Book Review
Title: Mercy
Author: Ita Mbaba
Place of Publication:
Port Harcourt
Publishers: Salem Books
(An imprint of Midcourse Limited (RC306944))
Year of Publication:
2009
Number of pages: Viii +
105 = 113
Price: Not Stated
Reviewer: *De Kemcy* [please replace this with your name]
Introduction –
Purpose of the Book
“Mercy” is a concrete literary art piece that
can best be described as a comely dream realised and also, quite a timely
companion at times such as this in the critical life of our nation. It is a
story that vividly represents a true life situation of things in evolution in
the life of the average man living in a euphoried nation such as ours. The book
is meant to serve as not just a material of instruction, but also a tool for
wading the many
insanities in a developing nation bundled in the lethal web of
corruption and brutal malpractices. It also seeks to encourage hard work,
resilience, perseverance and absolute reliance in the power of the almighty,
hence the theme, “MERCY”; as characterized by the life of the hero here, “Ufan”.
This is well encapsulated in the styling
of its content, arrangement of facts and presentation and/or preservation of
both the ideas and the theme to reflect the true reward of well articulated
adventurous life of a young man in transit, under divinely directed “MERCY”,
and a call for its emulation by all.
Content
This book has
been well styled and its template put across coherently. The facts which blends
with the storyline have all been well arranged into a series of seven chapters,
preceded by an introductory note. The author has done a good job by maintaining
balance in the linkages of chapters, each of which well articulates into
another, keeping the theme intact. While the opening chapters are basically
imprints by the author as flashbacks, the third chapter brings the hero of the story into the fore,
followed by another set of flashbacks by
the author before the hero, “Ufan”, reappears in the concluding chapter
together with wife, “Mercy” and friend.
The story of
“Ufan” and his many expendables may well
be understood if well delve a bit into the organization of the book’s contents
where a more engaging assessment may be required.
Organization
of Contents
As the
preceding section shows, the book, “Mercy” is a portable handheld literary
fiction well organized into a set of well connected chapters, seven in number;
but preceded apart from the cover page, by a copyright page, a “dedication” and
an “Introduction”. The Introduction is a five (5) page account that puts in
summary the theme of the book, in the which the title of the book, “mercy” has
been said to be an “. . .apt and an appreciation of the manifold mercies Ufan
enjoyed at different levels and times in his eventful life (sic)”
The first
chapter exposes the eventful life of the hero, “Ufan”. It is a flashback that
recounts the past life of an adventurer whose search for employment has had to
put him through the many travails common to an average applicant and/or school
leaver of contemporary times in our nation. But in his die-hard adventure, he
has learnt perseverance, disbanded corruption, made life-long decisions and
finally enjoyed the “Mercy” of God. These are all flashbacks as “Ufan” delves into
exhaustive thoughts in his private chambers after and ruminates on his many bitter-sweet
post-Secondary Education experiences. This is a narrative by the Author.
In the second
chapter, the author has been able to stylishly enjoin the concluding part of
the first, in the which an interaction between Ufan and friend, Ekom is
portrayed; in the former’s office. Their discussion has “corruption” as its
central theme including the state of affairs in the nation. The chapter comes
full circle with a transit of the duo to Ufan’s home, introducing “Mercy”. This
narrative though done by the author, is purely a real time reflection, not a flashback.
In the chapter
that follows, the author reflects once again, upon Ufan’s past life not as a
flashback though, but indeed an account of the hero’s past love life while
still an undergraduate and after. He has been able to constructively expound
how Ufan maneuvered through his many ordeals in this line and finally, the
circumstances that brought about Mercy, who now is wife to ufan. All these
happens at Ufan’s home in company of his friend, Ekom. It is indeed a story of
blister and bliss.
Chapter four
of the book is a complement of the previous section. Its is actually a
throwback on Ufan’s past life, now as an associate lawyer. It narrates the
circumstances under which he came to secure accommodation, together with his
fiancée, now wife; who played a major role towards its success. In this chapter
we again see how Ufan escapes death by the whiskers, together with Mercy. It
recalls his ordeals in the hands of his landlord coupled by a betrayal of trust
by his fellow learned colleague of the wig and friend, Mike.
Chapter five
is the concluding part of the previous chapter. It exposes the ineptness of the
Nigerian judiciary, the corruptibility of the Police force(ad portrayed by Mr.
Ndehe the Police D.C.O, an erstwhile friend of ufan), and the rascal and brutal
behavior of typical Nigerian House owners. The chapter concludes with Ufan’s
escape from death, as meted by his landlord, Mr Akan Edem, the customs’
officer.
While the discussion ensues between the trio
of Ufan, his friend, and wife, the author tries in the next chapter that
followed to uncover the source of the landlord’s income, goes ahead to narrate
his plot (together with his cohorts and as aided by the police D.C.O) to nail
Ufan, which were after all counterproductive in the long run. But the case
could not linger anymore as the Police IPO, Commissioner and the DCO came to
the rescue and it was “killed”
Chapter seven
brings the story full circle, narrating the interaction between the trio,
exchange of pleasantries and a toast to goodwill. This happens at past
midnight. Curtain falls.
Evaluation
While I cannot
categorically pick point any typographical error in print of this book, “Mercy”
I have to quickly add that technically, the book is sound. The lexis and
structure used is quite simplified, the grammatical expressions are all
coherent and self-explanatory, while the maintenance of balance between adjoining chapters make the
work not just quite fascinating, but also very comprehensive.
The author
deserves credit for the stylishness of the front and back covers, which are not
just very appealing, but at a glance drives home the message contained in the
well articulated literary piece.
The
portability of the material is also quite commendable; of course it is so sleet
and handy that one can carry it about and enjoy reading at one’s own
convenience repeatedly. It fits perfectly into even the back pocket of men’s
trousers, and leaves much space for accommodation of other essentialities in
ladies’ handbags. It is such an irresistible offer that cannot ordinarily be rejected
if presented as a gift; thanks to the high quality print, paper and size used.
However, I would
like the author in his next edition, to consider effecting a correction on page
27 of the book, paragraph three (3), line twelve (12) in “-the Ibo girl. . .”.
It would be more proper, I think, to put it thus “-the Igbo girl. .” in line
with current trends. Also, the
currencies could also be valued according to present day realities, so as to
reflect what is obtainable today and make the book fit into the current trends.
Conclusion
These few weaknesses
notwithstanding, this book has in no small way been able to remind us of our
present as a nation, based on past experiences. It is a clarion call for all
and sundry to rise up and emulate the good and encouraging example set by Ufan,
shun malpractices of all types and levels, hoping on God for “Mercy”.
Recommendation
I strongly
recommend this book to the reading public in general as a tool for National
Progress, to the education sector as an instructional material in general, and
for particular use in the Pre-primary and Post-primary cadre of education, due
to its simplistic presentation of facts. It is indeed an inevitable companion,
anywhere, anytime.
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This book review job nicely done. Actually after reading this review reader will be inspire to read this book, just like me. Looking forward to it.
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