Contestation Between Memory, History and Fiction in One Day I Will Write About This Place

Abstract

The intersection between memory, history and fiction is important in the understanding of a life narrative. Memory although selective in nature plays an important role in the presentation of lived experiences; the writer remembers presented events as lived. Fiction in life writings comes in when the writer artistically crafts his lived experiences into a story. This research sought to examine the interplay between memory, history and fiction in Binyavanga Wainaina‟s memoir, One Day I Will Write about this place. It examined the presentation of personal story and the national (hi)story in the memoir. With reference to the national history I discuss the presentation of political regimes in Kenya and the political influence on the education system in Kenya. I also discuss the writer‟s personal story by tracing his various journeys in life.