Cyprian Ekwensi is the outstanding chronicler of Nigerian city life. In this collection of his short stories, all the excitement and urgency as well as the seediness and disillusion that make up the world of the Hotel France, the Harlem, Marine Beach, and the Kano Limited are contained. Characters like Fussy Joe, Jagua, Nancy of the Grand Palm Hotel, Charlie the Coin-Diver, and the Stranger from Lagos emerge and go their various ways, crushed or triumphant after their brush with the hard, bright city. All the bustle, gaiety, and hectic action are put into perspective by the controlled economy of Ekwensi’s writing. This is a splendid collection of stories to read and treasure.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CYPRIAN EKWENSI was born in Minna in Northern Nigeria in 1921 and educated in Ibadan, Ghana and London. He taught Biology and Chemistry in Nigeria before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation where he became Head of Features and later rose to the position of Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Information in Lagos. He has published several novels, among them jagua nana, People of the City and Beautiful Feathers, and many short stories and articles in journals.

CATEGORY
Ficition/AFRICA