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Ousmane Sembène

God's Bits of Wood

"God's Bits of Wood" by Ousmane Sembène is a powerful and poignant novel that explores the lives of workers on the Dakar-Niger railway in French West Africa during a historic 1947-48 strike. The story is told through the perspectives of a diverse cast of characters, including a young girl, a devout Muslim, a trade union organizer, and a striking worker's wife. Sembène masterfully weaves together the personal and political, using the strike as a backdrop to examine the complexities of colonialism, religion, gender, and class. The novel highlights the sacrifices and struggles of the workers as they fight for better wages and working conditions, while also exploring the tensions and alliances that form between the different communities and factions involved. One of the novel's most striking features is its vivid and evocative portrayal of the harsh realities of life in colonial Africa. Sembène pulls no punches in his depiction of the brutal working conditions, the racism and discrimination faced by the workers, and the devastating impact of the strike on the local population. At the same time, the novel is also a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. Through the characters' struggles and triumphs, Sembène shows how even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, people can come together to fight for a better future. "God's Bits of Wood" is a significant work of African literature that offers a powerful critique of colonialism and a nuanced portrayal of the lives of ordinary people. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and culture of Africa, as well as anyone looking for a compelling and thought-provoking novel...