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    The Fishermen: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2015
    Unavailable
    The Fishermen: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2015
    Unavailable
    The Fishermen: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2015
    Ebook338 pages5 hours

    The Fishermen: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2015

    By Chigozie Obioma

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2015 MAN BOOKER PRIZE

    In this dazzling debut novel, four young brothers in a small Nigerian town encounter a madman, whose prophecy of violence threatens the core of their family

    Told from the point of view of nine-year-old Benjamin, the youngest of four brothers, The Fishermen is the Cain and Abel-esque story of an unforgettable childhood in 1990s Nigeria. When their father has to travel to a distant city for work, the brothers take advantage of his extended absence to skip school and go fishing. At the forbidden nearby river they encounter a madman, who predicts that one of the brothers will kill another. What happens next is an almost mythic event whose impact - both tragic and redemptive - will transcend the lives and imaginations of both its characters and its readers. Chigozie Obioma emerges as one of the best new voices of modern African literature, echoing its older generation's masterful storytelling with a contemporary fearlessness and purpose.

    'Obioma's beautiful, quasi-biblical allegory-like debut... is set to be one of the novels of the year' Eileen Battersby, Irish Times

    'A startling debut... auspicious... leaps off the pages' Mariella Frostrup, Open Book

    'A striking, controlled and masterfully taut debut... The tale has a timeless quality that renders it almost allegorical and it is the more powerful for it' FT

    'It's like being in a Zola or Theodore Dreiser novel... The Fishermen is an elegy to lost promise… and yet it remains hopeful about the redemptive possibilities of a new generation' Guardian

    'Awesome in the true sense of the word... a truly magnificent debut' Eleanor Catton, author of The Luminaries

    'Suffused with an air of legend and the supernatural... The Fishermen establishes Obioma as a writer to be taken seriously... ingenious, subtle, ambitious and intriguing' TLS

    'Terrific' Irish Examiner

    'Full of deceptive simplicity, lyrical language and playful Igbo mythology and humour... an impressive and beautifully imagined work' Economist'A novel with an intimate canvas but also an undercurrent of something larger, more primal' We Love This Book

    'A debut that is packed with power and tragedy' Shortlist

    'Chigozie Obioma truly is the heir to Chinua Achebe' The New York Times

    'Mr Obioma's long-limbed and elegant writing is shot through with strikingly elevated phrasings… its lessons may be slippery, but its power is unmistakable' Wall Street Journal

    'The most frustrating thing about The Fishermen is that the author has no other books for the reader to devour once the final page is reached' Chicago Tribune

    'Searing, incandescent' Harvard Crimson

    'Succeeds as a convincing modern narrative and as a majestic reimagining of timeless folklore' Publisher's Weekly, Starred review

    'A powerful, haunting tale of grief, healing, and sibling loyalty' Kirkus

    'Darkly mythic... a kind of African Cormac McCarthy' USA Today

    '[A] confident début novel... frank and lyrical' New Yorker
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPushkin Press
    Release dateFeb 26, 2015
    ISBN9780992918255
    Unavailable
    The Fishermen: Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2015
    Author

    Chigozie Obioma

    Chigozie Obioma nació en Akure, Nigeria, en 1986. Sus relatos han aparecido en Virginia Quarterly Review y New Madrid. En otoño de 2012 obtuvo una residencia en el OMI International Arts Center en Nueva York. Tras vivir en Chipre y Turquía, en la actualidad reside en los Estados Unidos, donde da clases en la Universidad de Nebraska-Lincoln. Los pescadores, su primera novela, ha sido finalista para el premio Booker de Ficción 2015 y está siendo traducida a más de una veintena de idiomas.

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    Reviews for The Fishermen

    4/5

    282 ratings32 reviews

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    • 3/5
      Won in a Goodreads Giveaway!

      Very powerful story. I am always fascinated by the way children (well and adults) choose to react to superstitions/prophecies. The four main characters in this story were all well developed and had their own voices. Heartbreaking an avoidable occurrences make this a page turner. I will keep my eye out for more books by Obioma.
    • 4/5
      This book is magical, the story is created little by litter by the comparison to animals, the descriptions are almost magic. The book almost demands you to read it from beginning to end in just a couple of seats (and that is what I did) . It has magic it has a great narration and the story develops in surprising ways....
    • 4/5
      I listened to the audiobook of this novel, read by Chukudi Iwuji, who did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. The tale of four brothers is a story of tragedy, which begets more tragedy, and is set in Nigeria in the late twentieth century. The prose is rich and full of imagery. It is unsurprising that this debut novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
    • 4/5
      Haunting story of 4 brothers and their brotherhood that leads from one tragedy to the next. Vivid picture of life in Nigeria.
    • 4/5
      This is not a book that I would normally have chosen to read, but it was picked for our book group, and I am very glad that it was. It tells us a lot about Nigerian post-independence politics, but in a very clever way through the eyes of an ten year old boy, who is sucked into a tragedy of Greek or Shakespearean proportions. It deftly interweaves tribal feelings and history with western orientated ambitions; with the family patriarch's ambitions for his children being washed away by the town's river. Highly recommended!
    • 4/5
      "The Fishermen" is a fascinating story of young boys whose paths cross with a mysterious man in town who seems to be able to predict the future. They find themselves unable to escape his prophecy, and their lives change as a result. To me, this was an excellent tale about Western influence in Africa, suggesting that no matter how Christian or modern society may seem, there is a character to Nigeria's past that she can not escape from. Obioma manages to tell his story without being heavy-handed; he captures the voice of his young characters well, and their experiences draw the reader in. I typically care more about a novel's writing technique, symbolism, and intended message than I do about believing that the characters are real people. In this book, both mattered, and both hooked me. I look forward to reading more from this promising author.
    • 3/5
      The Fishermen is the story of brothers growing up in Nigeria in the 1990s. A neighborhood madman makes a prophecy about one of the brothers, and their lives are forever changed. Obioma is obviously a very talented writer, and the prose is for the most part engaging. I found at times it was almost a little overwritten, with too many metaphors that didn't exactly work and sentences that were more complex than they needed to be.I appreciated that fact that while this novel took place in Nigeria amidst political turmoil, it wasn't about that. While the political situation was mentioned, the book was primarily a story about the brothers and their relationships to one another. The novel was told from the point of view of the youngest brother, recalling his childhood as an adult. I thought the author did a good job with this format, combining the innocence of a child narrator with the wisdom given by time. 3.5 stars
    • 5/5
      The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma has a captivating premise: four brothers are given a prophecy from a local madman that the eldest will die at the hands of one of his brothers.The impact of this prophecy on each of the brothers and their family is the essence of the novel, and it held me spellbound the entire time.Set in Nigeria in the 1990s, Obioma creates such a strong sense of place, and such a feeling of impending doom that you just have to keep on reading. The youngest of the brothers Ben is the narrator, and while I could sense a tragedy was imminent, it does raise the question about whether the madman can see the future or whether the brothers will bring about the prophecy themselves by believing it to be true.The backdrop to the story of the brothers and their family is the political environment of Nigeria, and can be read as an allegory of what the British did to Nigeria.The boys are raised on a concoction of Christianity and superstition and I loved the character of Ben's mother immensely. A fierce matriach, Ben sees her as a falconer: "the one who stood on the hills and watched, trying to stave off whatever ill she perceived was coming to her children." Page 95The writing is terribly moving and the relationships between the brothers made my heart ache with joy and sorrow at different times in the book. Ben and his three older brothers are characters who will stay with me for a long time to come.I want to include part of a description of the madman that appears on Page 222, just to demonstrate the power of the writing in The Fishermen:"He reeked of sweat accumulated inside the dense growth of hair around his pubic regions and armpits. He smelt of rotten food, and unhealed wounds and pus, and of bodily fluids and wastes. He was redolent of rusting metals, putrefying matter, old clothes, ditched underwear he sometimes wore. He smelt, too, of leaves, creepers, decaying mangoes by the Omi-Ala, the sand of the riverbank, and even of the water itself. He had the smell of banana trees and guava trees, of the Harmattan dust, of trashed clothes in the large bin behind the tailor's shop, of leftover meat at the open abattoir in the town, of leftover things devoured by vultures, of used condoms from the La Room motel, of sewage water and filth, of semen from the ejaculations he'd spilled on himself every time he'd masturbated, of vaginal fluids, of dried mucus. But these were not all; he smelt of immaterial things. He smelt of the broken lives of others, and of the stillness in their souls. He smelt of unknown things, of strange elements, and of fearsome and forgotten things. He smelt of death."This description gave me shivers, and I was completely transported by this literary novel with touches of magical realism. (Having been to Kenya a few years ago, the descriptions of their small town in Nigeria seemed so real to me, I just wanted to go there and hug Ben).The Fishermen has been longlisted for the 2015 Man Booker Prize and I really hope it wins. It's definitely one of my Top 5 books for 2015, and I think I might have an author crush on Chigozie Obioma.* Copy courtesy of Scribe Publications *
    • 4/5
      I really liked it, but I agree with other reviewers that it is somewhat too simplistic to win the Booker Prize. I think this is a risk that is always run with books where the narrator/main character is a child. It's hard to give a novel narrated by a child a high level of complexity without destroying the voice. I also thought it suffered from pacing problems that I think are associated with it being a debut novel, but not so much I couldn't finish it in two days. I don't think this will be shortlisted, but I liked this book and I'd read more by this author.
    • 4/5
      This novel is set in Akure, Nigeria in 1996 during the military regime of General Sani Abacha, and it is narrated by Benjamin, the fourth child of six in a stable and content Christian Igbo family. The authoritarian head of household works for the Central Bank of Nigeria, and one day he is told that he will be transferred to a branch in a distant city, one which was torn by sectarian violence against the Igbo tribe earlier that year. He decides that it is too dangerous to move the entire family there, so his unhappy wife is left in charge of their five boys and one infant girl in his absence.Despite their parents' pleas to behave themselves and stay away from the Omi-Ala River in town, which for many years had been forsaken by Akure's residents, who believed that it was an evil place populated by ritualists and malicious spirits, the four eldest boys decided to start fishing in the river after school. On one day they encounter the town's madman, Abula, who was feared for his dark but often accurate prognostications about those who crossed his path. After the boys taunt Abula, he casts his eye on the oldest brother, Ikenna, and he tells the boy what his fate will be.From that point forward the lives of Ikenna and the rest of the Agwu family are affected by Abula's dire prophecy, as the family's Christian's faith comes into conflict with long held village beliefs, in a topsy turvy version of Chinua Achebe's classic tale Things Fall Apart.The Fishermen was a well written and enjoyable coming of age story, which would work well as a young adult novel but is a bit too simplistic for the Booker Prize longlist, IMO. It's a worthwhile read, but I'll be very surprised if it is chosen for the shortlist.
    • 5/5
      A haunting, heartbreaking and emotional tale of brotherhood. Beautifully written and rich in culture.
    • 3/5
      The Fishermen are the 4 oldest brothers in a family of 6 children. They live in 1990s Akure, Nigeria (where the author is from, originally). They live in house with a compound, and their father works for the Bank of Nigeria. When he is transferred to a less-safe city a 15-hour drive away, the family stays put while he visits regularly. And it is at that point that the family begins to come apart, as narrated by the youngest of the Fishermen, Ben. The local madman makes a prophecy, and the oldest begins to fear.

      This story illustrates the interesting mix of of religions in Akure: Christianity (of several denominations, the Fishermens' family attends the Assemblies of God Church), Muslim, and an underlying belief in signs, prophecies, and superstition. This book is certainly interesting, but as the mother of teenage boys, I could only relate to the mom in this book, and I felt so much for her. And I could understand her--and I really just wanted all the bad stuff to go away.
    • 3/5
      Initially, this was difficult to get into. I found Ikenna and Boja, the two older brothers, difficult characters to empathise with. I found it easier to understand Obembe and Ben. The writing is very good, and the detail about the political situation in Nigeria in the 1990s that runs in the background was interesting. There was a coldness to the story, though, that made it difficult to empathise with the characters. Maybe because, for me, it describes a very different culture and I had to work to get my head into the same place as the author. It's an interesting, well written book, even a good book, but I didn't find it an amazing one.
    • 4/5
      I found this to be moving story of childhood in Nigeria. The young protagonist battle religion, prophecy of a madman and danger on the streets.
    • 5/5
      I love it so much yeah ! Great book man
    • 5/5
      I so much like how relatable and direct the plot is. Very good work.
    • 5/5
      Funny and moving, i cried at the end
      ??? ???
    • 5/5
      One of the most enthralling books ever written, every turn is unexpected and deeply satisfying.
    • 1/5
      A very negative and gory book. A hopeless read.
    • 5/5
      Holy moly this book is amazing. Obioma has such a powerful and beautiful voice, and the story he weaves is just phenomenal. I felt like I knew Ben and Obembe and Boja and Ikenna, knew what it was like in their house, knew their emotions. The story is heartbreaking but so wonderfully constructed. I give it all the stars!
    • 4/5
      A sort of modern-day Macbeth in which a set of brothers is unraveled by the power of suggestion in a madman's prophecy. Obioma is a very promising young writer, and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant book, had me gripped throughout. A great account of familial ties and the depth of love of parents for their children.
    • 5/5
      Here is a writer, brilliant with his clever words and heart gripping story.
    • 4/5
      This was really good. Well written with solid characters, the story was good but not the strongest part of the book. Worth the read.
    • 5/5
      A very gripping tale. I was unable to put it down. I cried and prayed for the family. I felt like they were my family. Heartbreaking at times but powerful in its delivery and meaning.
    • 4/5
      I quite enjoy Chigozie Obioma's writing. It seems so simple, almost simplistic, but there is such depth to his characters and the events that go on around them, to them and by them. This is essentially a story how a foretold event is brought about because the event that was foretold and then the downward spiral of consequences after that event. A fascinating book. I do have to say I liked his second book, An Orchestra of Minorities, a bit more; which is probably a good thing, he's gaining experience as a writer. I can't wait for his next book.
    • 4/5
      This allegorical novel, based on the biblical story of Cain and Abel, serves as a metaphor for Nigeria in the 1990s, when it was under a military dictatorship and corruption was widespread. The novel is set in the village of Akure and is narrated by 9 year-old Benjamin Agwu. He tells the story of his brothers–Ikenna, Boja and Obe–who become involved tragically with Abulu, a village madman known for the accuracy of his prophesies. Their father is discontented with the Nigerian government but believes that it can be redeemed by education and professionalism. His sons become ensnared, much like fish and people who live under corrupt governments. Obioma uses this mythical tale to explore themes of the random nature of adversity, the human need for revenge, the roles of superstition and paranoia in the acceptance of hardship, and the potential for redemption and escape.This story of how a madman destroys the lives of four innocent boys and their family expresses a dark vision, which is unrelentingly pessimistic. Obioma’s writing is lyrical and quite lovely but the insights and imagery often seem unusually precocious for a 9-year-old narrator. For instance, Ben imagines members of his family as animals: although poetic, these thoughts seem advanced for a boy of his age.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      My favorite of the 2015 Man Booker Prize contenders (barring possibly The Year of the Runaways, of which I was unable to acquire and evaluate), The Fishermen is an engaging tale with the weight of a biblical narrative or the power of mythology. This is the story of brotherhood, first and foremost; Obembe and Ben, Ikenna and Boja: these are stories that seem to follow in the wake of Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Joseph and his brothers.The narrative is simple, but beautifully drawn. The brother characters aren't particularly the most memorable I've come across, but their relationships with one another really add to the story. The most memorable characters are the “antagonists,” played by the imaginations of the brothers, voiced by the local madman. While it is the madman's prophecies that threaten the family, it is each family member's fears and illusions that really begin to tear at the seams. Forming a chain of events that never becomes tiresome, The Fishermen reaches a very satisfying conclusion.Obioma's debut novel tackles several issues—family, mental health, discipline, religion, justice—but at its core it is the story of brotherhood. It's not the most original or epic of stories, but it kept me thoroughly entertained. The Fishermen is a magnificently crafted debut and a thrilling and lyrical fable.
    • 4/5
      The Fishermen: A NovelBy Chigozie ObiomaNarrated by Chukwudi IwujiⓅ 2015, Hachette9 hrs and 51 minsLITERARY FICTIONThe Fishermen is a lif-fic novel set in Nigeria in the mid- to late 1990s, and features four brothers who decide to take up fishing at a nearby river… As innocuous as the premise sounds, that one decision sets off a series of events that underscore pride, loyalty, extreme and graphic violence, superstition, vengeance, and ideas of redemption. You don’t need to know anything about Nigeria to get the setting; but it may be helpful to know that during the time period of the novel, Nigerian politics were extremely corrupt and led to civil unrest.The narrator is Nigerian and reads the text with native cadences, bringing the various characters to life. Of particular note, are the voices given to the father and priest, characters whose voices are delivered with immediacy and heat that reflect the mood and personalities of the characters vividly. Iwuji also reads the textual cues expertly; so when the author writes that a word is stressed a certain way, the narrator actually takes it as direction instead of blowing it off. Iwuji gives a really great performance. There’s a smattering of Igbo (one of four official languages of Nigeria), and the English spoken is based on the Queen’s English (so there are some seemingly odd stresses to words to American ears like “tarpaulin”); but the authenticity of the narration cannot be denied.OTHER: I purchased The Fishermen: A Novel (by Chigozie Obioma; narrated by Chukwudi Iwuji) from audible.com. I receive no monies, goods (beyond the audiobook) or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.
    • 4/5
      My library book club chose this book to read for March 2016 and even though I am not going to attend the meeting where we discuss it I thought I would read it as well. I believe this book was one of the ones on the Man Booker prize short list in 2015. The author was born in Nigeria where this book is set and the entire novel is saturated with the Nigerian countryside.This story is narrated by Benjamin the fourth child of Mr. and Mrs. Agwu who lived in Akure, Nigeria. Mr. Agwu was employed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and when Benjamin was nine years old the bank transferred him to a distant city. The mother and all six children stayed in Akure. The oldest, Ikenna, was the natural leader of the four oldest children who were male. Taking advantage of the father’s absence Ikenna convinced his brothers to go to the Omi-Ala River to fish although it was forbidden for anyone to venture there. One day coming back from the river the children encountered the local madman, Abulu. Abulu prophesied a violent death for Ikenna at the hands of a fisherman. Ikenna took this to mean that one of his brothers would kill him. From that time on things went from bad to worse for the Agwu family. This complete transformation is chronicled in detail by Benjamin.In a way this book reminded me of a Dickens novel or perhaps a work by Thomas Hardy given the feeling of doom that pervades it. That is high praise from me because Dickens and Hardy are some of my favourite writers. It is rather a strange fancy because this book is so obviously not set in England but the details of Nigeria are rendered as completely as England is in Hardy’s and Dickens’ books. Mind you, this is a first novel so there are a few flaws such as some unnecessary characters and plot details, so it isn’t a great work. However, I fully expect that in years to come Chigozie Obioma will write some amazing novels. Also a word of caution: the details are not always for the faint of heart.