willemite

To Nigerians in Osundo’s tales, America voice is a siren calling many to be dashed on the rocks of disappointment. But given how many awful things are shown here about Nigeria, it is no wonder.

Osundo shows us working and middle class Nigerians both in the USA and in Africa, struggling not only with issues relating to emigration, but with personal injustices aplenty. One might think from reading these stories that almost all Nigerian men cheat on their wives, and not only cheat, but establish alternate families whenever possible without bothering to really divorce earlier spouses. The corruption and sometimes insanity of African governance makes it understandable that greener fields might be calling, as the Nigerian prince internet fraud we laugh at here would appear to be the tip of the iceberg in the real country. Osundu’s characters are often cheated, robbed, maltreated by their relations and their public officials and many live lives of desperation, both quiet and noisy. Poverty, as well as selfishness and foolishness, drives many to desperate, even criminal acts. A mother, driven from her home by the janjaweed, takes up with an ill-intentioned sort who reminded me of Jabba the Hutt, and who has dark designs on her daughters. The world shown here is a bleak place indeed.

But that is not all that Osundu offers. At least one philanderer is brought up short in a very amusing story, and occasionally immigration fraud works out in a way that will make you smile. Osundo applies a light touch in a story in which hopeful young men have their hopes raised when they hear a message on the Voice of America from a young American woman who wants to acquire pen pals in Nigeria. Some greener fields are found. The thing I enjoyed most about the stories is that almost all offer insight into the nation of origin, whether by showing the harshness of life there, or by relating myths and magical elements of local culture. You will learn how to tell which of the people you see in the marketplace, for instance, are really spirits. Larger issues are addressed as well. Orphans praying for adoption wonder if God is asleep.

Sometimes the author double dips when relating story elements. He repeats a tale about animals becoming intoxicated by eating cannabis. And the philander tales were a bit too much alike. But overall, this is a sometimes disturbing, sometimes amusing, and almost always informative look at Nigeria and how its people relate to America.