Camara Laye

by: Annie

    Camara was born in the ancient city of Kouroussa, which is in Upper Guinea at the time he was born the country was under French rule. He received a European education, which helped inspire him to write and become an author.

            Many of Camara’s writings portray his own childhood and experiences. They also use simple langue to leave much to the imagination of the reader. Politically orientated critics did not accept Camara’s portrayal of African life; they thought that writings did not show the problem of Africa’s collision with Europe.

            Le Regard du roi is generally regarded as Laye’s best work. The story tells of a white man who is shipwrecked on the coast of Africa. This book shows major similarities between the main character and Laye’s own life. The sequel to this novel is much more political and how the character’s idealized way of life he had longed for on his journey is now corrupt by political violence. After many novels about political issues and violence Laye died in 1980.