Book Review
Title: Season of Silences
Author: Daniel Udo
Place of Publication: Uyo
Publishers: Minder International
Publishers
Year of Publication:2000
Number of pages: 121
Price: Not Stated
Reviewer: Ekemini Ekpo (Dept. of Computer Engineering, University of Uyo)
Introduction –
Purpose of the Book
The author,
Mr. Daniel Udo, has done a good job in putting together this great work. His
intent in putting together this book has been to paint a picture of general
societal realities using a very well known scenario, and as characterized in
the book. Season
of
Silences, is a profound statement on contemporary sociopolitical reality.
The traveling image demonstrates Nigeria’s experience in her journey to
Utopia. It is a clarion call to national awakening on print.
Content
The book, “Season of Silences” is a one
hundred and twenty-one portable work of prose well articulated to fit into
current societal trends. Its is a literary piece broken up into six, well
jointed sections or chapters, all of which carries a complete meaning. Among
other themes discussed in the book are hard work, perseverance,
incorruptibility, and a reward for excellence. Its content organization as we
shall soon see, buttress this facts.
Organization
of Contents
The first
chapter discusses the pre-transit escapades common to typical Nigerian Motor
parks. Here is a case in point, set in
the notorious Lagos bus terminus where the author replays the typical obscure
lifes of motorpark touts named here as, “agbero”.
in the discussion, the past life of both the agbero one of the passengers is revealed, together with an
eye-opener on the bizarre attitude of Nigerian armed men to their unarmed
countrymen.
Also told is
the story of “Afangideh”, as the vehicle
begins to take its course. Again, the story of an uncompromising, resolute is
being told; who thinks he has what it takes to stem corruption, especially in
the public service. But he has to quit, and just before the chapter comes full
circle, a flashback on his past life is done, and the aftermaths of
extra-marital relationships, expounded.
In the second
chapter, the commercial vehicle has begun its journey. The peculiar situation
of Nigerian drivers on drinking while on
the move as well as poor vehicle maintenance is expatiated by the author. Again, the unethical and deceptive schemes of
crude elements of khakhimen is again
expounded; a supposedly friend has suddenly turned a foe. The author pauses at
intervals to flashback on the history of one of the vehicle occupants,
“Afangideh”. His family history is rehearsed, alongside his culture and
ancestry. This is just a flashback; an inquiry into the state of affairs of a
passenger in transit.
Chapter three
is an extension of the previous chapter where a detailed flashback is given on
Afangideh’s cousin , “Akan”. It is a tale of the latter’s travail in the hands
of an unsuspecting syndicate, and his adventure in the world of fishing, as a
child. It is a flashback on prior to the latter’s decision on waking up to
contact his cousin, and also seek employment. The author narrates the wandering
of the mind of the young man from his many experiences at sea, home, school and
church.
The bus has now come to a temporary halt
and some of the passengers have disembarked.
Here in chapter four, the author describes Afangideh’s activities at the motor park prior to his new workplace and his meeting with Ugomma his fiancée , “Fred” his cousin, and their interactions. The chapter concludes with an insight into Afangideh’s next day job schedule.
Here in chapter four, the author describes Afangideh’s activities at the motor park prior to his new workplace and his meeting with Ugomma his fiancée , “Fred” his cousin, and their interactions. The chapter concludes with an insight into Afangideh’s next day job schedule.
Chapter five discusses the escapades
that transpired between the applicant and the employer. The scheme is aborted, and now, patience has
become the final resolution for a formidable actualization of something
tangible.
The situation of the bus has grown from
worse to worst, so some of the passengers have to disembark. As things evolved,
Afangideh had to be offered a new vehicle which later conveyed him and his
cohorts to their place of appointments. Albeit the attempt to manipulate their
chance, their case could not be different. . . . its been a comely dream.
Evaluation
From the front cover, I see a very well
set work of art in clear, captivating paperback of high quality. The author
also deserves credits for the design of the cover, which is not only appealing,
but to a large extent, makes the message the book sets out to pass across very
plain. The size of the book is also encouraging for the purpose it is meant to
serve, while the use of high quality print material, good margin presentation
and a maintenance of coherence in the presentation of facts is quite
commendable.
These being the case however, I would like to draw the author’s attention to
few errors in typos on some pages in the book. These are visible on pages
twenty-seven (27) paragraph three (3), line four (4) and on page ninety-one
(91) paragraph two (2). It is highly recommended that the author takes this
into cognizance in his next production, and offer a more well revised edition
in his next work.
Conclusion
In spite of the few aforementioned ignorable,
seemingly imperfections, this book has indeed served its rightful purpose. It
has at least shown that if one works hard, shuns corruption and maintains
integrity, there is always a reward both in the now and in the hereafter.
Recommendation
I strongly recommend this book to the
general reading public for addressing the many socio-political imbalances in
our national life, and to the Nigerian education system in particular for use
as a reader in all facets of education especially for young and the
young-in-heart.
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