Reviews - Welcome to Lagos

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240 reviews for:

The premise of this novel is quite interesting - a group of five strangers all fleeing their pasts and thrown together by chance en route to Lagos, where they decide to stick together and form a more or less tight-knit band. Knowing not much about Lagos myself, it was interesting to see it through the eyes of these characters who are Nigerian but did not know this city particularly well, so the reader gets to know it along with them. I’ve read other novels by Nigerian authors that took a deeper dive into the culture than this book did, but it was an enjoyable read, and managed to end on a somewhat hopeful note despite the issues of systemic corruption and government abuse that are a main focus of the story.

ccallan's review against another edition

5.0

I was prepared to be disappointed in this book -- I've seen too many new African writers hyped, only to find that they fall short of the hullabaloo. Well in this case I was very happy to be wrong. A wonderful novel, full of characters both typical of their types and unique in the way she develops them. No one comes through unscathed, heroes or villains. And just when you think you've got the trajectory of the tale figured out, the story jinks to the left and right and surprises you. Parts reminded me of War and Peace, when the best laid plans fall victim to the unexpected and unpredictable.

marshaskrypuch's review against another edition

4.0

This book was hard to get into and I had trouble keeping the characters straight at first but it was worth the effort. An absorbing story set in Nigeria about people trying to do the honourable thing, even though that might get them killed.

henren's review

4.5

hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

2kerrymehome's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

I loved the descriptions of Lagos, and the knowing love with which the author describes Nigeria's faults. I appreciate that Onuzo's books tackle political challenges in people's personal lives. I like that she gives her characters power and sees what they do with it.

I think I was left wanting to see more that took place between the characters to forge their found family. There was the initial hardship, but then they were instantly so close, and it didn't feel earned. I had a hard time connecting to their successes and failures when I felt the bond between them was a bit flimsy, even with so much time to build it up.

Between this book and Sankofa, I'm learning that Onuzo's books don't have sequential plots. The characters meander and you don't know where they will land. It's something I'm growing to appreciate. I love her writing.