Helon Habila's rich novel takes place during the rule of Sani Abacha (left), president of Nigeria from 1993-98 who closed down the media, attempted to control dissent and committed human rights abuses, such as the hanging of non-violent democracy and environmental advocate Ken Saro-Wiwa. In class we discussed the narration of the novel, how it begins near the end with Lumba, the protagonist, in prison, and how it uses a variety of voices and perspectives. In this way Habila infuses the text with the nightmarish quality of life in Nigeria under Abacha, and captures a communal perspective.
Lurking behind the story of Nigeria in the 1990s is the scramble for African oil, the corruption and violence that attend it.
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