Sunday Feature

3 July 2005

Sunday 3 July 2005 21:30-22:15 (Radio 3)

As part of the Africa Lives on the BBC season, poet and playwright, Gabriel Gbadamosi investigates the role of the book in Sub-Saharan Africa. Talking to writers, publishers and readers he traces the history of book production and consumption from the 19th century to present day - from vanity publishing in dingy backrooms, to short stories in cyber-space, and the prize-winning literature of Soyinka, Ngugi Wa Thiongo and Ben Okri on sale internationally.

He talks to Cyprian Ekwensi, who at 84 is one of Africa's oldest living writers, and examines a new generation of young writers, like 28 year old Chimamanda Adichie, author of Purple Hibscus, who are reaching new readers, both within and outside Africa.

Set against this is the hard economic and social reality of a continent where poverty, insecurity and escapism mean good fiction often come second to motivational books, Christian tracts, romances and thrillers.

Duration:

45 minutes

Sunday Feature

Episode and Playlist Information

• 7 August 2005
• 31 July 2005
• 24 July 2005
• 22 July 2005
• 17 July 2005
• 10 July 2005
• 3 July 2005
• 26 June 2005
• 19 June 2005
• 12 June 2005

Sunday Feature pages