It’s always nice to see readers comment on literature with a level of insight and nuance that seasoned literary scholars couldn’t muster in their wildest dream.
Twitter user @ILoveArmani has had everyone talking with a series of tweets classifying writers according to how they represent Nigeria in fiction. The observations are pretty on point and quite perceptive.
You may not agree with all the observations, but they bring up questions about writers imagining the continent differently. If nothing, at least, it shows us that there are as many Nigerias in fiction as there are writers.
Check out the tweets.
Tomi Adeyemi ‘incorporates’ Nigeria into her writing like someone that just started liking Nigeria cuz its cool to, and knows how to greet in yoruba but usually tells her American friends ‘I know how to speak some Nigerian’.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Nnedi ‘incorporates’ Nigeria into her writing like someone whose parents spoke igbo to at home and knows their family history but barely met any other Nigerians. Visited Nigeria 3x before 21, for their grandfathers funeral, an uncles wedding and for christmas when they were 6.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Tade Thompson writes Nigeria like someone who was born in London, surrounded by a huge Nigerian community, and got sent back to attend Kings College for Secondary. Has barely come back since then though.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Y’all tell me some writers and I’ll do theirs, I had a list but my memory is 💀. (preferably SF/Fantasy or diaspora based, but shit I’ll do anyone 😂)
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Chigozie Obioma writes Nigeria like someone whose parents never allowed to have friends talk more of having them over, swore they were different bc they liked alt rock and manga, moved abroad for Uni and only befriended YTs. Hated ACS and afrobeats but uses Naij for clout.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Suyi Davies writes Nigeria like that person who always drew comics in their notebooks but could bust all the latest dance moves, rapped a lil too. Finally moved to Unilag for Uni where they found their tribe probably from a less hype town like Ibadan or Benin.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Dare Segun Falowo writes like that mythical kid that everyone loved who appeared on the playground once in a blue moon when they came to visit their well respected grandmother. Usually taught everyone the witchy games, and parents were constantly worried that they were possessed.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Oyinkan Braithwaite writes Nigeria like someone who lived in the GRA, but visited their family house in Ikorodu on weekends. Wrote love poems & short stories in their journal but was too shy to share. Prefect, finished secondary at 15. Moved back for NYSC immediately after Uni.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Chimamanda writes like the one who assumed first born responsibilities when the fb went to Uni. Knows all the family gist because she hangs out with the grandparents and aunties. Didn’t have an awkward teenage phase. Everyone had a crush on her. Been an excellent writer since 13.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
Akwaeke Emezie writes Nigeria like someone who lived in an in between state like Enugu, in a house with many trees. Probably ran into Madam Koin-koin on a random midnight in JS3 but they just sat down and had a conversation.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 26, 2020
Donald Ekpeki Oghenechovwe writes like someone that grew up in a small city. All the used book dealers had their number. Wrote stories that their classmates queued to read. Entered every writing competition in secondary and won many. Lit Club president, best in Lit.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
TJ Benson writes like someone who moved around a lot but found stability in boarding school. Uniform was always neat, right shoes, and always had a math set so teachers assumed they were good… till they saw them dancing in social night. First serious writing was erotic SF.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
Teju Cole writes Nigeria like that cool Uncle who lives abroad but somehow has all the connects in Naij. Your mum says he lived in Lagos till his late teens,went abroad every summer, his family threw the best parties. Started reading seriously to impress an oyinbo babe in Uni.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
Uzodinma Iweala writes Nigeria like someone who visited every Christmas, travelled by road a few times but with a security convoy. Loves Nigeria but is still afraid they’d get kidnapped if they go out without the driver. Feels more comfortable as a Nigerian, abroad.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
Helon Habila writes Nigeria like that person that doesn’t tell you they plan to leave. They just visit you one Saturday and tell you their PR has been approved and they’re leaving for Canada the next morning. They were definitely banned from speaking Hausa at home at a point.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 27, 2020
Leslie Nneka Arimah writes like the youngest aunt who all the elders are ‘afraid’ of, and everyone in the fam is in awe of. Rarely gets involved in family drama but always stands up for the weaker person. Fave of the teens. Rarely cooks, but makes a wicked jollof when she does.
— suzie. (@lLoveArmani) February 28, 2020
PS: Dear writers, readers are watching and they are judging you!
COMMENTS -
Reader Interactions