Book Review: The Dark Child by Camara Laye

Laye takes us to Upper Guinea, Africa in his narrative story about growing up and dealing with the challenges that come with it. In his first few chapters, he explains the superstition surrounding the snake and his father’s reputation within the community as one of the best blacksmiths, as well as an honest man who was chosen by the black snake. Towards the end, they have a discussion about Layes future plans for his life. This sparks a long inner conflict that lasts the length of the novel; should he choose higher education which could have him leave the family? Or should he choose a manual profession like his father? In the second chapter, his father is called upon to craft a piece of jewellery and while doing so a “go-between” sings praises of his work and a large group is drawn to watch him preform his task. This leaves Laye feeling conflicted again about his choices for his life. In the third chapter, Laye plays with the idea of becoming an adventurer like his uncle whom he rarely sees. This brings up the conversation he had with his father again about leaving his family to search for higher knowledge. He speaks of how the other children would stare at him a bit longer when they changed because they were envious of his sleek school uniform. But he felt envious of them, because they were stronger than him and it wasn’t as hard for them to move around as it was for him. He had to be careful not to ruin his uniform, while they did not. The superstition of his tribe is brought to a higher light in the fourth chapter with the harvesting of the crops during the rice season. He speaks romantically of the winter season and her workers, as well as when they consult the genii of the soil. They must do this because it is he who protects the workers and alters the productivity of the next day’s work. Laye speaks of possibly becoming a country man in this chapter. The fifth chapter could be dedicated to his mother. He speaks of how boys are weaned off their mothers, and