Nigerians in Space
Deji Bryce Olukotun
(Author)
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
1993. Houston. Dr. Wale Olufunmi, lunar rock geologist, has a life most Nigerian immigrants would kill for, but then most Nigerians aren't Wale--a great scientific mind in exile with galactic ambitions. Then comes an outlandish order: steal a piece of the moon. With both personal and national glory at stake, Wale manages to pull off the near impossible, setting out on a journey back to Nigeria that leads anywhere but home. Compelled by Wale's impulsive act, Nigerians traces arcs in time and space from Houston to Stockholm, from Cape Town to Bulawayo, picking up on the intersecting lives of a South African abalone smuggler, a freedom fighter's young daughter, and Wale's own ambitious son. Deji Olukotun's debut novel defies categorization--a story of international intrigue that tackles deeper questions about exile, identity, and the need to answer an elusive question: what exactly is brain gain?
Product Details
Price
$16.99
$15.80
Publisher
Unnamed Press
Publish Date
February 01, 2014
Pages
296
Dimensions
5.2 X 8.0 X 0.8 inches | 0.7 pounds
Language
English
Type
Paperback
EAN/UPC
9781939419019
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About the Author
Deji Bryce Olukotun is the author of two novels and his fiction has appeared in five different book collections. His novel After the Flare won the 2018 Philip K. Dick special citation award, and was chosen as one of the best books of 2017 by The Guardian, The Washington Post, Syfy.com, Tor.com, Kirkus Reviews, among others. His novel Nigerians in Space, a thriller about brain drain from Africa, was published by Unnamed Press in 2014. He is currently the Head of Social Impact at the audio technology company Sonos and a Future Tense Fellow at New America.
Reviews
"An exquisite blend of unpredictable twists and lightening-speed plot."
--The Guardian "A madcap first novel that unravels like a spy thriller."
--Mark Haskell Smith, Flavorwire "Deji Olukotun's novel Nigerians in Space is an impressive debut, a literary thriller that also deftly explores themes of the African diaspora."
--David Gutowski, Largehearted Boy "Fast-paced, well-written and packed with insight and humor. Olukotun is a very talented storyteller. "
--Charles Yu, National Book Award 5-Under-35 winner and author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe "A deft mingling of satirical humor, Noirish twists...and a keen-eyed yet accessible take on cultural displacement in contemporary times. "
--Olufemi Terry, winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing "You can taste Cape Town, you can hear it in the dialogue, see its beauty in the descriptions. Deji Olukotun has my city's number: especially its nasty underbelly, the dangerous dealing of abalone poachers. "
--Mike Nicol, author of the Revenge Trilogy "A transnational mystery novel replete with assassins, abalone poaching and an international fashion model who exudes light from her skin."
--Matt McGregor, Warscapes "A crime thriller that is out of this world."
--Samantha Lim, The Brooklyn Paper "Nigerians in Space captures the cocksure attitude and dignified clip of the 1950s radio play, with more mischievous and macabre elements that reflect the frustration of anti-colonial and Pan-African politics."
--Megan Eardley, Africa is a Country "The book is a must read."
--Dianah Ninsiima, Africa Book Club "At turns enthralling, funny and sometimes heart-rending -- a rollicking and smart book from a talented new voice."
--Darren S., Rare Books Expert at The Strand
--The Guardian "A madcap first novel that unravels like a spy thriller."
--Mark Haskell Smith, Flavorwire "Deji Olukotun's novel Nigerians in Space is an impressive debut, a literary thriller that also deftly explores themes of the African diaspora."
--David Gutowski, Largehearted Boy "Fast-paced, well-written and packed with insight and humor. Olukotun is a very talented storyteller. "
--Charles Yu, National Book Award 5-Under-35 winner and author of How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe "A deft mingling of satirical humor, Noirish twists...and a keen-eyed yet accessible take on cultural displacement in contemporary times. "
--Olufemi Terry, winner of the Caine Prize for African Writing "You can taste Cape Town, you can hear it in the dialogue, see its beauty in the descriptions. Deji Olukotun has my city's number: especially its nasty underbelly, the dangerous dealing of abalone poachers. "
--Mike Nicol, author of the Revenge Trilogy "A transnational mystery novel replete with assassins, abalone poaching and an international fashion model who exudes light from her skin."
--Matt McGregor, Warscapes "A crime thriller that is out of this world."
--Samantha Lim, The Brooklyn Paper "Nigerians in Space captures the cocksure attitude and dignified clip of the 1950s radio play, with more mischievous and macabre elements that reflect the frustration of anti-colonial and Pan-African politics."
--Megan Eardley, Africa is a Country "The book is a must read."
--Dianah Ninsiima, Africa Book Club "At turns enthralling, funny and sometimes heart-rending -- a rollicking and smart book from a talented new voice."
--Darren S., Rare Books Expert at The Strand
