The Representation of Child Deprivation in Three Contemporary African Novels: An Exploration

This discussion of the representation of child deprivation in contemporary African fiction involves the following three novels (in alphabetical order):Paradise (Abdulrazak Gurnah, Tanzania 1994), Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Adichie, Nigeria 2006), and The Rock Alphabet (Henrietta Rose-Innes, South Africa 2004). As the countries of origin of the selected writers indicate, I have sought to reflect the diversity of African cultures as far as possible. For the purpose of discussion the texts are distinguished in terms of relevant parental factors as follows:No parents: The Rock AlphabetFoster parents: ParadiseAbusive parent (the father in this case): The Purple Hibiscus.