Horseman

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1975

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka is widely praised for its powerful exploration of cultural clash and duty, with its rich language and poetic dialogue standing out. Critics also commend its deep engagement with Yoruba traditions. However, some find the play's complex themes and historical context potentially challenging for casual readers. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and impactful work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Death and the King's Horseman?

Readers who appreciate complex cultural narratives, postcolonial literature, and the exploration of ritual versus modernity will enjoy Death and the King's Horseman by Wole Soyinka. Fans of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart or Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's A Grain of Wheat will find it particularly engaging.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre
Play: Tragedy
Play: Drama
African Literature
Period
Colonialism / Postcolonialism
WWII / World War II
Themes
Society: Colonialism
Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Values/Ideas: Win & Lose