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Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(5) Tree Line

In terms of the language itself, this one's not a really hard slog—Soyinka generally keeps his sentences and vocabulary pretty simple and straightforward. However, there's a lot of discussion of ritual and tradition that likely won't be familiar to you, and Soyinka's use of Yoruba expressions, verse, and parables (for example, the story of the Not-I bird) can be a little difficult to understand at first encounter.

Luckily, however, Soyinka's included a glossary of terms to help you out, and a good Google search will be your friend if you want/need more info on a particular custom or word. Even if you're struggling in certain parts, though, try to relax and enjoy the humor of Soyinka's prose—we know it's a tragedy and all, but a lot of the dialogue really is quite playful and funny.