Introduction

Petals of Blood is a novel by Kenyan writer Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, first published in 1977 by Heinemann. The same year, he also released his play I Will Marry When I Want, which he co-wrote with Ngũgĩ wa Mirii. These two politically charged works led to Ngũgĩ's detainment and subsequent exile from Kenya. Petals of Blood is also the last of Ngũgĩ's novels to be written in English, as he chose to write primarily in his native Gikuyu for his following works. 

The novel centers on four unlikely friends—Munira, Abdulla, Wanja, and Karega—who witness the industrialization and Westernization of Ilmorog throughout the span of a decade. Initially a poor and remote farming village, Ilmorog is gradually transformed into "New Ilmorog" at the expense of the natives. Petals of Blood takes a critical postcolonial approach to structures such as capitalism, land ownership, and education.

Plot Summary

In Ilmorog, Munira, Abdulla, and Karega are arrested under suspicion of starting a fire, which resulted in the deaths of three businessmen: Kimeria, Mzigo, and Chui. Another suspect is Wanja, who is recovering in the hospital. 

The novel flashes back to twelve years prior when Munira first arrives in Ilmorog to manage the primary school. He spends his free time drinking at Abdulla's shop. Six months later, Wanja—the granddaughter of one of the locals, Nyakinyua—arrives in the village. Munira, Abdulla, and Wanja become close friends. 

In December, Munira receives a visit from a stranger, Karega. Having been expelled from Siriana high school, Karega comes looking for Munira because Munira had the same experience years before. That same night, Wanja and Munira have sex. However, a disappointing harvest pushes her to leave Ilmorog for the city.

One year later, Munira is tricked into supporting the newly formed Kīama-Kamwene Cultural Organization (KCO). While drinking at Kamiritho, he runs into Wanja, who has been working as a prostitute. The two also chance upon Karega. They all return to Ilmorog the next day, with Munira offering Karega a teacher post.

The drought and impending famine push the villagers to send a community delegation to Nairobi to see Nderi wa Riera, their elected representative. The arduous journey causes Abdulla's little brother Joseph to fall ill. They seek help from one of the houses in Nairobi. However, the owner turns out to be Kimeria—the same man who had impregnated and abandoned Wanja in her youth. He forces her to have sex with him.

Nderi wa Riera offers no help and urges the delegation to support the KCO. The ensuing uproar leads to the arrest of Munira, Abdulla, and Karega. While a kind-hearted lawyer helps secure their release, the ensuing publicity also leads to many donations to Ilmorog. 

Months after, Nyakinyua brews Theng'eta—a potent alcoholic drink—to celebrate the village's circumcision ceremony. Once inebriated, Karega shares how he lost his childhood love, Mukami, to suicide. Mukami's father disapproved of their bond because Karega's half-brother, Nding'uri, was involved in the Mau Mau rebellion. It is eventually revealed that Kimeria had caused Nding'uri's death. 

Karega's confession causes quite a stir: unbeknownst to him, Mukami was Munira's sister, and Nding'uri was Abdulla's dearest comrade in the rebellion. That same night, Wanja and Karega have sex in the fields. Soon, however, Munira dismisses Karega from his teaching post. Although he cites his sister's demise as the reason, he is also secretly jealous of Karega's relationship with Wanja.

In the following months, Nderi wa Riera fulfills his plans to industrialize the village. Wanja and Abdulla become business partners, brewing and selling Theng'eta to great success. They also buy land in what is now known as New...