BOOKS
BOOKS by Nigerian Writers
Most of the books here are selections from the Literary Hub Bookshelf known for smart, engaged, entertaining writing about all things books. One thing that I know now is the greatness of Nigerian writers. The unique approach of Nigerians attitude to whatever they do. In every profession, writing included, we are good and special and the whole world is testifying to that. We have moved a bit ahead with this quarter’s Books by Nigerian Writers. - compiled by SALAMATU
SULE
Author: JUDE IDADA Title: BOOM BOOM Jude Idada’s Boom Boom is the winning book for the 2019 NLNG Prize for Literature Children’s novel category, dedicated to all warriors who have fallen and those who are still living. Boom Boom tells the story of Osaik an eight-year-old and Kompa his dog who tries to do all they can to assist Eghe (Eghosa) his five-year-old sister from an unbearable disease. Oasik, Kompa and his father must find a donor match for Eghe Boom Boom’s Sickel Cell Anemia after it tragically claims their mother’s life to become a star in heaven. The search for a donor is not easy, as virtually everyone, including Osaik is no match for Boom Boom to get a transplant and live a normal healthy life like everyone. The 227-page novel is quite a zestful, humorous and instructive. While the plot is flawless, it is a fiction with purpose. The heart of the novel is to dissuade anyone who may wish to entertain the idea of a relationship to think twice before they do so. Idada uses JJ Osagie to drive home his point as he says: “Love is beautiful and is should always be celebrated, but the love that enables this disease is a selfish kind of love. So, if you are in a relationship where you know that there is a chance of bringing a child with Sickle Cell Anemia into the world, please, think twice about it.” Boom Boom-pg -221 Idada’s style can be liken to that of Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens in every sense as the author’s craft of characterization is so skillful that a reader is left with the memories of Ehe Boom Boom, Atasweswe...
Author: OBINNA OKE Title: DESERT BREAD Obina Oke, a rising new voice in the Nigeria literary scene is one story teller to watch out for. His debuted novel, Desert Breed published by AMAB publisher in 2019 takes us through the torturous quest of the protagonist Uche, the protagonist as he battles for survival in the face of man inhumanity to his fellow man. Each tale is a cliff hanger as a reader journeys along with fear and hope for the protagonist who at every now and then struggles for survival. Uche loses his mother to the cold hand of death by a wicked step mother who ensures his life is stalled and never to make any meaningful progress. He wins his Uncle, Umai’s sympathy shortly after his father’s death and runs to leave with him in Onisha. Happy that his life will turn around for the better, Uncle Umai’s wife crude nature and cold attitude brings up a new nightmare as all relationship between him, his cousins and Uncle is cut short. Happy about the fact that he is able to go to school, he hopes again inspit of the great turbulence to live in a desert and fear where everyone else, have opportunity of a normal life. Anezi Okoro, a professor of medicine and author of One Week, One Trouble puts it more succinctly as he says: “Obinna Oke is a totally captivating story writer who attempts the reader a few times to drop the book, doubting if he was the real story teller. Uche, the principal character bobs and weaves into the story, leaving unbealivable outcomes. For a young medical doctor, not a seasoned actor, the storyteller leaves the reader full of doubt about his authenticity. The two entrances of Lilian into the story leaves palpitations and fears. The future of this story that rends the heart and delicately stiches it back, leaves openings and options which you need to fill”. 50
cometonigeria
Fourth Quarter 2020
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