Book of the week: The famished road
Author: Ben Okri
Themes
1. Roads & Hunger: The road is history itself. Always hungry, eating people’s dreams as they struggle forward.
2. Abiku & Dual Vision: Azaro sees both spirits and reality. It shows a nation torn between tradition and modernity.
3. Politics & Corruption: Politicians use violence and hunger to exploit the poor.
4. Suffering & Hope: Despite poverty and betrayal, people survive through love and community.
Summary
Azaro in this book is an “Abiku” which is known as “Ogbanje” in Igbo. His spirit companions keep trying to pull him back to death, while his poor family fights to survive. His mother hauling heavy loads daily, and his father working as a porter before chasing a dream of becoming a boxer.
As independence nears, politics divides the ghetto into Party of the Rich and Party of the Poor creating a battle for control. Madame Koto, once kind, grows rich and powerful by siding with corrupt politicians, bringing electricity and a car to her bar.
Through riots, sickness, and supernatural attacks, Azaro chooses to stay alive, and his father battles both human and spirit forces to protect his family.
Was your interest piqued?
What are you reading this week?