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kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
4.0
When I said yes to a review copy of NIGERIANS IN SPACE, I will admit that it was partly the title. The opening line of the blurb didn't hurt either. Starting to read it, from about chapter 2 I was totally bamboozled, and firmly hooked. (Although I was mildly disappointed that the piece of the moon stolen was pilfered from a laboratory ... for a while I hoped....)
With a story that quickly moves from the early 90's to the present, this is a very smooth, slightly mad debut novel which bodes particularly well for future outings.
It could be that part of the story that really works is the idea that there would be a government official orchestrating a brain gain back to Nigeria. A call to arms for Nigerian scientists the world over. Return, use your knowledge and help the land of your birth become the rising technological power of Africa. There's just the minor inconvenience of a little pinched material as your "entrance fee" for want of a better description.
It's hard not to get well into this whole story without the words "Nigerian Scam" rolling in front of your eyes. And it is a very delicious idea, that the ultimate Nigerian Scam might actually be perpetrated by Bello, the Nigerian government official on some of the great Nigerian brains of our time. Especially as the ultimate plan seems to fall to pieces very quickly and the main character - lunar rock geologist Olufunmi, finds himself stranded, with family and a rapidly disappearing brain gain dream.
But the story is not just about Olufunmi. There's also amiable Thursday, who goes from abalone breeder to poacher, and Melissa another victim of Bello. All three storylines do eventually converge in a resolution steeped in African sensibility.
The action moves around a lot in this book, although once it hits South Africa it settles and whilst there is a strong sense of place, it's also the strong cultural setting and feel that really make this an interesting read. Slightly mad definitely, but good mad. In fact it was fascinating all round. Even if the first few chapters might have you wondering what on earth..
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/nigerians-space-deji-olukotun
With a story that quickly moves from the early 90's to the present, this is a very smooth, slightly mad debut novel which bodes particularly well for future outings.
It could be that part of the story that really works is the idea that there would be a government official orchestrating a brain gain back to Nigeria. A call to arms for Nigerian scientists the world over. Return, use your knowledge and help the land of your birth become the rising technological power of Africa. There's just the minor inconvenience of a little pinched material as your "entrance fee" for want of a better description.
It's hard not to get well into this whole story without the words "Nigerian Scam" rolling in front of your eyes. And it is a very delicious idea, that the ultimate Nigerian Scam might actually be perpetrated by Bello, the Nigerian government official on some of the great Nigerian brains of our time. Especially as the ultimate plan seems to fall to pieces very quickly and the main character - lunar rock geologist Olufunmi, finds himself stranded, with family and a rapidly disappearing brain gain dream.
But the story is not just about Olufunmi. There's also amiable Thursday, who goes from abalone breeder to poacher, and Melissa another victim of Bello. All three storylines do eventually converge in a resolution steeped in African sensibility.
The action moves around a lot in this book, although once it hits South Africa it settles and whilst there is a strong sense of place, it's also the strong cultural setting and feel that really make this an interesting read. Slightly mad definitely, but good mad. In fact it was fascinating all round. Even if the first few chapters might have you wondering what on earth..
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/nigerians-space-deji-olukotun
audaciaray's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable with good payoff tying the characters together at the end. Will definitely read the author's future work.
stacksoftbr's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
r_eva's review against another edition
2.0
This story had so much potential and I honestly got very excited about it from reading its first few pages. However, as a Nigerian, I discovered that there was a lack of research about some details in this book.
The jumps in time were unnecessary, Melle's skin transformation incredulous, her meeting with Tinuke loosely tied, and Wale's kidnapping action and divorce unresolved.
Furthermore, Melissa's death (or something of that sort), Thursday's behaviour, and the whole ending just felt completely jumbled and rushed.
The excuse might be that it's a debut novel but I've honestly seen better from other authors. I wanted to read the sequel but I'm not inclined to after reading this one.
I am not impressed.
The jumps in time were unnecessary, Melle's skin transformation incredulous, her meeting with Tinuke loosely tied, and Wale's kidnapping action and divorce unresolved.
Furthermore, Melissa's death (or something of that sort), Thursday's behaviour, and the whole ending just felt completely jumbled and rushed.
The excuse might be that it's a debut novel but I've honestly seen better from other authors. I wanted to read the sequel but I'm not inclined to after reading this one.
I am not impressed.
archytas's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The disparate threads of this story - which blends spy fiction, science fiction and urban crime genres together - were a little too disparate to really engage me until quite late in the book. A surfeit of plot combines with a slow burn pace - if you prefer your books plot driven, this might suit you more. Some of the individual scenes are great - especially the opening sequence and almost everything involving an abalone whisperer whose plot was largely "has a bad friend" but whose humanity shone through the writing, but the whole just didn't sustain my interest. I picked this up because a number of people had recommended the sequel to me, and I do like to read things in order, but I'm a little undecided now on whether to give it a go or not.
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
I was disappointed when, in the second chapter, that looks the action moved to South Africa (no Nigerians) and stayed earthbound (no outer space). As Robin pointed out, the book wasn't called Only Nigerians in Outer Space, so I shouldn't be disappointed. She's right. But in the end, the book didn't grab me. DNF.
smallnicsmall's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
shonatiger's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I read it too fast (the second half, anyway); maybe it's the magical realism towards the end, but I found it just a little confusing, there. Will have to think about it.
stacialithub's review against another edition
4.0
Scientists are lured back home in a ‘brain gain’ plan to start up Nigerian space program. But, things go awry. Is it legit, a scam, or something more sinister?
Well-told, interweaving stories that not only explore various issues including nationality, exile, political machinations, dreams vs. reality, aspirations, generational impact of actions, scams, criminal activity, national pride, etc..., but also move between 1993 and the present.
There are repeated references to the power & history of Yoruba riddles & storytelling, a gift of a golden tongue. Olukotun has added an intriguing & impressive piece to the canon with his unfolding tale that kept me firmly pulled in throughout the story. Definitely recommended.
P.S. The author has penned an interesting article called "Meeting My Protagonist": http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/09/nigerians_in_space_my_sci_fi_novel_turned_out_to_be_closer_to_the_truth.html
Well-told, interweaving stories that not only explore various issues including nationality, exile, political machinations, dreams vs. reality, aspirations, generational impact of actions, scams, criminal activity, national pride, etc..., but also move between 1993 and the present.
There are repeated references to the power & history of Yoruba riddles & storytelling, a gift of a golden tongue. Olukotun has added an intriguing & impressive piece to the canon with his unfolding tale that kept me firmly pulled in throughout the story. Definitely recommended.
P.S. The author has penned an interesting article called "Meeting My Protagonist": http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2014/09/nigerians_in_space_my_sci_fi_novel_turned_out_to_be_closer_to_the_truth.html