It's personal, religious, immersive. Sometimes it's not what you do but what is done to you that defines your heart and your experience. You'll be plunged into the world of war, family, and the dreams and hopes of Kunle and his friends.

You'll be captured by the descriptions and conversations. You'll be immersed in the hardships of combat and the deprivation of normal life.

I recommend this gripping novel if you are interested in culture. You'll be challenged by an insider's view of modern Nigerian life in times of conflict and opposition.

Kunte is a shy studious Nigerian student in the late 60's. He is engulfed with guilt over mistakes he believes he made with his family which manifests when his brother disappears during the civil war. Embarking on a journey to find him, he ends up in the army of Biafra, conscripted to fight for those who are trying to set up a country free of NIgeria. It's a journey, a long treacherous tale that is unequivocally fantastic prose.

This is a must read novel written by one of the new writers of this generation. Much like a gripping biopic on television, you will never forget reading this book and it will be touchstone for you when thinking about cultures in Africa. It is truly a masterpiece. #randomhouse #theroadtothecountry #chigozeobioma

“There will be laughter and tears, remembrance and forgetting, pride and shame, silence and noise”

Wow. This was a heartbreaking and graphic tale of Kunle’s life in the Biafran war. This was a dark and heavy read, but so worth it.

“Before the war, we always want this or that; we always have big dreams, big ambitions. But now our needs have become so small, and our dreams have vanished. What is the hope we have? Just that we survive…that’s it”

We see the graphic descriptions of war and death. Very graphic. I had to take breaks from reading this at times because of how visceral the imagery was. That said, I think it’s important to read about the terror and reality of war. While this is considered fiction, it seems to be based in the truth of the real Biafran war. I’m astonished at the brutality of the scenes Obioma wrote throughout this book. It had me sick to my stomach, and I can only imagine what the reality of these sights could do to a person. This was a dense read, and very serious.
It’s heartbreaking to know that terrors like this actually occurred. I can’t imagine how terrifying and awful it was, and how it would have impacted people on both sides so deeply.

“They have seen so much, and they will see yet more. They must learn to withstand what they have seen, to adapt. If it shocks you, then it can haunt you; if it haunts you, it can damage you”

We follow Kunle through his journey of trying to find his brother, where he gets swept up into the Biafran army. This is his story of love, loss, betrayal, and discovery. This perspective is sandwiched in between the visions of the seer, sprinkled with details of African folklore (which I struggled to understand at first, but would love to learn more about now).

“Life is like earth, soil - you never know what you will dig up” chapter 30

This was an incredible, poetic, and realistic read. I was crying by the end of it. I wholeheartedly recommend this to everyone, just be wary of your limitations for gore.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Chigozie Obioma for the ARC. I’m honoured to have been able to read this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Hogarth for providing me with an advance e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Look for it in your local and online bookstores and libraries on June 4, 2024.

A quaking and powerful read that you must not miss!

A story of brotherhood, of war, of redemption… this was incredible. With visceral imagery, incredible writing and devastating events happening at every turn, this book truly packs a punch.

With a stunning mix of brutal reality and sweeping folklore, we follow Kunle as he searches for his brother, gets caught up in a war and learns things about himself he never imagined.

This is a denser, much more serious book than I was envisioning, but I was blown away! This is a MUST READ!