Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth

A Review:

Wole Soyinka has blessed us with another novel. It does not take long to realize the satirical nature of the title. A country full of strife is commonly noted as the place with the happiest people in the world. How can an individual be truly happy with a land full of corruption, cultists, and strenuous situations? The question becomes more salient as one reflects on the effects of corruption, cultists, and scammers. The linguaphile explores the question by following the exploits of the Gong of Four. It appears as a disjointed story. I was often frustrated reading the story through stretches of detail that seemed mundane and drawn out. Sections of the book that followed the dull areas encapsulated me. By the time I put the book down I realized 25 pages have passed. The book ends on one of the riveting runs that redeems all the disengaging sections which were merely set up. 

Through the winding story, Soyinka weaves Nigerian utilizes culture and current events to drive the plot. Often a staunch critic of the republic, he does not pass an opportunity to tie his thoughts into the dialogue and narration. One can read the book and imagine that the only thing planting this novel in fiction is using imaginary names. The story is so close to our reality that there are instances where the names and events are not imaginary. Such is the case as the real-life event that seems to be a focal topic of the story, the ritual killing of Abosede Iyanda by the witchdoctor Segun Olaniyi. He uses crimes like these to explore the hierarchy of criminality and the pervasiveness of evil in the quest for power. This tale will be most enjoyed by those who understand the Nigerian culture or cultures that are similar. Without proper context, the gravity of certain phrases, scenes, and events may eschew the reader. That is not to say that the story will not be appreciated by those who do not have a foot planted in this type of culture, but the book will show the reader that there is much to learn about the world.