F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “The reason we write is not because it means something. He writes because he has something to say. » This quote directly applies to the novel A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiong. One might infer from this quote that some writers write not just for the pleasure that comes with it, but rather out of a sense of obligation to let readers hear what they have to say. Ngugi's message that he feels compelled to convey is delivered, however, he uses a very unusual writing technique to get there. He wants readers to understand the pain, suffering and confusion that took place during the emergency. Through confusing chronological order, numerous changes in characters and points of view, and a powerful conclusion, Ngugi conveys his message with immense authority. The writing style used by Ngugi in this novel is quite impressive. The most obvious difference between this writing and the other two stories we read is that, without respecting chronological order, it travels from the beginning of the emergency in Kenya to the conclusion of the emergency. We can understand the complexity of this time gap by examining the first four chapters. Ngugi begins the novel with Mugo experiencing a nightmare six days before Uhuru. Immediately, readers begin to wonder what exactly is going on. Then Mugo wakes up and starts walking around the city. The entire first chapter follows Mugo throughout his day. Ngugi gives readers the names of people who are not yet significant to the story. At the start of the second chapter, Ngugi takes readers into a history lesson about how the Emergency began. He begins by examining the early leaders of the movement and explains... middle of paper ...... say something. He writes because he has something to say,” he made a valid statement. Not every writer has something to hear, but some writers do. Ngugi found a very unique way of delivering a message that needed to be heard, with great force and passion. Works Cited Hall, Donald. Literary and cultural theory: from basic principles to advanced applications. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001. Miall, David. “Poetics 19.” Reader Response to Story: Evaluate, Relate, Anticipate (1990): 323-339. Palmer, Eaustace. An introduction to the African novel. New York: Africana Publishing Corporation, 1972. Thiong’o, Ngugi. A grain of wheat. Jordan Hill, Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, 1986. Vipond, Hunt. “Point-driven comprehension: Pragmatic and cognitive dimensions of literary reading.” Poetic 13 (1984): 261-277.