Of This Our Country, Various
Of This Our Country, Various
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Of This Our Country

Author: Various

Narrator: Weruche Opia, Oseloka Obi

Unabridged: 10 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/30/2021

Synopsis

To define Nigeria is to tell a half-truth. Many have tried, but most have concluded that it is impossible to capture the true scope and significance of Africa’s most populous nation through words or images. Yet here, through personal essays from twenty-four of its writers, a more accurate picture comes into view: one that details the realities and contradictions of patriotism, juxtaposes inherited tradition with the diasporic experience, and explores the power of storytelling and its intrinsic link to Nigeria’s history. Powerful, lyrical and entirely unforgettable, weaves together a living portrait of Nigeria, one that is as beautiful as it is complex. With essays from: Nels Abbey, Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Yomi Adegoke, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Oyinkan Akande, Ike Anya, Sefi Atta, Bolu Babalola, J K Chukwu, Abi Daré, Inua EllamsChịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, Caleb Femi, Helon Habila, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Anietie Isong, Okey Ndibe, Chigozie Obioma, Irenosen Okojie, Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, Lola Shoneyin, Umar Turaki, Chika Unigwe and Hafsa Zayyan. ‘So many of these essays put into words things I feel in the fibre of my gut but haven’t quite worked out the language for’ , author of ‘The read I never thought I needed … moving, funny at times, insightful and so relatable’ , author of

About Various

A Simon & Schuster author.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jola

Some of the essays in this collections were interesting to read, a lot of them, especially the ones written by the younger Nigerians living in the diaspora, were quite painful to read because of the clear disconnect between these young people and Nigeria. The glaring misrepresentation of easily veri......more

Goodreads review by Louise

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 Within these pages. acclaimed and award winning writers share memories and experiences of Nigeria that can be found nowhere else, bringing to the fore a country whose influence can be found everywhere. Twenty four Nigerian writers have written essays bringing their thoughts a......more

Goodreads review by Elohor

This excellent collection by Nigerians on what it means to be Nigerian is one that's made me laugh a lot and almost cry sometimes because they are stories I can relate to. It also helps that these are authors I've known and loved for a very long time. It's the best nonfiction I've read in a while. Hi......more

Goodreads review by Afiniki

The book was an excellent idea and I enjoyed the diversity of the pieces in terms of style. However, a number of the stories seemed to have "coming back to Nigeria" or "visiting Nigeria" as a theme or key event, which once again makes me wonder why so few homegrown writers are platformed. The book c......more

Goodreads review by Lolá

Loved Abubakar Adam Ibrahim's essay so much and quite a few others too. The collective gave all it needed to give.......more

Quotes

‘The read I never thought I needed. As a fellow Nigerian, I learnt so much about our culture – both the good and the bad, but maybe more importantly, our potential … moving, funny at times, insightful and so relatable. It's a necessary read’ , author of ‘This collection of 24 personal essays did what it needed to do! The voices included are as eclectic and diverse as the country itself, and you can go from laughing to wanting to weep in a matter of moments as you’re taken through the ups and downs of a nation – and national identity – that is still scarred by colonialism, civil war and corruption but strides towards the future with arrogance, endless optimism and sheer bloody-mindedness. To be Nigerian is a complex and contradictory thing, but so many of these essays put into words things I feel in the fibre of my gut but haven’t quite worked out the language for’ , author of

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