The Famished Road

THE FAMISHED ROAD

by Ben Okri

 

Award: Booker Winner 1991

 

Date Read: September 19, 2020

 

I wanted so very much to enjoy this book but I found all 511 pages excruciating. I tend to actually like Magical Realism but for some reason, page after page, humans kept turning into animals or spirits, Azaro’s father is unhinged (yet again), and, wait for it, there’s yet another riot or party gone out of control. 

 

After the first few pages, I was enthralled as Okri described Azaro in the spirit world and how difficult it is to agree to become incarnate. Trust me, I understand. This world is full of pain, injustice, despair, hate. But there is also beauty and love and moments of magnificence that make it all worthwhile.

 

I found the way the people here treated one another, particularly children appalling. Rarely did these characters offer each other compassion or even basic love. There wasn’t much for me to embrace and perhaps that’s the biggest problem. I want to hug this book and then place it gently on the shelf, never to be disturbed again.

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