Southern African literatures /

This deeply impressive book represents an ideal marriage of love and scholarship. During the 30 years Chapman (Univ. of Natal) has been studying the political history and literatures of southern Africa, he has acquired an unequaled body of knowledge. This study is marked by temperate judgment and respect for all cultures. More the social-political historian than the literary critic, the author is ideally suited to his undertaking, one in which the colonial past has constantly to be reinterpreted. Despite the vast scope of the book--literatures in a number of African languages as well as in English, Afrikaans, and Portuguese are analyzed--the scholarship is consistently thorough. The 30-page chronological table of literature and historical-cultural events in southern Africa provides invaluable background for Chapman's analyses. A general bibliography focuses on southern African languages and literatures, and another cites biographies and chief works of individual authors. An indispensable volume recommended for all academic collections. J. B. Beston Nazareth College of Rochester