IT IS UNCERTAIN, WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE DO NOT READ BECAUSE THEY MUST STRUGGLE TO EARN A LIVING. NOT BEING GAINFULLY EMPLOYED MAY OFFER ONLY A MARGINAL EXPLANATION. WHILE NOT DISCOUNTING THE REALITY OF THE UNEMPLOYED, AND THEIR EFFORT TO LIVE IN A LAKE OF WEALTH {FOR THE SO-CALLED ELITE }, BUT VERY LITTLE FOR THE MASSES, ONE MUST LOOK PAST THE SOUND BITES. IF THAT WERE THE CASE, THEN THOSE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED SHOULD READ MORE. THE EVIDENCE POINTS OTHERWISE. CAMEROONIANS WITH THE WHEREWITHAL ARE PRECISELY THOSE WHO READ THE LEAST, PERHAPS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THOSE IN ACADEMIA, AND IN FIELDS THAT REQUIRE PERENNIAL READING IN ORDER TO STAY ABREAST. THE WEALTHIER THEY ARE, THE MORE THEY ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN READING. OF COURSE, INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT, OR KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION, OCCURS OVER TIME, AND IN DISPARATE ENVIRONMENTS. DO CAMEROONIANS NOT READ MUCH, BUT IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT STIMULATE THE BRAIN, AND GIVE THEM NEW IDEAS, OR PLEASURE? IT IS OFTEN EXPRESSED THAT THOSE SURROUNDED BY BOOKS ARE NEVER ALONE. THANKS FOR THE CONCERN. CULTURES WITH A HIGH READING ETHIC, GOOD CHANNELS OF KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION AND NEW IDEAS TEND TO DO BETTER AT CERTAIN OBJECTIVES THAN OTHERS. EASY ENOUGH? NOT REALLY. PERHAPS, A CULTURE OF READING IS SELF-PERPERTUATING. LIKE ALL OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS, INITIAVE AND A SUSTAINED EFFORT ARE THE SINE QUA NON.

I have read some Cameroonian authors and have enjoyed their style. I don't know on their reading habits (except for the Cameroonian I know thru marriage - whom fits this description of very able to read, in a higher economic ability to do so, yet HATES to - I think that it is because school was forced too hard on him). As for the style of writing that I have read that was Cameroonian - they are with their own ways - they are in a sense "rebellious" of English "rules" - and I sensed that they loved themselves for it- Ithough it looked like a healthy love. They DEFINETELY have their own intellect that is unique and beautiful. I, as an American, don't understand enough of the "sayings" (that seem peotically webbed in writing as well as in speech) because I do not enough history IN Cameroon yet, but the mysterious way it is written does pull you in, and it also enlightens one to the extreme difficulties that they go thru (ie - Your Madness, Not Mine)...