
Episode 2
Wainaina is nine, Kenyatta is dead and Moi is president. There is political upheaval all over East Africa, but what fascinates him most is the power of words. Read by Freddy Macha.
By Binyavanga Wainaina.
Wainaina is nine and has learned to read. He devours a book a day and loves to play with words. And he observes that all around him East Africa is in turmoil. "Kings are in trouble from Presidents. Presidents are in trouble from Generals. Everybody is in trouble from communists." And as he tries to puzzle out the difference between tribe and nation, he decides that one day he will become a writer.
Read by Freddy Macha. Abridged by Jane Marshall
Produced by Jane Marshall
A Jane Marshall Production for 91热爆 Radio 4.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Tue 8 Nov 2011 09:4591热爆 Radio 4 FM
- Wed 9 Nov 2011 00:3091热爆 Radio 4
- Tue 6 Sep 2016 14:4591热爆 Radio 4 Extra
- Wed 7 Sep 2016 02:4591热爆 Radio 4 Extra
Opening Lines
Sample our books and authors Clip Collection
Interviews, previews and reviews
Subscribe to the Short stories podcast
Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
91热爆 Arts: Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.