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Unlike Bessie Head 's A Question of Power , this book does not contain enough aphorisms that could be quoted. Or perhaps I failed to see them. Whatever be the case I would serve you with the few that I found interesting. Life, he says, is like the chameleon, changing colour all the time. Page 36 The elephant does not rot in a secret place Sophie, Page 41 Ah, these whites, she burst out. The dog can die of hunger beside his master's meat. They don't bury the goat up to the horns. They bury him altogether. Sophie, Page 44 They lamented 'the Martyr' as they called Father Gilbert because he died on African soil. Page 53 The river does not go back to its spring. Page 56 Truth lies beyond the mountains. You must travel to find it. Page 57 If I talk it is because I have a mouth. If I see, it is because I have eyes. The eye goes farther and faster than the mouth, nothing stops it... Page 60 Since when does the pot rub itself against the hammer? Page 62 Is the white...

Title: Houseboy Author: Ferdinand Oyono Translator: John Reed Genre: Novella/Anti-Colonialist Publishers: Heinemann (African Writers Series) Pages: 122 Year of Publication: 1956 (in French), 1966 (in English) Country: Cameroon For the Africa Reading Challenge This is a story by a Houseboy written in the first person and in the form of diary entries in two exercise books. It describes the relationship between French colonialists and native Cameroonians during the period of colonisation from a Houseboy's perspectives. The Houseboy, Toundi, escaped from Cameroon where he was wanted for an alleged crime - a crime he did not commit but has been framed up for his part of spreading the amorous and sexual encounters between his master's - the local Commandant - wife and the giant Prison Officer, M. Moreau. As a Houseboy, Toundi, saw a lot in the house of his master especially when his master's wife came to the household. And as innocent as he was couldn...