Jaajef Saiks & Abdoukarim,

Its good to see interest in Baaba Sillah's book "When the Monkey Talks".
It's publication is in itself a triumph. Many people in Baaba's position, a
leading intellectual, who suffer the total loss of vision, would become
victims, living off others sympathy and generosity. What Baaba has done
here is overcome that major burden with a work that makes the
word 'disability' irrelevant. Not only to write, but also to self-publish
in the face of publishers who saw the book buying Gambian public as too
small to bother with.

But the book is not just a novel but a view of Gambian history that goes
way beyond 'Tales of the Gambia' by Florence Mahoney (for those who remeber

school days). Who remembers Pa Edward Small, and the historic role he
played? Who knows the orign of the word 'brukus'for the variety of ground-
nut...(see bottom of e-mail for answer), the real reasons behind the cattle
and hut taxes, the scheming of the Colonial governors and their cohorts,
the attack on mile 2 prison by legions of kankurang? this book brings these
to life, not in a dry textbook way but as part of an exciting read.

And, as you would expect from someone from Sillahkunda...every two pages
contains references to traditional Gambian food... (maybe you can't get
ingrediants in Norway)


All this makes it not just of personal benefit to the reader who wants to
buy (see order details), but also allow it to penetrate those institutions
in which we work and study...through their libraries...let Gambian's feel
proud to have the heroic side of the history and struggle against

colonialism known by other nations...more to the country than the 'smiling
coast' of tourist posters.

Please ask your library to buy a copy.



How to buy:

go to:

http://groups.msn.com/GambianNovelWhentheMonkeyTalks

or e-mail admin_doineex"hotmail.com

Prices = 10 pounds sterling plus postage and packing UK 2.50, EU 3.00, rest
of world 5.50 (all prices in UK pounds)

Please support further by downloading the details and asking your
local/college/university library to buy a copy

jamm ak xewel

T.Cisse

(the answer to the origin of the word 'brukus' to describe the variety of
ground nut, is that it is a Mandinka mis-prononciation of 'Brooks'- Major
Brooks who introduced it into the Gambia as part of the colonial plan for
monoculture)

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