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Review September 2018

 Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo.

Welcome to Lagos
by Chibundu Onuzo.

First Published: 2017


Welcome to Lagos

by Chibundu Onuzo

A book that prompted much discussion. Thank you to Elaine for choosing it. As Peter wrote, we need a word that encompasses enjoyment, even if the book made us feel uncomfortable. Should we feel guilty about the contrast in our living standard?

Some found the book a little far-fetched. Could all of these bad thigs happen to one set of people? It was thought strange that the others did not challenge Chieke about the money. The incident with the Norwegian embassy was thought unlikely. However, it is alleged that 70% of people in Lagos live in “informal circumstances.” Corruption and coercion are facts of life in Nigeria.

For some, the book did not really gel or flow and there was some uncertainty about where the book was going. There was a general consensus that the beginning of the book was quite weak. Most thought that the characters were well drawn, although Isoken’s character was not well defined. Oma was thought to be a source of irritation but to others a favourite character. The journalist was thought to be superfluous and the story would have stood by itself.

****
JC, 9th September, 2018

Awards:

AA Book Club
Four stars