Peter Ngila Njeri: From Candlelight in the Village to Illuminating African Literature

Story Written By Nneji Amako

Peter Ngila Njeri clinched the 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature with his captivating novel manuscript, “Legend of Beach House”.  Njeri’s victory was announced during the African Literature Festival in Oxford, UK on September 3. This achievement awarded Njeri a £1,000 prize and a publishing deal with Abibiman Publishing UK. After the award, Nneji Amako had an interview with him.

A Humble Beginning

In a dimly lit room, Peter Ngila Njeri’s journey to literary prominence began, guided by the gentle flicker of a candle. Born in a Kenyan village, he was nurtured by a family that cherished books, even though he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Childhood and Early Love for Literature

“I did not have the best of childhood experiences,” Njeri recalls, his eyes reflecting a deep well of memories. “I lost my mother at the early age of 3. I grew up with my aunt and grandmother in the village, surrounded by cousins. I didn’t have biological siblings; I was the only kid.”

In the solitude of his upbringing, Njeri discovered his love for the English language, kindled by an uncle’s remarkable library. “My uncle had a fantastic library in the village, in Kenya,” he reminisces. “I grew up reading those books. In my early days, I read books like ‘Devil on the Cross’ and ‘Arrow of God’ by Chinua Achebe.”

 Transition to City Life and the Passion for Writing

As a shy and introverted child, Njeri found solace in the world of books. The room where he spent countless hours reading was partitioned from his grandmother’s sleeping quarters. “I could write with candlelight,” he chuckles, the memory of those nights coming to life in his eyes. “Peeping through the night, she could see the candlelight coming from my reading table.”

Despite the challenges of his early life, Njeri’s fascination with literature propelled him forward. He attended school as an average student but harbored a deep love for the English language. This love nurtured his desire to read and write, eventually leading him to leave his village for the bustling city of Nairobi.

Literary Inspiration and ‘Legend of a Beach House’

“In Nairobi, I stayed with my late mother’s young sister,” he explains, his words carrying the weight of a young man’s dreams. “I did not have the luxury of owing a computer. Later, I met made a friend who allowed me to come to his house to use his computer to type my work. I could type late into the night, sometimes hurting my hand.” The transition to city life marked a significant step in Njeri’s journey. “I found a place I could type with a computer, since it was a village,” he says, the hint of determination evident in his voice.

His passion for writing continued to grow, and he sought out opportunities to hone his craft. “I was writing in long handle and found a place I could type with a computer,” he recalls. “I later left the village for Nairobi.”

The Inspiration behind ‘Legend of a Beach House’

Fast forward to 2023, and Peter Ngila Njeri’s journey has culminated in an extraordinary achievement. His novel manuscript, ‘Legend of a Beach House,’ was awarded the prestigious 2023 James Currey Prize for African Literature. The inspiration for his winning manuscript, he explains, came from a deeply personal experience. “It was inspired by my first time travelling abroad and boarding a flight in 2017,” he shares. “Before then, I learned of the Malaysian Airlines which disappeared in 2014. A night before the journey, I could not sleep. I was wondering what if my flight disappeared. I kept wondering how something can as big as a plane disappear in this 21st century despite the technology, satellite, and innovations. This thought propelled me to start working on the manuscripts”

Sharing Success and Literary Accomplishments

This fear and curiosity drove him to embark on a “crazy research” journey. “I was concerned about the families of the victims of the plane disappearance,” he explains. “I wanted to be a strong voice by writing a book.” Winning the James Currey Prize for African Literature was a moment of sheer triumph for Njeri. “I felt fantastic,” he says, his eyes lighting up. “The news was good to me. Nothing of this magnitude had ever happened to me. I felt good.”

However, what truly sets Njeri apart is his commitment to sharing his success. After the announcement, he took to his social media platform to announce that he would share a portion of his prize money with the other two shortlisted writers.

Beyond Writing: Multiple Roles and Challenges

“Sharing is my second nature,” he remarks. “I could give a significant amount of money to anybody because I am a natural giver. I really understand what it means to be broke, especially as a writer. That was what prompted the idea to give part of the money to the other two shortlisted writers.” As for his literary accomplishments, Njeri proudly lists them, stating, “Yes, I have published a non-fiction book, ‘Changing the World while Changing Diapers,’ co-authored with Isabella Kempf. ‘Legend of the Beach House’ is a manuscript. My short stories have been published in several journals around the world.”

Beyond his writing, Njeri is engaged in other endeavors to support himself. “It is hard to survive writing fiction alone,” he explains. “I am also a reporter with the People’s Daily Newspaper in Kenya, and I also do transcription.” Inevitably, life presents its challenges, even to someone as accomplished as Njeri. “When I don’t have money, I can’t write,” he admits. “My mind cannot be settled; that is normally my worst moment.”

 Overcoming Writer’s Block with Conviction

Njeri’s resilience shines through when it comes to writer’s block. “I don’t believe in writer’s block,” he states confidently, dispelling the notion with conviction. “My writers, including myself, are super lazy, satisfied procrastinators. I don’t believe in it. But if I have to overcome any sort of writer’s block, I would embark on freestyle writing.”

A Remarkable Journey of Perseverance and Inspiration

Peter Ngila Njeri’s journey from the candlelit nights of his childhood to the international recognition of his literary talent is a testament to his perseverance, passion, and generosity. As he continues to illuminate the world with his words, one can’t help but be inspired by the remarkable narrative of his life and work.