I was excited when I read on my BBM updates that this book was going to be made available to the public to enjoy last week. Soon after I had asked the author where I could get the book, I made my way to the University's Waterstones with a wide grin on my face. The inquisitive shop-attendant broke the news that it had not been stocked on our rural shelves yet, so he asked that I order it and expect it within two days. It came the next day.
My reading of The Spider King's Daughter was crammed into short breaks between typing up laboratory reports and essays at first, but something had to give. I finished the book that day. It is a page-turner and for a reader as myself who likes all the details on every page to sink in, I had to make sacrifices.
Though the book's title gives the opinion that "daughter" is the main character, in my opinion the book is a coalition of many different characters, each receiving a good share of limelight.
Abike, the daughter, is a go-getter who has a certain darkness about her life. She takes a liking to a confident, handsome, well-spoken hawker. I admit I did as well.
The book is written by these two, narrating events from their own point of view.
Set in Lagos, the story takes turns through the heavy traffic-laden streets, under the heat of the scorching sun and past the sweaty armpits of Danfo bus conductors who, with everyone else, has to hussle for a living, into the owners-corner of monstrous air-conditioned 4-wheel drives of the well-to-do.
This book attempts at showcasing the contrast in the life of a rich young girl, who is adamant on having things her way, and "my hawker" who has seen nothing go his way for a long time.
The story blends reality into fantasy, opening eyes to the fact that no one rich or poor was born that way. Things happen. And we can make things happen too.
There is no spectrum of wealth in this book, the rich are very rich and the poor are hand-to-mouth poor.
If there is any fault to this book, is that the author has not adequately painted the picture of the characters, so I had no vivid image in my head what these people may have looked like. But that may have been her homework for us.
Lastly, if you are expecting an African Romeo and Juliet remake- a story of love, riches and family dispute, you just may be pleasantly surprised.
3.8/5 stars, well done Chibundu. This is the first fruit of a promising writing career.
My reading of The Spider King's Daughter was crammed into short breaks between typing up laboratory reports and essays at first, but something had to give. I finished the book that day. It is a page-turner and for a reader as myself who likes all the details on every page to sink in, I had to make sacrifices.
Though the book's title gives the opinion that "daughter" is the main character, in my opinion the book is a coalition of many different characters, each receiving a good share of limelight.
Abike, the daughter, is a go-getter who has a certain darkness about her life. She takes a liking to a confident, handsome, well-spoken hawker. I admit I did as well.
The book is written by these two, narrating events from their own point of view.
Set in Lagos, the story takes turns through the heavy traffic-laden streets, under the heat of the scorching sun and past the sweaty armpits of Danfo bus conductors who, with everyone else, has to hussle for a living, into the owners-corner of monstrous air-conditioned 4-wheel drives of the well-to-do.
This book attempts at showcasing the contrast in the life of a rich young girl, who is adamant on having things her way, and "my hawker" who has seen nothing go his way for a long time.
The story blends reality into fantasy, opening eyes to the fact that no one rich or poor was born that way. Things happen. And we can make things happen too.
There is no spectrum of wealth in this book, the rich are very rich and the poor are hand-to-mouth poor.
If there is any fault to this book, is that the author has not adequately painted the picture of the characters, so I had no vivid image in my head what these people may have looked like. But that may have been her homework for us.
Lastly, if you are expecting an African Romeo and Juliet remake- a story of love, riches and family dispute, you just may be pleasantly surprised.
3.8/5 stars, well done Chibundu. This is the first fruit of a promising writing career.
Oh dear, this purple colour is going to turn us all blind love
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