Cover of Fragments (African Writers Series)

Fragments (African Writers Series)

by Ayi Kwei Armah · 1971

+ Want to read

Fragments deals with the subject of materialism in contemporary Ghana. In it, the main character Baako is a "been to", meaning that he has been to the United States and received his education there. As a result of this privilege, he is expected to return to his family bearing the monetary gifts which this status yields in Ghana. These material goods are bought with graft and corruption, which impoverishes the country's infrastructure. The author contrasts the decadence and materialism of those who see Baako as a cash cow with the philosophy of his blind grandmother, Naana, whose concerns are not of this earth.

Setting
1970s1970sMore like thisLess of thisAfricaAfricaMore like thisLess of thisGhanaGhanaMore like thisLess of this
Audience
adult

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

BuyAmazonGoogle Books

BorrowOpen LibraryA library near you

MoreCompare pricesHardcover

Liked Fragments (African Writers Series)? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Fragments (African Writers Series). Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Search Sweet Country Kojo Laing · 1986 Shares Africa, Ghana, african
  2. AMA Manu Herbstein · 2000 Shares Africa, Ghana, african
  3. Tail of the Blue Bird Nii Ayikwei Parkes · 2009 Shares Africa, Ghana, african
  4. Changes: A Love Story Ama Ata Aidoo · 1991 Shares Africa, Ghana, african
See more recommendations →

“People who read Fragments (African Writers Series) tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Head Above Water Buchi Emecheta · 1986
  2. You Must Set Forth at Dawn Wole Soyinka · 2006
  3. The House of Hunger Dambudzo Marechera · 1978
  4. Harvest of Thorns Shimmer Chinodya · 1989

“If you want more of the same, start with these.”

  1. Ghana Must Go Taiye Selasi · 2013
  2. Cloth Girl Marilyn Heward Mills · 2006
  3. Maru Bessie Head · 1971
  4. In the Fog of the Seasons' End Alex La Guma · 1973

“If it was the Africa that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. No Sweetness Here and Other Stories Ama Ata Aidoo, Ketu H. Katrak · 1970
  2. Faceless Amma Darko · 1996
  3. Black Sunlight Dambudzo Marechera · 1980
  4. Beyond the Horizon Amma Darko · 1995

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Mind: A Brief Introduction John Rogers Searle · 2004
  2. Day By Day Delia Parr · 2007
  3. A Readers Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory Raman Selden, Peter Widdowson, Peter Brooker · 1985
  4. Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century: 32 Families Open Their Doors Jeanne E. Arnold, Anthony Graesch, Elinor Ochs, Enzo Ragazzini · 2012

Report a problem