28 pages • 56 minutes read
Ferdinand OyonoHouseboy
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1956A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Ferdinand Oyono's Houseboy provides a poignant critique of colonialism through the diary of Toundi, a young Cameroonian. Praised for its vivid imagery and emotional depth, the novel highlights the dehumanizing effects of colonial rule. Some readers find its structure disjointed, but its powerful message and cultural insight resonate deeply.
Who Should Read Houseboy?
A reader who would enjoy Houseboy by Ferdinand Oyono is likely interested in postcolonial literature and African history. Comparable to Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's The River Between, they appreciate complex narratives about colonialism, identity, and cultural conflict. Enthusiasts of poignant, reflective storytelling will find it compelling.
Recommended