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Edition 39 (1988) Winner
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Edition 48 (1995) Winner
Emmanuel Boundzéki Dongala
エマニュエル・ボンズェキ・ドンガラ
Emmanuel Boundzéki Dongala
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1941-06-14 （Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo）
- Nationality
- Republic of the Congo
- Languages
- French, English
- Residence History
- Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo → Montpellier, France → Great Barrington / New York (USA)
Career
- Occupations
- Chemist, Novelist, Playwright, Professor
- Active Years
- 1965-
- Affiliations
- Marien Ngouabi University (faculty; former dean), Bard College at Simon's Rock (Richard B. Fisher Chair in Natural Sciences)
- Influenced By
- Léandre-Alain Baker, Philip Roth, Tchicaya U Tam'si
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin College | — | Chemistry | BA | — | United States |
| Rutgers University | — | — | MS | — | United States |
| University of Montpellier | — | — | Ph.D. | — | France |
Oberlin College
Chemistry
Degree:
BA
Country:
United States
Rutgers University
Degree:
MS
Country:
United States
University of Montpellier
Degree:
Ph.D.
Country:
France
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire | Le Feu des origines | — | Organizers of Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire | 受賞 |
| 1988 | Prix Charles Oulmont | Le Feu des origines | — | Fondation de France | 受賞 |
| 1998 | Prix RFI-Témoin du Monde | Les Petits Garçons naissent aussi des étoiles | — | RFI (Radio France Internationale) | 受賞 |
| 2003 | Fonlon-Nichols Prize for Literary Excellence | — | — | African Literature Association | 受賞（文学的創造性および表現の自由への貢献） |
| 2004 | Cezam Prix Littéraire Inter CE | Johnny Mad Dog | — | Cezam | 受賞 |
| 2010 | Le Prix Virilo | Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve | — | Le Prix Virilo | 受賞 |
| 2011 | Le Prix Ahmadou Kourouma | Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve | — | Le Prix Ahmadou Kourouma organizers | 受賞 |
| 2013 | Le Prix Mokanda | Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve | — | Le Prix Mokanda organizers | 受賞 |
| — | Guggenheim Fellowship | — | — | John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation | 受賞 |
Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire
1988
Work:
Le Feu des origines
Organization:
Organizers of Grand Prix Littéraire de l'Afrique Noire
Result:
受賞
Prix Charles Oulmont
1988
Work:
Le Feu des origines
Organization:
Fondation de France
Result:
受賞
Prix RFI-Témoin du Monde
1998
Work:
Les Petits Garçons naissent aussi des étoiles
Organization:
RFI (Radio France Internationale)
Result:
受賞
Fonlon-Nichols Prize for Literary Excellence
2003
Organization:
African Literature Association
Result:
受賞（文学的創造性および表現の自由への貢献）
Cezam Prix Littéraire Inter CE
2004
Work:
Johnny Mad Dog
Organization:
Cezam
Result:
受賞
Le Prix Virilo
2010
Work:
Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve
Organization:
Le Prix Virilo
Result:
受賞
Le Prix Ahmadou Kourouma
2011
Work:
Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve
Organization:
Le Prix Ahmadou Kourouma organizers
Result:
受賞
Le Prix Mokanda
2013
Work:
Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve
Organization:
Le Prix Mokanda organizers
Result:
受賞
Guggenheim Fellowship
Organization:
John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Un fusil dans la main, un poème dans la poche
1973 NovelAn early novel dealing with social and political themes, contrasting poetic expression and violence.
social issuespolitics
Jazz et vin de palme
1982 NovelA novel exploring culture and everyday life, set against music and regional traditions.
culturehuman relationships
Le Feu des origines
1987 NovelA novel addressing colonization and its aftermath, dealing with historical challenges in Africa. Won a major literary prize in 1988.
colonizationhistory
Le Premier matin du monde
1984 PlayA play expressing cultural narratives and storytelling on stage.
traditiondrama
Les Petits Garçons naissent aussi des étoiles
1998 Novel 320 pagesA novel about boys' coming of age, violence and societal contradictions. Awarded RFI prize in 1998.
boysviolencecoming of age
Mes enfants? Quels enfants?
1990 PlayA play focused on family dynamics and intergenerational conflict.
familyconflict
Le Miracle de Noël
1995 Play (based on a novel by Tchicaya U Tam'si)A dramatic reworking based on an existing work, themed around Christmas.
religious motifsadaptation
Johnny Mad Dog
2002 NovelA harsh portrayal of child soldiers during civil war. Adapted into a film in 2008.
civil warchild soldiersviolence
Adaptations
- [Film] Johnny Mad Dog / Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire (2008)
Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve
2010 NovelAn ensemble novel about community and memory. Recipient of several literary prizes.
communitymemory
The Bridgetower Sonata
2017 Historical novelA historical fiction based on real-life violinist and musicians. English translation published.
musichistory
Translations
- English translation (Schaffner Press, 2021)
Bibliography
- Un fusil dans la main, un poème dans la poche (1973)
- Jazz et vin de palme (1982)
- Le Premier matin du monde (play, 1984)
- Le Feu des origines (1987)
- Mes enfants? Quels enfants? (play, 1990)
- Le Miracle de Noël (play, 1995)
- Les Petits Garçons naissent aussi des étoiles (1998)
- Johnny Mad Dog (2002)
- Photo de groupe au bord du fleuve (2010)
- The Bridgetower Sonata (2017)
Adaptations
- Film adaptation of 'Johnny Mad Dog' (2008) directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire
Translations of Works
- The Bridgetower Sonata — English translation (Schaffner Press, 2021)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- social realismallegorical elementsblend of narrative and poetic expression
- Recurring Motifs
- colonialism and post-colonialismwar and child soldierstransnational francophone identity (écrits transnationaux)
Legacy
A Congolese chemist and writer celebrated for works addressing social issues across the francophone world. Known for depictions of civil war and child soldiers and for a transnational literary outlook, he has received multiple international prizes.
Academic Societies
- African Literature Association
In Popular Culture
- The 2008 film adaptation of 'Johnny Mad Dog' brought international attention to the work and its author.
Quotes
-
An author should be like a griot: both entertain and instruct at the same time.
Source: Interviews and articles (summarized)
Trivia
- With help from Philip Roth, he obtained a teaching position in the United States.
- Fled to the U.S. with his family during the 1997 Congo civil war.
- Maintains a dual career as a chemist (stereochemistry, asymmetric synthesis) and a noted author.