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A review by sir_presh
Of This Our Country: Acclaimed Nigerian Writers on the Home, Identity and Culture They Know by Anietie Isong, Lola Shoneyin, Abi Daré, Okey Ndibe, Caleb Femi, Sefi Atta, Chigozie Obioma, Yomi Adegoke, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Helon Habila, Irenosen Okojie, Inua Ellams Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Ike Anya, Nels Abbey, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, J.K. Chukwu, Chika Unigwe, Hafsa Zayyan, Oyinkan Akande, Umar Turaki, Bolu Babalola
5.0
What an absolute delight to read!
I don't think of myself as a Nigerian; my identity is not tied to any nationality or ethnic group. I don't know why that is, but it is what it is. However, I read most of the essays in this book with a smile here and a chuckle there. Like Caleb Femi says in his essay, "who of us can say they truly know this country? No one does...The only Nigeria a Nigerian knows is the one they knew in their own homes." But despite this, I found a shared denominator, especially with the writers who wrote about Southern Nigerian (West, East, and South). I'd nod in agreement when they talked about something I recognized, something so Nigerian even I could not have extricated myself from it. Mentions of the poor facilities at NYSC orientation camps, the countless (and pointless) checkpoints on the road leaving Lagos to the south, and Lagos itself, amongst other things, was like the unmistakable aroma of Nigerian party Jollof.
I haven’t and still do not read a lot of Nigerian authors. Still, this anthropology of essays has impressed me that Nigerian authors are brilliant with words. Naija no dey carry last! I will be looking to check out some of these authors soon.
I don't think of myself as a Nigerian; my identity is not tied to any nationality or ethnic group. I don't know why that is, but it is what it is. However, I read most of the essays in this book with a smile here and a chuckle there. Like Caleb Femi says in his essay, "who of us can say they truly know this country? No one does...The only Nigeria a Nigerian knows is the one they knew in their own homes." But despite this, I found a shared denominator, especially with the writers who wrote about Southern Nigerian (West, East, and South). I'd nod in agreement when they talked about something I recognized, something so Nigerian even I could not have extricated myself from it. Mentions of the poor facilities at NYSC orientation camps, the countless (and pointless) checkpoints on the road leaving Lagos to the south, and Lagos itself, amongst other things, was like the unmistakable aroma of Nigerian party Jollof.
I haven’t and still do not read a lot of Nigerian authors. Still, this anthropology of essays has impressed me that Nigerian authors are brilliant with words. Naija no dey carry last! I will be looking to check out some of these authors soon.