Houseboy

Houseboy is a 1956 novel by Ferdinand Léopold Oyono. Written in the form of a diary, the novel humorously depicts the harsh realities of a houseboy serving a French commandant. Oyono's work, along with The Old Man and the Medal, reflects the growing anti-colonial sentiment of the 1950s. Through an ironic tone, Oyono critiques paternalistic missionaries and administrators, highlighting the tragic experiences of ordinary people who naively accepted colonial doctrines. The novel uses humor to portray the foibles of colonial masters and the villagers, drawing on Oyono's background as an actor.1