Major Investment Opportunity

This remarkably accomplished debut novel is one of the most surprising reads of my year so far.  I met the author, who has self-published this book, after Clare Christian invited her into the office for a chat.  She was gorgeous, witty and razor sharp and so full of enthusiasm for her work that I thought I'd make an effort and read a bit, fully expecting to chug through fifty pages and then politely put it to one side. 

How wrong I was.  It is a blinder.  Time vanishes when you read it.  I would pick it up intending to whiz through a few pages and the next thing I'd know an hour or two had gone by.

So what is it about, Scott?  Good question.  Imagine This by Sade Adeniran is a coming of age novel set in Nigeria during the 70s and 80s.  Naturally this would make the book a banker for the Orange shortlist, acres of review coverage and some lovely photo features in the Sunday supplements if it were published by Faber or Cape or Bloomsbury, but as it is a self-published novel it has not had a sniff of any of these things.  In fact, one literary editor of a national broadsheet told the author that he would not review her book as he had 'filled his quota' of small publishers.  Clearly he isn't interested in actually reviewing exciting new fiction from unknown authors, preferring instead books written by his mates or the small publisher who publishes his books.  (Did I say that out loud?).

Lola Ogunwole was born in England to Nigerian parents.  Her mother abandons the family when she is just a baby and she ends up in foster care, along with her brother, until she is reclaimed by her father and taken back to Nigeria at the age of nine.  This is where we join the story, with Lola's entries in her diary making up the entire narrative.  We follow Lola's life right up until she turns twenty and see her passed from pillar to post, between uncles, aunts, cousins and grandparents as she struggles to find her identity in an environment where no one seems to want her.

Adeniran is wonderful at the coming of age stuff.  Her writing about growing up is first class, especially when it comes to Lola's adolescence.  I knew bugger all about Nigeria but she weaves in historical events and, more importantly, the reaction of ordinary Nigerians to those events, with great skill and I am eager to learn more about this African country now that I have finished reading this novel.

I wasn't sure about the diary entry format to start with but any doubts soon evaporated as the story and the narrative voice took over.  Lola is a wonderful creation and one of the most engaging and rewarding narrators it has ever been my pleasure to spend a few days with.  I felt as knocked around by every tragedy and every redemption as she did.  I really cared about this character and that is the sign of a bloody good author.

OK, so this isn't the best book you will ever read, it may not even be the best book you will read this year, but it is a very promising debut and I am willing to bet you anything that Sade goes on to be a major literary success.  All she needs is a few more people to read this book as I have no doubt that the word of mouth will build rapidly and before you know it she will be signed up by some hotshot agent and the major publishers will be writing out a cheque with lots of zeroes in order to snare her.

In the meantime most of the retailers are ignoring the book so your best bet it to buy it direct from the author at her fantastic website as she will sign your copy, and signed copies of this edition will be worth a fortune when she makes it big.

Comments

[David Barnett]

In fact, one literary editor of a national broadsheet told the author that he would not review her book as he had 'filled his quota' of small publishers.

I've had exactly that conversation. I wonder if it was with the same person..?

[Richard]

Why not sign her for TFP Scott?

[Scott Pack]

A fair question Richard. She has done such a good job publishing it herself that I think she deserves a crack at the big money that a major publisher could hand her way. Naturally, if none of them take an interest I will be lurking in the background.

[Sade]

Oh my what a brilliant review. :-) I'm liking the 'She was gorgeous, witty and razor sharp...' especially after having to endure my brother calling me a librarian. lol.

[Jamieson Wolf]

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this book. I did a review of the novel which you can find here

http://thebookpedler.wordpress.com/2007/07/05/imagine-this-by-sade-adeniran/

Or here

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=31450

It's beautiful, heart breaking, wonderful, funny, amazing...I could go on. I haven't fallen in love with a character so quickly befor and I've already read it twice.

If you haven't read the book, DO! It's fantastic!