https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drifter-daniel-omizu-ojadua/1125796681?type=eBook
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Now Available on Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drifter-daniel-omizu-ojadua/1125796681?type=eBook
Monday, August 28, 2017
The 'Medicine Man' Challenge
So I joined a community of book lovers recently in Abuja and attended my first meetup last Sunday at this very cosy and serene lounge in town. One of the main points of discourse was about the book Medicine Man.
Hitherto, we were supposed to read the book, write and submit a one-page review. At the end of the meetup, yours truly was announced the winner of the challenge and a cash prize followed. I was awed because I didn't see it coming considering the fact that I was in the same room with some very brilliant and bright minds.
In further appreciation to the organizers and the writer Ibeh Liedstrand Nwokocha for churning out a beautiful work of literature, I present to you my review. Please enjoy reading and don't forget to click on the links to buy a copy of Medicine Man on Amazon or GoodReads.
MEDICINE MAN BY IBEH LIEDSTRAND NWOKOCHA – Review by Daniel Ojadua
Hitherto, we were supposed to read the book, write and submit a one-page review. At the end of the meetup, yours truly was announced the winner of the challenge and a cash prize followed. I was awed because I didn't see it coming considering the fact that I was in the same room with some very brilliant and bright minds.
In further appreciation to the organizers and the writer Ibeh Liedstrand Nwokocha for churning out a beautiful work of literature, I present to you my review. Please enjoy reading and don't forget to click on the links to buy a copy of Medicine Man on Amazon or GoodReads.
MEDICINE MAN BY IBEH LIEDSTRAND NWOKOCHA – Review by Daniel Ojadua
The story begins with a picturesque portrayal of Owerri as the writer tries to suck you into the environment. The reader gets an instant definition of Owerri as a very busy and lively place with lots of commercial activities commencing early dawn. The writer goes on to paint a picture of Obioma’s earlier childhood days.
Primary school life formed an intricate part of Obioma’s early days in Owerri and of course Mr. Success was a very memorable part of those school years, side by side Kalu his classmate. These were about the two most striking persons Obioma knew at the time. The third striking personality in his life was his crush – Nneka. The story proceeds to Obioma’s quest for five naira (he wouldn’t have had a problem getting if his father wasn’t away to lagos), money he needed on short notice so he could participate in the singing competition at school geared at winning the grand prize of a trip to France.
Worthy of note as the plot thickens, is the subtle and constructive use of Igbo language in the entire story. The writer tries to suck the reader into the language of the story’s environment. Another twist that settles in is the wittiness, very good use of humour to lighten the plot’s progression from Obioma’s visit to the market and his everyday life starting with the long prayers at morning devotions. The positive effects of corporal punishment and strict upbringing reflects on Obioma even as a young boy and helps boost his honesty level.
Corruption once again takes the front burner as we see in Obioma’s father’s civil service career. Lobbying is seen and accepted as a norm even when you are qualified for a role or promotion.
Necessity they say, is the mother of all inventions. The remarkable Mr Success’ fraud turned out to be an eye-opener for a new business opportunity for Obioma and Kalu, his friend. This sets the direction for the story’s gravity and gradually unwraps into its main theme as we are introduced to the second protagonist – Kalu, class and age mate with Obioma who shared a lot of good traits with him. As the story proceeds, we see Obioma’s transformation into a young lad in his teens as his sexuality unfolds.
Necessity they say, is the mother of all inventions. The remarkable Mr Success’ fraud turned out to be an eye-opener for a new business opportunity for Obioma and Kalu, his friend. This sets the direction for the story’s gravity and gradually unwraps into its main theme as we are introduced to the second protagonist – Kalu, class and age mate with Obioma who shared a lot of good traits with him. As the story proceeds, we see Obioma’s transformation into a young lad in his teens as his sexuality unfolds.
Rural life is juxtaposed with city life and the writer concludes the former is way better, more harmonious and serene. This is especially true even today.
The stylish use of traditional Igbo proverbs and their English translations at the beginning of each chapter is commendable. Reading through the book gives the reader, especially the non-Igbo who aren’t familiar with certain oriental cultures and beliefs, more insight to their traditional practices and belief systems. Also, the trend at which young men seek sudden wealth is brought to the fore. But they do not always end well as we are meant to see.
The stylish use of traditional Igbo proverbs and their English translations at the beginning of each chapter is commendable. Reading through the book gives the reader, especially the non-Igbo who aren’t familiar with certain oriental cultures and beliefs, more insight to their traditional practices and belief systems. Also, the trend at which young men seek sudden wealth is brought to the fore. But they do not always end well as we are meant to see.
The book has a melancholic end. Deaths, missing persons, failed dreams, dashed hopes and all the ‘what would have been’. Obioma never got to become a medical and traditional doctor as his mother wanted for him or a big entrepreneur rather he deviated and set his sights on other things that eventually turned grave distractions. Key figures to his deviation were Kalu, good friend turned bad boy motivated by Benjamin’s short route to wealth. Manipulative, deceitful, arrogant sociopath. These were the best words to describe what the good boy Kalu transformed into. Bad friends will definitely prevent you having good friends.
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