God’s Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembène details the Senegalese railway workers' strike of 1947 against French colonial oppression, focusing on their fight for family allowances and pension benefits. Set in Senegal and Mali, the multidimensional narrative examines the lives of the strikers and their families, emphasizing the evolving roles of women and culminating in a significant march from Thiès to Dakar. Themes of racism and poverty are prevalent.

God's Bits Of Wood by Ousmane Sembène has been praised for its powerful depiction of the 1947-48 Senegalese railway strike. Critics commend its rich character development and vivid portrayal of African life, while some find its pacing uneven and narrative style demanding. Overall, it is hailed as an insightful historical and social commentary.

Readers who appreciate God's Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembène typically enjoy historical fiction that explores social justice, colonialism, and collective struggle. Fans of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck will find a similar resonance in Sembène's portrayal of resistance and community resilience.

Challenging / Inspirational / Emotional / Gritty / Hopeful

- God’s Bits of Wood was first published in French in 1960 as Les Bouts de Bois de Dieu, and it is considered a classic of African literature, highlighting the cultural and political shifts in post-colonial Africa.
- The novel is based on the historical 1947-48 Dakar-Niger railway strike, one of the longest and most significant labor strikes in African history, which unites men and women in a fight against colonial oppression.
- Ousmane Sembène, the author, is also renowned as one of Africa's pioneering filmmakers, having been called the "father of African cinema," enhancing his storytelling through both literary and film mediums.

**Bakayoko**  
The primary instigator of the railway strike, Bakayoko is a charismatic and intellectually inclined leader who pushes others to expand their understanding of global conflicts.

**Niakoro**  
An elderly woman and Bakayoko's mother, Niakoro serves as a link to traditional cultural practices and is a voice of institutional memory within her family compound.

**Fa Keita (Mamadou Keita)**  
A highly spiritual elder residing with Niakoro, Fa Keita is akin to a philosophical guide, advocating for moral integrity during a crucial union trial.

**Doudou**  
A union leader who works alongside Bakayoko, Doudou often finds negotiation easier without Bakayoko's impulsive presence.

**Ramatoulaye**  
The matriarch of the family compound in Dakar, Ramatoulaye tenaciously strives to secure food and resources for her extended family.

**N’Deye Touti**  
A young African woman grappling with cultural and philosophical conflicts, particularly in relation to education and tradition; she is also infatuated with Bakayoko.

**Houdia M’Baye**  
A widow and mother of nine children living in the N'Diayene compound, whose life is marked by tragedy during a demonstration.

**Mame Sofi**  
A resolute woman in the N'Diayene compound, known for organizing protests and fostering unity among the wives.

**Maimouna**  
A young, blind mother with a philosophical disposition, Maimouna becomes closely associated with the N'Diayene compound after a personal tragedy.

**Penda**  
An independent and initially self-centered woman who finds purpose and transformation through her involvement with the strike committee.

**Diara**  
A railway ticket collector caught between his actions as a strikebreaker and his involvement with the union, leading to inner conflict.

**Monsieur Isnard**  
A railway supervisor whose ingrained racist attitudes and subsequent actions exacerbate tensions during the strike.

**Madame Beatrice Isnard**  
The self-involved wife of Monsieur Isnard, who struggles with the shift in social order and holds disdain for the local population.

**Pierrot**  
A young, idealistic arrival to Africa eager to learn about the local culture and make meaningful connections.

**Leblanc**  
A disenchanted railway supervisor who turns out to be secretly supportive of the strike through anonymous contributions.

**Magette and Gorgui**  
Two railway apprentices who transition from idleness during the strike to active involvement as young revolutionaries.

**Beaugosse**  
A conventional character entangled in romantic competition over N'Deye and whose actions suggest an alignment with French interests.

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