A Wreath for Udomo

A Wreath for Udomo is a 1956 novel by South African novelist Peter Abrahams. The novel follows a London-educated black African, Michael Udomo, who returns to Africa to become a revolutionary leader in the fictional country of Panafrica and is eventually martyred.[1] The novel explores a revolutionary politics, exploring the diversity of actors and political communities needed to overcome colonial oppression.[1]

First US edition (publ. Knopf)

The novel was controversial at the time of its publication, because it represented revolutionary independence from a tropical African country, before the first such independence by the Gold Coast.[1] Critic Bernth Lindfors described the character of Udomo as being modeled off real revolutionary leaders in Africa, including Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta and Nnamdi Azikiwe.[1]

Critical reception

Kirkus Reviews generally received the novel well, describing it as "a powerful story [...] it has its moments of tenderness in first one, then another love story".[2] But Kirkus also expresses discomfort with the novel, noting that is "disturbing, violent" and "wont be an easy book to place, for the moral code, the sexual code is remote from our understanding."[2]

When in 1957 the Wilson Library Bulletin called the novel Abraham's "most effective contribution so far to world understanding of the racial problems of Africa."[3]

Stage play

A Wreath for Udomo was also the title of a stage play based on Abrahams' novel by New York playwright William Branch.[4][5] The play was a success when first produced in the US in 1960,[6][7] and subsequently in London in 1961 (featuring Earl Cameron and Edric Connor).[8][9]

References
  1. Lindfors, Bernth (1986). "Exile and Aesthetic Distance: Geographical Influences on Political Commitment in the Works of Peter Abrahams". The International Fiction Review. 13 (2).
  2. "A Wreath for Udomo by Peter Abrahams". Kirkus Reviews. May 21, 1956.
  3. "Bio Sketch: Peter Henry Abrahams". Wilson Library Bulletin. September 1957 – via ChickenBones: A Journal for Literary & Artistic African-American Themes.
  4. Nesmith, N. Graham, "William Branch: (a conversation) reminiscence", African American Review, 22 September 2004. The Free Library. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  5. William Blackwell Branch, "A Wreath for Udomo: A New Play Based Upon the Novel by Peter Abrahams", 1961.
  6. "William Branch Play A Hit in Cleveland", Jet, 31 March 1960, p. 60.
  7. "Colonialism Theme Of New Btoadway Play", Jet, 2 March 1961, p. 59.
  8. "William Branch play Set For London Production", Jet, 14 September 1961, p. 59.
  9. "Off-Broadway, Regional & International", Tony Walton.

Further reading


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