Kill Me Quick
Kill Me Quick
Book Brief
Beta156
Novel • Fiction
Kenya • 1970s
1973
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Kill Me Quick by Meja Mwangi follows the struggles of two young men, Meja and Maina, in urban Kenya. The story explores themes of poverty, unemployment, and survival as the individuals navigate hardships in the city while searching for identity and opportunities in a challenging environment.
Gritty
Dark
Unnerving
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
257 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Kill Me Quick by Meja Mwangi is praised for its vivid portrayal of urban poverty and compelling character development. Readers appreciate the author’s stark social commentary and engaging narrative style. However, some find the bleak themes overwhelming. Mwangi’s writing offers a raw, insightful look into societal struggles, resonating deeply despite its harsh realities.
Who Should Read Kill Me Quick?
A reader who would enjoy Kill Me Quick by Meja Mwangi is likely interested in gritty, realistic narratives that explore social and economic struggles in post-colonial Africa. Fans of Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o’s Weep Not, Child may appreciate its vivid depiction of urban adversity and poverty.
257 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Kill Me Quick is Meja Mwangi's debut novel and won the prestigious Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature in Kenya in 1974.
The novel is celebrated for its gritty portrayal of urban life and the socio-economic struggles in post-colonial Kenya.
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Meja Mwangi is often compared to Charles Dickens for his detailed and compassionate depiction of marginalized characters.
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156
Novel • Fiction
Kenya • 1970s
1973
Adult
18+ years
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