The Quiet Chameleon: Modern Poetry from Central Africa (New Perspectives on African Literature, Vol 2)

"...REWARDING READING [FOR] THE ACUITY OF ITS CRITICAL PERCEPTIONS & ITS ELEGANCE IN DICTION & STYLE."-WORLD LITERATURE TODAY. The first extended analysis of the poets & poetry of the Malawi region, QUIET CHAMELEON begins by tracing the development of verse in the area--both written & oral--& places it within a larger framework of African literature, politics & culture, from Zambia to Zimbabwe. Separate discussions devoted to the lives & workd of Jack Mapanje, Steve Chim-ombo, Felix Mnthali, Frank Chipasula & Edison Mpina, reveal a striking range of personal & literary styles. Close scrutiny of key texts identifies the distinctive themes, motifs & strategies of each writer's oeuvre. The textual analysis is complimented by descriptions of the men themselves, their careers to date & their critical reception--reflecting the varied influences of personal & political experience on literary development. (NEW PERSPECTIVES ON AFRICAN LITERATURE, 2)Roscoe, Adrian is the author of 'The Quiet Chameleon: Modern Poetry from Central Africa (New Perspectives on African Literature, Vol 2)' with ISBN 9780905450520 and ISBN 0905450523.