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Historical Fiction· Guinea-Bissau

The Ultimate Tragedy

by Abdulai Sila
Aggregate Editorial Score30/100
Published 1995Portuguese
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About This Book

Abdulai Sila's The Ultimate Tragedy (1995) stands as one of the most significant works of historical fiction of its era. Abdulai Sila's 'The Ultimate Tragedy' is considered one of the first novels from Guinea-Bissau. It tells the story of Ndani, a young woman navigating the challenges of love and societal expectations in a colonial setting. The novel is acclaimed for its portrayal of the intersection between traditional African culture and the impositions of colonial rule, offering a poignant critique of the socio-political landscape of Guinea-Bissau. Themes of colonialism, love and relationships, cultural identity run through the work.

Book Details

AuthorAbdulai Sila
Published1995
Country of Origin🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
LanguagePortuguese
Category🗺️ Historical Fiction
ISBN9780982019176
Editorial Score30/100
About the Category

🗺️ Historical Fiction

Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

Explore all Historical Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau

This book is part of Guinea-Bissau's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Guinea-Bissau →

Editorial Assessment

Abdulai Sila published The Ultimate Tragedy in 1995, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of historical fiction from Guinea-Bissau. The book's treatment of colonialism, love and relationships, cultural identity, social critique accounts for much of its enduring reputation. With an editorial score of 30/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Ultimate Tragedy lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of colonialism, love and relationships, cultural identity, social critique is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Abdulai Sila's role in the literature of Guinea-Bissau is well established. The Ultimate Tragedy can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

NYT Best Sellers
notable · national
19950
✍️
About the Author
Abdulai Sila
Guinea-Bissau
View Author →

Abdulai Sila is a Guinea-Bissau author whose work in historical fiction has earned recognition from readers and critics alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Ultimate Tragedy about?

Abdulai Sila's 'The Ultimate Tragedy' is considered one of the first novels from Guinea-Bissau. It tells the story of Ndani, a young woman navigating the challenges of love and societal expectations in a colonial setting. The novel is acclaimed for its portrayal of the intersection between traditional African culture and the impositions of colonial rule, offering a poignant critique of the socio-political landscape of Guinea-Bissau.

Who wrote The Ultimate Tragedy?

The Ultimate Tragedy was written by Abdulai Sila, from Guinea-Bissau. First published in 1995.

What awards has The Ultimate Tragedy won?

The Ultimate Tragedy has received the following recognition: notable critical recognition.

Is The Ultimate Tragedy worth reading?

The Ultimate Tragedy is a well-regarded book with an aggregate editorial score of 30/100 on 50 Best Books. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in colonialism, love and relationships, cultural identity.

Where can I buy The Ultimate Tragedy?

You can buy The Ultimate Tragedy on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Ultimate Tragedy?

The Ultimate Tragedy is classified as Historical Fiction. Novels set in the past, blending real events with fictional narratives.

What country is The Ultimate Tragedy from?

The Ultimate Tragedy originates from Guinea-Bissau's literary tradition. Explore more books from Guinea-Bissau on our country page.

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