Ake: The Years of Childhood

“Ake” is Wole Soyinka’s evocative and captivating memoir of his childhood years (1934–1945), a period that mirrors significant historical events both in Nigeria and globally, including World War II and the renowned Women’s Uprising in Egbaland, in which Soyinka himself played a key role as a courier.

Written with the insight of hindsight, Soyinka’s narrative blends rich storytelling with wit and bold humor. Through vivid and touching depictions of the sights, sounds, and smells of his childhood world, Soyinka offers a lyrical and delightful glimpse into the experiences that shaped his early life.

The memoir offers invaluable vignettes of key individuals and events that contributed to the formation of Soyinka as not only a writer but also a political activist and Nobel Laureate. It’s a compelling exploration of the experiences that shaped his views, infused with a child’s-eye perspective on a world at the cusp of change.