Ben Okri, Astonishing The Gods

158 page paperback 1999This being my second ben okri offering, i was really looking forward to reading this. It's a very short book, punctuated with page long chapters which often rob you of the next page for the want of connecting a few sentences. I soon realised that i was zipping through the book with little hint of any controlling idea, something that distracts me all too often, fearing a poorly written composition or real lack of story. This book certainly falls down on depth of plot. The main character explains his search for personal fulfillment, open to all the realms of life and spirituality, leading to a trance-like journey into an invisible world forged around his existence. The Author paints a very lucid and imaginative world for the character, which sadly appears to overpower everything else. It becomes clear that the book hasn't been written to offer philosophical or spiritual enlightenment through story, but to showcase the nature of the author's writing power, as for the most part it is a beautiful piece of text. It is, however, a lousy piece of story, which left me rather annoyed as a reader. It's bitty composition and overly repetitive descriptions left me exasperated, enough at least to stop me becoming too involved with the book. Having said that, if i'm permitted to re-pigeonhole the book, i am willing to accept it as a short book that shows off the grace and creativity of Ben Okri's writing. Despite it's final form, it still has the feel of a piece of poetry, and i'm quite happy to recommend it on that basis. Hardened story lovers will be sorely disappointed i feel. Worth a read if you want something light and graceful.