- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: Alma Books Ltd (15 Mar 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1846880971
- ISBN-13: 978-1846880971
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 12.8 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 266,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Ozumba's gift for capturing detail is astonishing" --The Independent
"Kachi A Ozumba's The Shadow of a Smile is a brilliantly funny and gripping novel that examines the corruption and hypocrisy within the Nigerian justice system." --The Observer
"At times poignant, lyrical and often very funny, Kachi Ozumba is a talent to watch out for" --Jackie Kay
"Kachi A Ozumba's The Shadow of a Smile is a brilliantly funny and gripping novel that examines the corruption and hypocrisy within the Nigerian justice system." --The Observer
"At times poignant, lyrical and often very funny, Kachi Ozumba is a talent to watch out for" --Jackie Kay
Product Description
Torn from his father and a loving sister, the young student Zuba is imprisoned for a crime he has not even thought about committing. His misfortune: to live in a world where corruption is rife and honest and law-abiding people are crushed by the wheels of a blind, unscrupulous bureaucracy. What seems at first to be an irksome judiciary misunderstanding gradually becomes a journey through the hell of Nigerian prisons. Only by showing the utmost daring and integrity will Zuba be able to regain his freedom. Funny, crude, poignant, Kachi Ozumba s debut novel reveals the darker side of a country striving to consolidate democracy after years of dictatorship and tribal in-fighting. There is as much of The Shawshank Redemption in this story as there is Don Quixote, and lovers of Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri and J.M. Coetzee will also find much to delight and inspire them.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the best book I've read all year. Kachi A.Ozumba provides a fascinating insight into not just the inner machinations of the Nigerian criminal justice system but the conflicts, ironies and political allegiances that shape the Nigerian psyche. His colourful prose and skillful representation of the speech patterns of the Igbo language create an authentic vision of contemporary Nigerian life. Zuba's story is compelling and complex, and the novel works on many different levels to leave the reader completely satisfied.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought a copy of this book after listening to the author read from and talk about it on BBC, and I'm so glad I did! Like The Shawshank Redemption, it provides a fantastic insight into the hidden worlds of incarceration -- this time within an African society (which the author categorised as Middle and Inside Worlds). Not only did I enjoy following the protagonist, the young simpleton Zuba, who is compelled to grow strong and crafty in order to survive the horrors of his experiences and regain his freedom, I was also impressed by the light-hearted humour with which such a weighty story is told, and the universality of its main theme: the ability of the human spirit to survive, thrive and create a society even in the most impossible situations!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent novel which manages to depict the terrible conditions in Nigerian prisons, and the corruption that interferes with justice, whilst remaining both humane and even humourous. The hero is Zuma, a student who becomes embroiled in a nightmarish situation when he is framed for a crime he didn't commit. Zuma is an instantly likable character who the reader can empathise with and root for from the first few pages. The supporting characters are also well drawn and multi-faceted, from his alleged partner in crime to his anxious family, the couple responsible for his misfortune, to the police and prison staff and his fellow prisoners.
Whilst the revelation of the conditions in the prisons is graphic and powerful, the exposure of the injustice and corruption that Zuma encounters are even more eye-opening and horrible, particularly to someone who is fortunate enough to live in a free and fair society. The powerlessness of the characters and sheer unfairness of the system are quite shocking and this novel brings across the impact of these very well indeed.
However, it's not a depressing book or one that plays for shock value. It's written in a way that is easily readable and very compelling, and actually quite humourous. Zuma's integrity and determination to stick to his principles and not allow himself to play along with the corrupt system, and the help he receives from others, counteracts the acts of greed, bitterness and self-interest that also abound.
I would recommend this book to any reader, as I feel it is a strong story and well written, and should appeal to most tastes. Definitely a must-read if you're interested in Africa or human rights.
Whilst the revelation of the conditions in the prisons is graphic and powerful, the exposure of the injustice and corruption that Zuma encounters are even more eye-opening and horrible, particularly to someone who is fortunate enough to live in a free and fair society. The powerlessness of the characters and sheer unfairness of the system are quite shocking and this novel brings across the impact of these very well indeed.
However, it's not a depressing book or one that plays for shock value. It's written in a way that is easily readable and very compelling, and actually quite humourous. Zuma's integrity and determination to stick to his principles and not allow himself to play along with the corrupt system, and the help he receives from others, counteracts the acts of greed, bitterness and self-interest that also abound.
I would recommend this book to any reader, as I feel it is a strong story and well written, and should appeal to most tastes. Definitely a must-read if you're interested in Africa or human rights.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An insight into the Nigerian legal system
Set in Nigeria in an indeterminate year (mentions the Biafran struggles)this follows the fortunes of Zuba, born of a well placed, educated family, whose fortunes have slipped... Read more
Published on 17 April 2010 by Book chatter
Humour and pathos in a Nigeria that portrays the world.
Kachi A. Ozumba's story of corruption, judicial incompetence and prevailing injustice in Nigeria is lightened by the humour he mixes with the pathos. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2010 by Mr. S. K. Allison
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