A Grain of Wheat

Set in Kenya on the eve of independence, A Grain of Wheat weaves together the lives of villagers whose experiences have been shaped by colonial rule and the Mau Mau rebellion. At its heart is Mugo, a man celebrated as a hero but haunted by a secret that threatens to change everything. Through themes of freedom, loyalty, love, and betrayal, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o delivers a compelling exploration of the personal costs of liberation and the complexities of building a nation.