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Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth

'Soyinka's greatest novel'
By Wole Soyinka
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth, Wole Soyinka crafts a satirical narrative set in Nigeria, blending political intrigue with dark humour. The story follows a charismatic surgeon who uncovers a disturbing conspiracy involving the sale of human body parts, hinting at deep-seated corruption and societal challenges. The novel intricately explores themes of power, ethics, and the human condition in a vividly portrayed cultural context.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy a gripping narrative that blends satire with socio-political commentary. Wole Soyinka crafts a masterful tale that delves into the complexities of power dynamics and corruption while weaving in humour and rich cultural insights. If you appreciate thought-provoking fiction with a touch of wit, this might be a perfect choice for you.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Soyinka's greatest novel ... No one else can write such a book - Ben Okri

A lion of African literature - Financial Times

Chronicles is many things at once: a caustic political satire, a murder mystery, a conspiracy story and a deeply felt lament for the spirit of a nation - Juan Gabriel Vásquez, New York Times

A FINANCIAL TIMES AND SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR

To Doctor Menka’s horror, some cunning entrepreneur has decided to sell body parts from his hospital for use in ritualistic practices. Already at the end of his tether from the horrors he routinely sees in surgery, he shares this latest development with his oldest college friend, bon viveur, star engineer and Yoruba royal, Duyole Pitan-Payne, who has never before met a puzzle he couldn’t solve. Neither realise how close the enemy is, nor how powerful.

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth is at once a savagely witty whodunit, a scathing indictment of Nigeria’s political elite, and a provocative call to arms from one of the country’s most relentless political activists and an international literary giant.

A high-jinks state-of-the-nation novel - Chibundu Onuzo

Chronicles is a good model for what the political novel should be: fearless, disdaining formal constraints, sparing no one - Guardian

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Wole Soyinka's Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth is highly praised for its caustic satire and vivid style. It delivers a compelling critique of power and corruption in Nigeria, blending elements of murder mystery, political commentary, and cultural insight. Critics admire its fearless narrative and complex examination of societal issues, offering both humour and pathos through rich, flamboyant language. The novel is celebrated as a powerful political work that challenges and engages readers on contemporary issues.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526638250

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 340g

Pages: 464

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Wole Soyinka

About the Author

Born in Nigeria in 1934, Wole Soyinka is an author, playwright, poet and political activist. His prolific body of work includes debut novel The Interpreters and play Death and the King’s Horseman. Soyinka fought in the Nigerian war of independence and has subsequently been one of greatest critics of the Nigerian government. Twice jailed, he wrote part of his memoir on toilet paper in solitary confinement. A staunch critic of corrupt, authoritarian regimes everywhere, Soyinka destroyed his Green Card when Trump was elected in 2016. He is Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.

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