In 1968, the literature section of the French newspaper Le Monde enthusiastically lauded a bold new novel, Bound to Violence, and hailed its author as one of the few intellectuals of global recognition emerging from Black Africa.
Today, the newspaper’s words in honor of the youthful Malian author Yambo Ouologuem may come across as patronizing. However, at the time, the intended praise was sincere and numerous European critics also acknowledged it. The release of Ouologuem’s unusual novel was truly a significant introduction of a promising new voice.
However, the world of literature can be unforgiving, especially for a young African writer residing in Paris who was trying to put a unique spin on traditional storytelling.
Other African writers were taken aback by Ouologuem’s biting satire of his own culture. Shortly after, allegations of plagiarism surfaced, leading to a public dispute with Graham Greene that ultimately marked the end of Ouologuem’s writing career. He secluded himself and eventually passed away in 2017 without publishing any further works.
50 years later, Penguin Classics will release a new English version of Bound to Violence in an effort to redeem the talented writer and introduce him to a new audience.
“I was incredibly excited upon reading this book,” exclaimed Ka Bradley, editor at Penguin. “It delves into the history of a fictional African empire known as Nakem, covering centuries in just a few paragraphs. It’s truly mind-boggling.”
After its initial release in French as Le Devoir du Violence, Ouologuem’s satire received critical acclaim and was awarded the prestigious Prix Renaudot. This sparked global interest in the work, leading to its translation and publication in Britain, West Germany, Italy, and the US.
The issues started when an anonymous piece in the Times Literary Supplement brought to Greene’s attention some similarities between his 1934 novel, It’s a Battlefield, and the book Bound to Violence. One particular passage in Bound to Violence depicted a brief love scene taking place in the home of an English Communist, which also appears in Greene’s story. The dialogue and setting, with a pink bedroom door and silk bedspreads reminiscent of rose petals, were quite similar, especially in the 1971 English translation by Ralph Manheim. Additionally, there were other resemblances to sections of André Schwarz-Bart’s novel The Last of the Just, including the opening sentences of both books.
Greene expressed his dissatisfaction to the French publisher of the book, Editions de Seuil, which then requested Ouologuem to revise some pages. In contrast, Schwarz-Bart was unperturbed and even found the inclusion of quotes from his book to be exciting, according to Bradley. However, Ouologuem did not follow through with the publisher’s request for alterations.
Bradley believes that the book’s use of satire and sarcasm evoked intense emotions in readers. The book did not hold back in its criticism of anyone, which may have been off-putting for some. The humorous, yet aggressive tone of the book may have caused a negative reaction. The book also incorporated elements from various sources such as the Bible, Qur’an, and African oral traditions, making it a modern piece of literature. However, Graham Greene was the only person who openly disapproved of the book.
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Bradley believes that Ouologuem’s age and ethnic background were used against him: “At 28 years old, winning the prize, there was a sense that some Europeans were questioning how a young black man could have produced this work. Some were more forgiving and thought that Ouologuem may not have been aware of the taboo of plagiarism, but I think it was intentional. He was writing as a response to the dominance of Western literature.”
Bradley compares Ouologuem’s writing style to that of Kurt Vonnegut, noting the ambitious and fantastical nature of his work. In the latter part of the book, the narrative shifts to focus on specific individuals, including the protagonist Raymond Spartacus Kassoumi, creating a sense of collage.
Penguin has chosen to re-release the book after an American version was recently released by Other Press. This decision comes after the success of another published novel, based on the downfall of Ouologuem’s reputation. The French book, “The Most Secret Memory of Men” by Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, which won the Prix Goncourt in 2021, parallels Ouologuem’s experience, showcasing an African writer in Paris who is affected by misinterpretations of his work and accusations of copying.
The reissued version of Bound to Violence by Penguin Classics, released in March in Britain, includes a new introduction by Malian scholar Chérif Keïta that provides a broader perspective on the novel. The original translation by Manheim has been kept intact, with minor updates to outdated language. According to Bradley, there are unsettling parts in the book, but that is expected when reading literature. He also acknowledges that his political beliefs may not align with those portrayed in the novel, but still recognizes it as a significant artistic achievement.
Source: theguardian.com
