'A Man of the People' by Chinua Achebe

taleaway.com

This book is hilarious and entertaining, depicting the life of a young teacher, Odili, who falls into romantic and political mishap when a politician he didn’t really care for in the beginning (but found to win Odili’s affections), Nanga, turns against him.

Achebe tells the tale of how the political scene in Nigeria has become lackadaisical, filled with uneducated and uncultured opportunists who have no business leading. He tells this tale humorously.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and laughed out loud in some parts – and maybe I laughed to mask the sad reality that Nigeria is still at this phase, nearly three decades after the book was first published. Needless to say, Achebe was a gem. I rate this book 8 over 10.