Pantheon Books
Taduno's Song, by Odafe Atogun
Taduno's Song, by Odafe Atogun
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The day a stained brown envelope is delivered from Taduno’s homeland, he knows that the time has come to return from exile. Arriving full of hope, the musician discovers that his people no longer recognize him, and no one recalls his voice. His girlfriend, Lela, has disappeared, abducted by government agents. Taduno wanders through his house in search of clues, but all traces of his old life have been erased. As he becomes aware that all that is left of himself is an emptiness, Taduno finds new purpose: to unravel the mystery of his lost life and to find his lost love. But soon he must face a difficult decision: to fight the power or save his woman, to sing for love or for his people.
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Odafe Atogun’s Taduno’s Song is a simple and engaging story about a man who was in exile and returns to his homeland, Nigeria, at the devastating news of his lover. The book focuses on Nigeria’s political history while making an exemplary statement on what it means to be silenced and how powerful breaking that silence is. While reading the book, I felt like I was reading a fairytale at some points due to its imaginative and unreal writing. I also understood the power of music as a tool to unite and as a weapon against injustice. I wish the book was a bit longer with a different ending but I believe all these are necessary or befitting of the book’s kafkaesque quality.

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