With an enraged soul and a sharp pen, Cameroonian writer Eric Delphin Kwégoué uncompromisingly denounces the corruption and violence that plague his native country. In his latest novel, entitled “With an Open Heart”, the author exposes the decline of the State while timidly evoking the possibility of a surge of the people. This powerful book has just won the prestigious RFI 2023 Theater Prize.
In “À coeur Ouvert”, Eric Delphin Kwégoué plunges us into the heart of Cameroonian reality, a reality marked by omnipresent corruption and the violence that threatens every moment. The story focuses on a family caught in a hellish whirlwind, when the father discovers compromising documents on corruption in the awarding of public contracts. Every minute becomes a struggle to protect his pregnant wife and son, while the specter of violence and betrayal looms unabated.
Through his impactful writing, devoid of embellishments, Eric Delphin Kwégoué forcefully denounces the evils that are gnawing at his country. His style, imbued with rage and revolt, transports the reader into a whirlwind of words where punctuation is often absent, thus symbolizing the urgency and tension that reign in this crumbling society. This absence of punctuation also allows the reader to find their own rhythm and interpret the text in their own way, thus making this reading a real dialogue between the author and the reader.
Eric Delphin Kwégoué’s novel highlights the daily reality of a people taken hostage by corruption and violence. Cameroon is going through very difficult times, between the constant threat of the Islamist sect Boko Haram in the Far North and a persistent war in the English-speaking region since 2017. In this chaotic context, journalists are assassinated and political opponents are arrested, leaving the people live in a permanent state of emergency.
The author is also inspired by Émile Zola and his novel “Germinal” to give voice to the Cameroonian people. As Zola valued the voice of workers in his work, Eric Delphin Kwégoué considers workers as the Cameroonian people, and thus underlines the importance of giving a voice to those who suffer and suffer the consequences of corruption and violence.
Today, Eric Delphin Kwégoué is a major figure in the Cameroonian artistic scene. In addition to being a writer, he is also an actor, director and runs his own theater company in Douala, called Koz’art. His artistic commitment and talent have earned him today the 2023 RFI Theater Prize, deserved recognition for his fight against injustice and his commitment to a better future for his country..
In summary, Eric Delphin Kwégoué, with his novel “À coeur Ouvert”, shakes consciences and forcefully denounces the corruption and violence plaguing Cameroon. His striking and unvarnished writing captivates the reader and encourages him to reflect on the human condition in a society consumed by political excesses. Her recent award confirms her status as a major voice in contemporary African literature.