The development of the Swahili novel has proceeded hand in hand with a significant amount of critical and sometimes polemical commentary on the role of the novel in modern society. The summary of the trends in fiction writing in this book points to a widening scope. Looking at the polemics of the nature and purpose of fiction, it is evident that this debate takes place in the political rather than the literary arena. When a novelist's work is considered to be based on social issues, it is clear that a grand political vision of society lies behind that judgement. The great value given to fictional texts in the Swahili literary field relies on this interconnection between literature and politics. The literary world is fragile, yet it is this quality of involvement that sustains its political impact. Each new Swahili novel is expected to provoke a public debate from this socio-political perspective because there is no other platform for an artistic or literary appreciation of new fiction.

The first consequence of this absence is the powerful influence of popular fiction in the broader field of literature. Crime and sex are the preferred themes for the general readership. The majority of Swahili novelists, including those whose works are the most impenetrable, are to all intents and purposes compelled to employ themes imposed by the popular novel. The fact that the Swahili novel is oriented towards the popular novel has required a change in perspective when assessing their value.