28 pages 56 minutes read

Ferdinand Oyono

Houseboy

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956

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Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Ferdinand Oyono's Houseboy provides a poignant critique of colonialism through the diary of Toundi, a young Cameroonian. Praised for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, the novel highlights the dehumanizing effects of colonial rule. Some readers find its structure disjointed, but its powerful message and cultural insight resonate deeply.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Houseboy?

A reader who would enjoy Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono is likely interested in postcolonial literature and African history. Comparable to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's The River Between, they appreciate complex narratives about colonialism, identity, and cultural conflict. Enthusiasts of poignant, reflective storytelling will find it compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Period
Heinemann African Writers
Genre
African Literature