Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o tells the story of the founding of the Gĩkũyũ people of Kenya, from a strongly feminist perspective. Translated by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o.

A verse narrative, blending folklore, mythology, adventure, and allegory, The Perfect Nine: The Epic of Gikuyu and Mumbi chronicles the efforts the Gĩkũyũ founders make to find partners for their famously beautiful daughters - The Perfect Nine - and the challenges they set for the 99 suitors who seek their hands in marriage. The epic has all the elements of adventure, with suspense, danger, humour and sacrifice.

Longlisted
The 2021 International Booker Prize
Published by
Harvill Secker, Vintage
Publication date

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Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o

About the Translator

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o's books include the novels Petals of Blood, for which he was imprisoned by the Kenyan government in 1977.
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