Novel
No Past, No Present, No Future
Yulisa Amadu Maddy · 1973
Synopsis
In the imaginary country of Bauya, modelled on Sierra Leone, three boys from different backgrounds become friends at the mission school: Joe Bengoh, an orphan from the poor districts, Ade John, the son of a post office employee, and Santigie, the son of a chief. A drama pushes them to leave the country, and they go to London to pursue their studies, one journalism, another economics, the third drama; Joe, attracted to men, faces there, like his friends, racism, money and disillusion.
Context
Heinemann published the book in 1973 as the hundred and thirty-seventh title in its African Writers series, in a hundred and eighty-five pages, and it was well received. It was its author's first novel; until then he had been known for his radio plays and his Freetown company. The college in the novel is inspired by St Edward's school in Freetown, where the author had studied, and Joe's homosexuality caused debate when the book appeared.
Who it is for
Fewer than two hundred pages, in English, with no French translation. It is worth knowing that the series in which the book appeared was then the main gateway for African authors to readers around the world.
Prizes and reception
The best-known title by its author, praised on its release, and read since for its portrayal of an African homosexual character.
Sources for this page 4
The pages consulted to check this page.