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A review by abbie_
Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo
4.0
Welcome to Lagos ended up not being the book I was expecting it to be, but that doesn’t mean that I enjoyed it any less! What I got was a surprising (probably more my fault because I never really read synopses in much detail) but thoroughly engaging and fascinating read, with an insight into the political workings of Nigeria.
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When I say political workings I don’t mean that it’s a factual, non-fiction inspection of the political systems - Onuzo more gives you a glimpse of the way things work through fiction, tackling topics like freedom of the press, corruption and privilege.
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It follows five strangers who are all escaping to the hectic anonymity of Lagos for various reasons, including desertion and escape from an abusive marriage, but rather than focus on their individual stories and development as I expected, the story is more focused on their subsequent involvement with a political figure who has fallen from grace in Lagos, and their attempts to better the city in a somewhat unorthodox way.
.
The short chapters make it a compulsive read, and I enjoyed the quick flips she makes between Nigeria and the UK, as well as her astute commentary on the UK’s reactions and behaviour towards international news. It really makes you realise how blasé we can be, not fully realising that something we read on an app while on the train is having life or death consequences somewhere else in the world, before being distracted by some celebrity’s new baby name.
.
I did want something a little more from the five main characters, especially Oma and Isoken, but overall it was a thoughtful, cutting and intriguing read!
.
When I say political workings I don’t mean that it’s a factual, non-fiction inspection of the political systems - Onuzo more gives you a glimpse of the way things work through fiction, tackling topics like freedom of the press, corruption and privilege.
.
It follows five strangers who are all escaping to the hectic anonymity of Lagos for various reasons, including desertion and escape from an abusive marriage, but rather than focus on their individual stories and development as I expected, the story is more focused on their subsequent involvement with a political figure who has fallen from grace in Lagos, and their attempts to better the city in a somewhat unorthodox way.
.
The short chapters make it a compulsive read, and I enjoyed the quick flips she makes between Nigeria and the UK, as well as her astute commentary on the UK’s reactions and behaviour towards international news. It really makes you realise how blasé we can be, not fully realising that something we read on an app while on the train is having life or death consequences somewhere else in the world, before being distracted by some celebrity’s new baby name.
.
I did want something a little more from the five main characters, especially Oma and Isoken, but overall it was a thoughtful, cutting and intriguing read!