The Most Profound Nigerian Novel In Recent Times!

The Most Profound Nigerian Novel in Recent Times is, Perhaps, Nine Lives by El-Nukoya – Winner 2007 ANA/Jacaranda Prize for Prose! And, trust me, I have read quite a few.

I have read this novel two times already, and that is really weird, considering it’s 500 pages and I am an extremely busy professional!

The power of Nine Lives has been eulogized in several newspapers reviews. I actually got some extracts from the author’s website which I will share with you here, but I’m sure you can Google more yourself.

I also got a free e-copy of the prologue from a literary event last week which I have attached here for your exclusive enjoyment (, and say thank you, please).

Review extracts:

•   “….keeps you reading, keeps you turning the pages; and it has all the touches of a bestseller…romance, intrigue, murder and an erstwhile hero who goes from rags to riches…the main character is not all good, nor all bad, someone most people can relate to…. a hit!” – Chris Bankole, editor and publisher

•   "Grips you from the very first and doesn’t let up until the last revelatory page” – Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, writer and poet.

•   "A totally riveting page-turner, El~Nukoya weaves a moral tale and takes you on a journey across decades of Nigerian culture." – Joy Joses, National Magazine, UK

•   “That rare thing: an authentic Nigerian blockbuster” – Adewale Maja-Pearce, writer and editor

•   "A powerful story! El~Nukoya is a very descriptive writer and I found myself visualizing the scenes – especially the ones in Nigeria." – Gordon Barnhart, USASK, Canada

•   "…Nine lives is just great! Exciting…a book that must win awards. This excellent book must be promoted widely. El-Nukoya deserves acollades - Prof. Yemi Farohunbi.” – Sage, Elder Stateman

You can get if from www.amazon.com or via PayPal at www.elnukoya.com. I was told they ship pretty fast at these two sites. It's also available in most major Nigerian bookstores and locally at www.buyright.com

Somehow when I read the caption I just knew you had to be talking about Nine Lives! Wow! What a novel!

Now, I am not a literary expert in any shape of form, but Nine Lives is breathtaking! Simple! I took a renewed interest in Nigerian novels recently and I have read a handful of good ones. However, I got a copy of this book at Thisday Media Centre at the Palm Mall during my last trip to Nigeria at Christmas and I was simply consumed from page 1!

The author’s style is unique, sort of like a blend between Sydney Sheldon, Harold Robins and Achebe – strange, but I mean that. And it’s real stuff; about real people and real events concerning the everyday Nigerian at home and abroad.

…I have to stop here, because I can go on and on. Pardon, me, but I must confess that I cried when I read that episode in Book 3, when Olupitan returned home from the States and his father didn’t want to accept him.

Hey, enough said, I'm already tripping again, 

Anyway, thanks Fela for the attached prologue. I can share this with my online friends!

Abeg has anyone who has been a member of Nairaland for more than six months read this book? Please reply ASAP with your verdict if you have. Thanks.

I am not a veteran. As you can see, I have only been a member for about 7 months. I am thinking of buying the book (In fact I have asked a friend to buy it for me in Naija) but I have bought a few books which were much hyped by some of the author's friends but ended up being practically crap. When I read it, if I find it to be worth the hype, I will big it up as well, if not, I will share my opinions too.