As I read the history of the area I currently live in, I came across new and interesting facts like how extremely wicked and diabolical the then king was, his polygamus nature and how much he despised some of his kids who turned out to be successful people in life. While some argue that his hostility towards his kids is what made some of them successful, others say that he was just pure evil and his hostility wasn't a form of training but a way of life.
Coming across and reading this history was enlightening but the tip of the iceberg happened about a week after when I came across a book titled “this house is not for sale”.
This sentence is a very popular one in where I'm from and so I assumed the book was going to be about a greedy kid or kids trying to sell off a property and the power struggle that accompanies such incidents, bit the book proved me wrong.
Another subtle reminder to refrain from judging a book by its cover.
Plot Summary
The novel– This House is Not for Sale– revolves around the lives of the inhabitants of a constantly expanding household in an African neighbourhood. The story is centered around Grandpa, a powerful and enigmatic figure who rules over the household with iron fists for years.
As the narrative unfolds, we are introduced to a diverse cast of characters ranging from Grandpa himself, his wives, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren to beneficiaries, each with their own unique voice and story.
This novel is a mesmerizing one authored by E.C. Osondu and spans for about 272 pages. It briefly delves into the complexities of family, community and identity. With an array of interconnected stories, the author masterfully weaves together brilliant characters, themes and even emotions.
My Opinion
This novel was honestly refreshing to read. Although I initially judged this book by its cover and by so doing, made a wrong guess as to what the plot was going to be like, I felt a level of fulfilment after consuming the book.
The book delved into the themes of the family and community, identity, love, survival and struggle, cultural heritages, amongst others. Each inhabitant’s story had one or more of these themes embedded in them. I was particularly intrigued by the story of a girl named Fuebi. A girl pushed against her will to indulge in sexual activities with Fide, a married man old enough to be her father, just because he told Fuebi to keep the change after making a purchase. Fuebi’s reluctance quickly turned into a dilemma when she took in and delivered a set of twins for Fide who wanted nothing to do with her anymore. This particular story throws light on some immoralities and unprincipled acts on both the paths of Fuebi’s mother and Fide. But, wise, old Grandpa was always one step ahead.
The author’s style of writing was very vivid and evocative, easily bringing the characters and their experiences to life. Even without ever witnessing what these characters went through, one can have an apt understanding just by reading about the experiences. The book explored themes that are both universal and personal. This helped to breed some form of connection with readers from all walks of life. To me, this is a superpower that not-so-many authors possess.
However, the novel’s non-linear narrative posed a personal problem. Sometimes, the structure got twisted and this made it really hard to follow the narration. Also, the pacing was a minor issue. While some people’s stories were properly narrated, others lacked nuance.
This leads me to another thing I liked about this book, the use of magical realism and African proverbs, which adds a touch of wonder to the stories. Before now, I have heard pre colonial stories and how evil ancestors were. This was as a result of their abilities to harness certain powers, using them for evil. This book however, didn't dive too deep into this aspect. Instead the author made mention of the story of a lady named Tata who kept losing all her babies on or before the seventh day of birth. Tata’s situation has a medical explanation today but since she was already tagged as a witch and a soul stealer, Tata opted to exchange her dead baby and an eternity dressed in white for magical powers.
Recommendation and Rating.
This House Is Not For Sale is a very refreshing and enlightening read. It is suitable for anyone interested in novels that explore the complexities of family and society at large. It is also a good start for one who wants a glimpse as to what a traditional family setting felt like over a century ago.
I would give the book an 8/10 rating because, irrespective of the minor setbacks, the book was an amazing read. I recommend it.
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[Image 2 is a screenshot from my e-library].