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Man Of The People, by Chinua Achebe
Man Of The People, by Chinua Achebe
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As Minister for Culture, former school teacher M. A. Nanga is a man of the people, as cynical as he is charming, and a roguish opportunist. When Odili, an idealistic young teacher, visits his former instructor at the ministry, the division between them is vast. But in the eat-and-let-eat atmosphere, Odili's idealism soon collides with his lusts—and the two men's personal and political tauntings threaten to send their country into chaos. When Odili launches a vicious campaign against his former mentor for the same seat in an election, their mutual animosity drives the country to revolution.
Published, prophetically, just days before Nigeria's first attempted coup in 1966, A Man of the People is an essential part of Achebe’s body of work.
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A gripping tale, with vividly described characters like the bootlicking Nwege, Edna's greedy, avaricious father, the absurdly hilarious chief Koko, and Odili's own proud, well known and widely hated Father, Hezekiah. This story chronicles the politics of African states, and it's eat-and-let-eat leaders. I read this book 11 years ago in school and I can probably remember it word for word, a must read for anyone seeking insight into the very nature of African state of affairs, from overnight inflation to the disillusion poverty brings, and the rise of unknown backbenchers who will support unpopular motions in parliament if only for personal gain. Achebe tells this tale with multiple hilarious references, and makes even the most mundane story come through with such a fine mastery of humor. A thought provoking read.
The novel has a very slow build but a massive payoff. Odilli is a problematic hero, but easy to sympathize with even as you shake your head at him. And Nanga was scarily Trump-like.
The novel has a very slow build but a massive payoff. Odilli is a problematic hero, but easy to sympathize with even as you shake your head at him. And Nanga was scarily Trump-like.
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