{"product_id":"jollof-boy-the-early-years","title":"JOLLOF BOY: The Early Years","description":"Syl Cheney-Coker is a distinguished Sierra Leonean writer born in Freetown, known for his powerful exploration of exile, identity, and African experience. Educated across multiple American universities, including University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he developed a global literary perspective that significantly influenced his work. His poetry and writing are characterized by radical, erudite styles that blend Western and African literary techniques. Cheney-Coker's literary career spans poetry collections like “The Blood in The Desert's Eyes,” “Stone Child \u0026amp; Other Poems,” and the revised “Road to Jamaica,” and his acclaimed novel \"The Last Harmattan of Alusine Dunbar,\" which won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize in 1991. The novel, inspired by magical realism and drawing from Atlantic slave trade histories, represents a distinctive break from traditional African novel narratives.\nHis life has been marked by political turbulence, including a narrow escape during Sierra Leone's 1997 military coup. Despite periods of exile, including a residency in Las Vegas's City of Asylum program, he ultimately returned to Sierra Leone in 2003, declaring that \"exile is neither justifiable nor tolerable.\" A journalist and poet deeply engaged with his homeland's complex history, Cheney-Coker continues to be a significant voice in contemporary African literature.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: B0DTYSBW67\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: GBV.B0DTYSBW67.A\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Acceptable\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Cheney-Coker, Syl\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: This book is in acceptable condition and may have highlighting and or writing throughout. The actual cover image may not match the stock photo, dust jacket may be damaged or missing. Book may show internal and or external wear on spine or cover and may be slightly skewed or have creased pages. This is a used book so codes may be invalid or accompanying media may be missing. May be an Ex library book with stickers and stamps.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Good Books Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51878977765681,"sku":"GBV.B0DTYSBW67.A","price":15.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0914\/3730\/2065\/files\/B0DTYSBW67-0.jpg?v=1758913356","url":"https:\/\/goodbookscompany.org\/products\/jollof-boy-the-early-years","provider":"Good Books Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}