46 pages • 1 hour read
Ousmane SembèneGod’s Bits of Wood
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1960A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
God’s Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembène details the Senegalese railway workers' strike of 1947 against French colonial oppression, focusing on their fight for family allowances and pension benefits. Set in Senegal and Mali, the multidimensional narrative examines the lives of the strikers and their families, emphasizing the evolving roles of women and culminating in a significant march from Thiès to Dakar. Themes of racism and poverty are prevalent.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
God's Bits Of Wood by Ousmane Sembène has been praised for its powerful depiction of the 1947-48 Senegalese railway strike. Critics commend its rich character development and vivid portrayal of African life, while some find its pacing uneven and narrative style demanding. Overall, it is hailed as an insightful historical and social commentary.
Who Should Read God’s Bits of Wood?
Readers who appreciate God's Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembène typically enjoy historical fiction that explores social justice, colonialism, and collective struggle. Fans of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck will find a similar resonance in Sembène's portrayal of resistance and community resilience.