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Atoke’s +234- An Awkward Guide to Being Nigerian is a captivating collection of essays that delve into the heart and soul of Nigerians. Through a first-person narrative, Atoke shares the diverse experiences of Nigerians both at home and abroad, drawing from her personal stories to illuminate the complexities and nuances of Nigerian identity.
Since it is a collection of essays, the book contains a central theme, which I have termed “Nigerianess,” the ability to show your Nigerian attitude everywhere you go.
As a Nigerian, this book opens up a lot of intriguing issues, including ethnic diversity in greeting and reverence of “Juju”. Why should a person from an ethnic group get offended when someone from another ethnic group greets you with the way they were trained? Why should I be afraid of travelling to my village to celebrate Christmas? These and more are the themes you will find when reading Atoke’s book.
Another interesting thing to note for those interested in getting this book is that despite the seriousness of these issues, Atoke does not fail to add humour, which she uses to engage the readers.
In commenting on the form of the book, Atoke’s +234- An Awkward Guide to Being Nigerian has a lot of distinctions from regular fictional books. From the title cover, it is designed to easily attract a buyer to get it, even if the person is not a fan of reading books. Also, the addition of colourful pages in the book is another way of keeping the reader’s interest. Also, the artistic nature of the font engages readers to press on and not get tired while reading and is distinct from the other books you may have seen or read. The wordings are not compressed to each other, thus making it legible for a reader to read through without strain.
Also, in commenting on the form, the short form of each article in the book should be appraised. Atoke’s ability to shorten her articles and make them precise enough is also a means of engaging her readers in reading further because when you are done with one, you would be encouraged to read on and on. Before you blink, you are at the end of the book, craving for more.
In concluding this review, it is essential to note that despite Atoke clashing with the various issues she sees that affect us as Nigerians, she does not fail to provide a solution in the book’s concluding article. If you want to know what solutions she prescribes, you need to get this book.
Title: +234- An Awkward Guide to Being Nigerian
Author: Atoke
Place of Publication: Canada
Publisher: Ink Fortaine
Edition: First Edition
Pages: 166 pages