E. C. Osondu

Bit of a mixed bag, this. There were some fine stories here, mostly the ones about the immigration experience. There were also some very interesting takes on late capitalism and how that intersects with poverty and race in the USA and Africa (presumably Nigeria, but where in Africa is not normally stated). I liked Alien Enactors, the faint horror of Memory Store, the sad reality of Traveler and Debriefing, and the sharply satirical Focus Group. Most of the rest I could take or leave. My main complaints were that many of the stories didn't really have a point. When they did have a point it was often obvious and rather artless. There were lots of things left unsaid, presumably an attempt to use subtlety but it felt like early versions of the stories before the scary bits or funny bits or the killer twists were written in. Half of the stories here I would have rejected if I was editor, saying 'good start, but it needs more!' Also, these stories are full of stupid women, bad women, manipulative women, hypocritical women, women who are funny because they're old, and women whose only point in the plot is to have been abused. I don't know whether the author is male or female or other, but they should have a think about that. All in all though E. can write, has some good ideas, but maybe needs some polish.… (meer)

In a big old house in Nigeria, a large extended family plus an assortment of neighbors and passersby make up the environment of the "family house." Watching over it all, punishing, rewarding, judging everything that goes on, Grandpa presides. Somehow, as conmen,market women,psychics and thieves meander through the life of the family and the house, Grandpa manages to turn every circumstance to his own material advantage while providing a place of secure, if not exactly comfortable, refuge for anyone who truly needs it. The spirit of family and community weighs in against the pain of poverty and social collapse in this freewheeling novel that is reminiscent of folklore in its somewhat chaotic but familiar style. Fun to read.… (meer)

In this collection of stories, Osondu portrays Nigerians (both in his homeland, and here in America) in an honest, unflinching light. He uses fascinating details to underscore the violence and desolation like how displaced children in refugee camps, the result of civil wars, name each other by the T-shirts they receive from foreign aid workers offering help. He offers intimate portraits of desperation and judgement, as well as insight into cultural differences and beliefs. He highlights the differences between Americans and Nigerians that result in cultural misunderstandings, and he doesn’t sugarcoat the problems in Nigeria. An illuminating read. Strongly recommended.… (meer)