Wole Soyinka (Abeokuta, Nigeria, 1934) whose full name is Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka, was the first African and the first black writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 1986. He is the author of novels, theatre and poetry, and a political activist twice imprisoned for his criticism of the Nigerian government. During his captivity, isolated for almost two years, he wrote his memoirs and some of his poetry on toilet paper, wrapped in tobacco and book leaves; he has declared on many occasions that writing saved his life and sanity during those terrible times. Alfaguara published, coinciding with the award of the Nobel Prize, translations of The Man Died, Season of Anomy and the compilation Teatro —which included Spanish-language versions of A Dance of the Forest, The Trials of Brother Jero and Jero's Metamorphosis— as well as Aké. The Years of Childhood, now republished. This year Alfaguara is also publishing a translation of Chronicles from the Country of the Happiest People on Earth, the first novel by the author in almost fifty years.
Pic © Daniel Mordzinski