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An Orchestra of Minorities
by Chigozie Obioma
“Sometimes a man cannot fully understand what he has done until he has told another person about it. Then his own action becomes clearer even to himself”, one of the truest sentiments from Chigozie Obioma’s An Orchestra of Minorities. The entire picture presented by the novel doesn’t become clear until the chi tells it in the court of the spirits.
The novel focuses on poultry farmer Chinonso and the lengths he’s willing to go for his love. Very early on it becomes clear that he will stop at nothing until he and Ndali can get their happy ending. Such determination and passion seems like something truly out of a fairytale, then misfortune strikes, and strikes, and strikes again. This novel is one wild ride that I think a true reader will enjoy.
At no part of the book was I able to guess what would happen next. I had my suspicions, but the entire thing was largely unpredictable and still enjoyable. The concept of spirit narration was so fresh and well done. Chinonso’s chi constantly stepped in and reminded the counsel of spirits, while also reminding the reader, to go easy on this man because he has indeed suffered a lot. At times it felt as though the chi functioned as the voice of the author dropping in, keeping the reader focused and on track while providing beautiful details and quotables.
It also becomes clear that the author wants the reader to be encapsulated by all the going-ons around the protagonist when things are going well for him. You get descriptions of shops, and mountains, tourist spots, etc. When things are going poorly, as they often do, the narrative tightens up and focuses on Chinonso, his chi, and very little else. This writing really helped me focus on what the author wanted me to, making for a better reading experience as I felt I was genuinely being guided and taken along on a journey. A true breath of fresh air and a pleasure this was to read.
The novel focuses on poultry farmer Chinonso and the lengths he’s willing to go for his love. Very early on it becomes clear that he will stop at nothing until he and Ndali can get their happy ending. Such determination and passion seems like something truly out of a fairytale, then misfortune strikes, and strikes, and strikes again. This novel is one wild ride that I think a true reader will enjoy.
At no part of the book was I able to guess what would happen next. I had my suspicions, but the entire thing was largely unpredictable and still enjoyable. The concept of spirit narration was so fresh and well done. Chinonso’s chi constantly stepped in and reminded the counsel of spirits, while also reminding the reader, to go easy on this man because he has indeed suffered a lot. At times it felt as though the chi functioned as the voice of the author dropping in, keeping the reader focused and on track while providing beautiful details and quotables.
It also becomes clear that the author wants the reader to be encapsulated by all the going-ons around the protagonist when things are going well for him. You get descriptions of shops, and mountains, tourist spots, etc. When things are going poorly, as they often do, the narrative tightens up and focuses on Chinonso, his chi, and very little else. This writing really helped me focus on what the author wanted me to, making for a better reading experience as I felt I was genuinely being guided and taken along on a journey. A true breath of fresh air and a pleasure this was to read.