DNF @ 58 pages. Unconvincing characters, story hopping about too much, and no semblance of a plot. ( )

Nigerians in Space may very well be the best fiction book I will have read in 2014. I find myself reading more non-fiction these days, afraid of the frequent disappointment with new fiction, but I am glad that I won Nigerians in Space in the Goodreads First Reads (thanks!) giveaway.

I could describe the book in terms of the plot (the events set off by a Nigerian official promising a scientific leap in the home country to successful Nigerian scientists who like abroad), story (the emotional struggle of characters to fend off the fear and alienation as they are forced to abandon their familiar lives and live in foreign and strange lands, creating false identities and new pasts with the hopes for a better, clearer, calmer, more peaceful features), or the structure (the story of three main characters and the loose connections between their chaotic and blurry pasts colliding in a surprising climax), but perhaps the best way to describe Olukotun’s novel is that it makes sense out of utter chaos. And he does it in an unapologetic manner, without stopping to explain the chaos, but simply telling the story as a lens that the reader can, if she chooses to, use to see the mess in a different way.

Nigerians in Space is a bold tour de force, a mystery full of thrill, and an adventure full of heartbreak. Highly recommended for those who like mollusks, telescopes, and moonlight. ( )

When I said yes to a review copy of NIGERIANS IN SPACE, I will admit that it was partly the title. The opening line of the blurb didn't hurt either. Starting to read it, from about chapter 2 I was totally bamboozled, and firmly hooked. (Although I was mildly disappointed that the piece of the moon stolen was pilfered from a laboratory ... for a while I hoped....)

With a story that quickly moves from the early 90's to the present, this is a very smooth, slightly mad debut novel which bodes particularly well for future outings.

It could be that part of the story that really works is the idea that there would be a government official orchestrating a brain gain back to Nigeria. A call to arms for Nigerian scientists the world over. Return, use your knowledge and help the land of your birth become the rising technological power of Africa. There's just the minor inconvenience of a little pinched material as your "entrance fee" for want of a better description.

It's hard not to get well into this whole story without the words "Nigerian Scam" rolling in front of your eyes. And it is a very delicious idea, that the ultimate Nigerian Scam might actually be perpetrated by Bello, the Nigerian government official on some of the great Nigerian brains of our time. Especially as the ultimate plan seems to fall to pieces very quickly and the main character - lunar rock geologist Olufunmi, finds himself stranded, with family and a rapidly disappearing brain gain dream.

But the story is not just about Olufunmi. There's also amiable Thursday, who goes from abalone breeder to poacher, and Melissa another victim of Bello. All three storylines do eventually converge in a resolution steeped in African sensibility.

The action moves around a lot in this book, although once it hits South Africa it settles and whilst there is a strong sense of place, it's also the strong cultural setting and feel that really make this an interesting read. Slightly mad definitely, but good mad. In fact it was fascinating all round. Even if the first few chapters might have you wondering what on earth..

http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/nigerians-space-deji-olukotun ( )