Ripe Plums: A Novel

When the Plums Are Ripe by Patrice Nganang is the second volume in a magisterial trilogy that delves into the story of Cameroon caught between empires during World War II. In Cameroon, the highly anticipated plum season serves as a poignant reminder for the narrator, the poet Pouka, of a time when their country discovered the root of its own violence and the world's violence. The country responded by sending their sons, known as Senegalese infantrymen, into the desert, mirroring the evening sellers who discard unsold plums into the embers.

This novel, characterized by radiant lyricism, narrates Cameroon's forced participation in World War II, challenging and complicating our understanding of this global conflict. Following the fall of France in 1940, Cameroon faced a dilemma being caught between Vichy and the Free French, with growing nationalism advising allegiance to neither regime. Ultimately, Cameroon was thrust into fighting in North Africa on behalf of the Allies.

Through the stories of Pouka, the French general Leclerc, and the battles of Kufra and Murzuk, Nganang scrutinizes the colonial past and centers African perspectives in Cameroon's national history. With humor and style, Nganang crafts a politically charged epic in When the Plums Are Ripe, that not only challenges the legacies of colonialism but also examines the intersections of language, authority, and history.

In conclusion, When the Plums Are Ripe is a beautifully written novel that redefines Cameroon's role in World War II, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of colonial history and the impact of language and power dynamics.

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