In 1968 the books pages of the French newspaper Le Monde excitedly praised an uncompromising new novel, Bound to Violence, going on to salute its author as one of “the rare intellectuals of international stature presented to the world by Black Africa”.
The newspaper’s praise for Yambo Ouologuem, a young writer from Mali, is now perceived as patronizing. However, at the time, it was meant as a sincere compliment and was agreed upon by numerous European critics. The release of Ouologuem’s unique novel was seen as the debut of a significant new talent.
However, the realm of literature can be harsh, especially for a young African writer residing in Paris who was striving to put a unique spin on traditional storytelling.
Other African authors were taken aback by Ouologuem’s biting satire of his own culture. Shortly after, allegations of plagiarism arose, leading to a public dispute with Graham Greene that ultimately marked the end of Ouologuem’s brief career. He withdrew from the literary world and lived as a recluse until his death in 2017, never publishing again.
50 years later, Penguin Classics plans to publish a new English version of Bound to Violence in an effort to redeem the talented writer and introduce him to a new audience.
Ka Bradley, editor at Penguin, expressed her excitement upon reading this book. The book delves into the history of a fictional African empire called Nakem and manages to cover centuries in just a few paragraphs. It was a truly dizzying experience.
When Ouologuem’s satirical work, originally titled “Le Devoir du Violence,” was released in French, it received the highly-regarded Prix Renaudot prize and sparked global attention. Its translation rights were quickly acquired in countries such as Britain, West Germany, Italy, and the US.
The issues arose when an unknown piece in the Times Literary Supplement brought to Greene’s attention some resemblances to his own book from 1934, It’s a Battlefield. One particular passage in Bound to Violence depicted a brief love scene taking place inside an English Communist’s home, which also appeared in Greene’s story. The dialogue and setting, including a pink bedroom door and silk bedspreads resembling rose petals, were notably similar, especially in the 1971 translation by Ralph Manheim. Additionally, there were noticeable similarities to sections of André Schwarz-Bart’s novel The Last of the Just, including the opening sentences of both books.
After Greene expressed dissatisfaction to Editions de Seuil, the French publisher of the book, they requested that Ouologuem make revisions to specific pages. In contrast, Schwarz-Bart was not as bothered and even found the inclusion of quotes from his book to be exciting, according to Bradley. However, Ouologuem did not adhere to his publisher’s request for alterations.
Bradley commented that the book’s use of satirical and sarcastic language evoked strong emotions in readers. This approach spared no one, which some people found off-putting. The book’s pugnacious humor was often alarming and created a negative response. Additionally, the book incorporated elements from various sources such as the Bible, Qur’an, and African oral traditions, making it a modernist text. However, Graham Greene was the only person who openly objected to the book.
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Bradley believes that Ouologuem’s age and background were used against him: “He was only 28 when he received the prize, and some Europeans questioned how a young Black man could have produced such a work. Others thought that Ouologuem may not have known that plagiarism is not acceptable, but I believe it was intentional. He was challenging the dominance of Western literature.”
Bradley compares Ouologuem’s writing style to that of Kurt Vonnegut, noting the ambitious and imaginative nature of their fictional worlds. In the later parts of the book, the narrative shifts to focus on a specific set of characters, particularly the protagonist Raymond Spartacus Kassoumi who was educated in Paris, giving a sense of collage.
Penguin’s choice to reissue the book comes after an American version was released by Other Press. This decision was also influenced by the success of their publication of a highly praised novel inspired by Ouologuem’s tarnished reputation. Mohamed Mbougar Sarr’s The Most Secret Memory of Men, a French novel that won the Prix Goncourt in 2021, reflects Ouologuem’s experience as an African writer in Paris who faced harm from misinterpretations and accusations of plagiarism.
The re-release of Bound to Violence by Penguin Classics was published in Britain in March. It includes a new introduction by Malian scholar Chérif Keïta, providing a broader perspective on the novel. The original translation by Manheim has been retained with minor updates to outdated language. Bradley, when asked about the book, stated, “There are parts that are quite unsettling, but you don’t read a book without being stirred at times. I don’t anticipate all my political beliefs to be mirrored, but it remains a significant artistic accomplishment.”
Source: theguardian.com
