Hopes and Impediments

[1] Several of the essays caution against generalizing all African people into a monolithic culture, or using Africa as a facile metaphor.

[2] The opening essay, "An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's Heart of Darkness", challenged the prevailing opinions in the west about Joseph Conrad's depiction of African people.

[3] He also discusses several notable authors and shares his opinion on the role of writers and writing in cultures.

In a contemporary review, Chris Dunton wrote: "The essays in his new book remind us also how tough-minded, how properly insistent, he can be in exposing false and demeaning ideas about Africa and its culture.

"[4] The book is dedicated to Professor Michael Thelwell.