A multi-layered narrative comprising a series of interwoven short stories and poetic texts which can be read within continental Africa, the African Diaspora and beyond. Tadjo imagines an African society on the brink of total collapse yet there is no doubt that the story resonates in unsettling ways with recent political and social unrest in Côte d’Ivoire. This is a narrative of devastating ideographic power from one of the most important voices in African writing today.

• Cover
• About the Author
• About the Translator
• Title
• Copyright
• Citation/Epigraph
• Part: One
  • Chapter 1: Earth Jolts
  • Chapter 2: The King’s Palace
  • Chapter 3: The Blind Wedding Party
  • Chapter 4: To find Mother, again
  • Chapter 5: The Inhuman City
  • Chapter 6: The Man with a strong scent
  • Chapter 7: Words Never Said
  • Chapter 8: Karim’s Secret
• Part: Two
  • Chapter 9: Karim and Akissi
  • Chapter 10: Love
  • Chapter 11: Making love with her eyes closed
  • Chapter 12: The Lovers’ Night
  • Chapter 13: Burning/regenerating
  • Chapter 14: Karim’s Bat
  • Chapter 15: Hope is Dead!
• Part: Three
  • Chapter 16: The Sky of the Great North
  • Chapter 17: Costume made of Straw
  • Chapter 18: With an Open Heart
  • Chapter 19: The Very Same Day
  • Chapter 20: Waiting
  • Chapter 21: The eye of the mask
  • Chapter 22: The Strength To Believe
  • Chapter 23: The March
  • Chapter 24: Bursts of Light
  • Chapter 25: The Old Woman’s Tirade
• Part: Four
  • Chapter 26: Darkness and Light
  • Chapter 27: Karim’s Memories
  • Chapter 28: Sleeping/Karim’s near despair
  • Chapter 29: The Descent into Hell
  • Chapter 30: The Tidal Wave
  • Chapter 31: The Last Embrace
  • Chapter 32: Karim’s monologue after Akissi’s departure
  • Chapter 33: Akissi’s Remorse
  • Chapter 34: The Crucifixion
  • Chapter 35: Akissi’s Solitude
  • Epilogue/Chapter 36: Death/Life
• An Interview with Véronique Tadjo by Janis A. Mayes
• Historical background to The Blind Kingdom