Murder in the Cassava Patch

Originally published in 1968, Murder in the Cassava Patch is a classic of Liberian literature. Set in 1957 in the fictional village of Bendabli, it tells the story of the doomed relationship between Gortokai, a young Liberian man, and Tene, the girl he hopes to marry. Written using colloquial Liberian English, this novella addresses emotional and unsettling themes, presaging Liberia's decades of violence and turbulence. Its narrative complexity and fascinating setting have made Murder in the Cassava Patch essential for understanding the complex history of Liberia.