People of the City
People of the City is the debut novel of Cyprian Ekwensi first published in 1954 by Andrew Dakers Ltd. The novel was a predecessor to a number of other city novels in the Nigerian tradition.[1]
Development
Ekwensi began writing the novel while studying pharmacy on scholarship at the University of London.[2] The novel, originated as a series of stories broadcast on the radio, for West Africans living in Britain after World War II.[3]
Critic Chidi Okonkwo, says that the primary influences for Ekwenksi when developing the novel and his writing style, included "Westerns, detective thrillers, oriental tales like
Style
The novel has a
Themes
The novel challenges European colonial dominance in Africa.[3]
Literary criticism
Early reception of the novel was generally positive, focusing on the urban setting.[3]
References
- ISBN 978-978-8422-19-8.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-135-91826-2.