"Afterlives" by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah
Call Number: FICTION Gurnah
From the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Literature, a sweeping, multi-generational saga of displacement, loss, and love, set against the brutal colonization of east Africa. When he was just a boy, Ilyas was stolen from his parents on the coast of east Africa by German colonial troops. After years away, fighting against his own people, he returns home to find his parents gone and his sister, Afiya, abandoned into de facto slavery. Hamza too, is back from the war. He was not stolen but sold into service, where he became the protégé of an officer whose special interest has left him literally scarred for life. With nothing but the clothes on his back, he seeks only steady work and safety - until he meets the beautiful, undaunted Afiya. As these young people live and work and fall in love, their fates knotted ever more tightly together, the shadow of a new war on another continent falls over them, ready to snatch them up and once again carry them away. Spanning from the end of the nineteenth century, when the Europeans carved up Africa, on through the tumultuous decades of revolt and suppression that followed, AFTERLIVES is an astonishingly moving portrait of survivors refusing to sacrifice their humanity to the violent forces that assail them.

Colonial Legacy:
- How does the novel depict the lasting effects of colonialism on the characters and their communities? In what ways do the legacies of colonial rule shape the characters' lives?
Identity and Belonging:
- Explore the theme of identity and belonging in the novel. How do the characters grapple with questions of identity, especially in the context of cultural, ethnic, and colonial divisions?
Historical Context:
- How does the novel incorporate historical events, such as the German colonial presence in East Africa? In what ways do these historical elements contribute to the overall narrative?
Individual vs. Collective Memory:
- Discuss the importance of individual and collective memory in the novel. How do characters remember and interpret the past, and how does this impact their present lives?
Character Relationships:
- Analyze the relationships between characters in the novel. How do familial, romantic, and community ties play a role in shaping the characters' destinies?
Migration and Displacement:
- The novel addresses themes of migration and displacement. How do characters navigate the challenges of leaving or returning to their homeland, and what impact does migration have on their sense of self?
Narrative Structure:
- Consider the novel's narrative structure, which unfolds through different perspectives and timelines. How does this narrative choice enhance the storytelling and understanding of the characters?
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity:
- Discuss the cultural and linguistic diversity portrayed in the novel. How does Gurnah use language and cultural references to convey a sense of the characters' worlds?
Power Dynamics:
- Explore the power dynamics at play in the novel. How do colonial powers exert influence, and how do the characters respond to or resist these power structures?
Symbolism and Imagery:
- Examine the use of symbolism and imagery in "Afterlives." What recurring symbols or images contribute to the thematic depth of the novel?
Impact of Trauma:
- Trauma is a recurring theme in the novel. How do characters cope with past traumas, and in what ways does trauma shape their present experiences and relationships?
Personal Transformation:
- Consider the personal transformations that characters undergo in the novel. How do experiences and challenges lead to growth or changes in perspective?

The colonization of East Africa involved various European powers and occurred over a period of several decades. Here is a simplified timeline outlining key events in the colonization of East Africa:

1498: Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama reaches the coast of East Africa, marking the beginning of direct European contact with the region.
16th Century: Portuguese establish trading posts and forts along the East African coast.
17th Century: Omani Arabs exert influence along the coast, establishing control over certain territories.
19th Century:
- 1800s: European interest in East Africa increases due to the slave trade, ivory trade, and the search for navigable waterways.
- 1885: The Berlin Conference takes place, resulting in the partition of Africa among European powers. East Africa is divided into spheres of influence.
- 1888: Imperial British East Africa Company establishes control over present-day Kenya.
- 1889: Sultanate of Zanzibar grants concessions to Germany, leading to the establishment of German East Africa (present-day Tanzania).
1890: The Heligoland-Zanzibar Treaty between Britain and Germany defines colonial boundaries in East Africa.
1895: Italy establishes control over Eritrea.
1896: The British establish control over Uganda.
1902: Zanzibar becomes a British protectorate.
1919: After World War I, the League of Nations grants Britain mandates over Tanganyika (former German East Africa) and the former German East Africa territories.
1920s: Resistance movements against colonial rule emerge in various parts of East Africa.
1940s-1950s: Post-World War II period sees increased nationalist movements advocating for independence in East African colonies.
1950s: Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya against British rule.
1960-1963: Most East African colonies gain independence:
- 1960: Madagascar gains independence from France.
- 1961: Tanganyika (former German East Africa) gains independence from Britain.
- 1962: Burundi and Rwanda gain independence from Belgium.
- 1963: Kenya gains independence from Britain.
1964: Zanzibar gains independence from Britain, and later in the year, it merges with Tanganyika to form Tanzania.
1977: Mozambique gains independence from Portugal.
1993: Eritrea gains independence from Ethiopia.
2011: South Sudan gains independence from Sudan.

This timeline provides a broad overview of the colonization of East Africa, highlighting major events leading to the establishment of European control and subsequent struggles for independence. It's important to note that the history of colonization is complex, and there were various local, regional, and international factors influencing the process.

Birth and Early Life:
- Abdulrazak Gurnah was born on December 20, 1948, in Zanzibar, which was then a British protectorate.
Education:
- Gurnah pursued his education in Tanzania and later in the United Kingdom. He earned a Bachelor's degree in English from the University of Dar es Salaam and later completed a Master's degree in development studies at the University of Kent.
Academic Career:
- Abdulrazak Gurnah has had a significant academic career, teaching English and Postcolonial Literatures. He was associated with the University of Kent, where he worked for many years.
Literary Career:
- Gurnah is best known for his novels that critically examine the impact of colonialism, displacement, and cultural identity. His works often draw on his experiences and insights into the complexities of postcolonial Africa.
Notable Works:
- One of Gurnah's notable works is the novel "Paradise" (1994), which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. The novel explores the consequences of colonialism and migration in East Africa.
- Another significant work is "By the Sea" (2001), which delves into themes of love, betrayal, and historical upheavals in Zanzibar.
- "Afterlives" (2020) is another novel by Gurnah that explores the impact of German colonial rule in East Africa.
Recognition and Awards:
- Abdulrazak Gurnah's literary contributions have been recognized with awards and nominations. His works have gained acclaim for their depth, historical context, and exploration of complex human experiences.
Themes in His Works:
- Gurnah's novels often explore the complexities of postcolonial identity, displacement, and the historical legacies of colonial rule in East Africa. His storytelling is known for its nuanced portrayal of characters navigating the challenges of cultural and historical change.
Legacy:
- Abdulrazak Gurnah's writings contribute significantly to the body of postcolonial literature. His exploration of the consequences of colonialism and the intricacies of identity has earned him a place among influential contemporary African writers.

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Call Number: FICTION Gyasi
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Call Number: FICTION Hosein
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Call Number: FICTION Jones
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Call Number: FICTION Okri
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Call Number: FICTION Serpell
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Call Number: FICTION Ward
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Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Afterlives" by Abdulrazak Gurnah

"Afterlives" by Abdulrazak Gurnah

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