[Though Petals of Blood] may not always fulfill the promise of [Ngugi's] earlier works, there is much to admire and ponder about it.

The narrative pattern is complex and at times difficult to follow, embracing a time sequence of twelve years with numerous flashbacks skipping back much earlier to develop important details in the lives of the four main characters…. Ngugi's narrative assumes the misleading appearance of a detective story, as the police begin to interrogate the main characters—all likely suspects … for the multiple murders. (p. 246)

Petals of Blood is a bold venture—perhaps a risky one—since it is obvious that the author's criticisms of his country's new ruling class will not go unnoticed…. Ngugi attacks neocolonialism manifested in the new materialism, as well as his nation's hasty and often shortsighted attempts at rapid industrialization…. If Ngugi at times becomes overly didactic and simplistic in his...