The River Between (1965) by Ngugi wa Thiong’o is a novel set in rural Kenya, focusing on the conflict between traditional Gikuyu culture and the arrival of European colonialism and Christianity. The story follows Waiyaki, the son of a respected elder, who is believed to be a prophetic savior of the Gikuyu people. Educated in a European mission school, Waiyaki struggles to balance his cultural heritage with the promise of salvation through education. His journey is complicated by political and social divisions, including a forbidden love affair with Nyambura, the Christian daughter of a Gikuyu convert. The novel explores themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and the clash between tradition and modernity. It is lauded for its portrayal of precolonial Gikuyu life and the impact of Christianity on local beliefs and practices.
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