ANIETIE ISONG

(I didn't take this picture)

I went to an IN CONVERSATION WITH CHIBUNDU ONUZO and ANIETIE ISONG event towards the end of January in Waterstones Piccadilly. I was actually there for the launch of CHIBUNDU's latest novel WELCOME TO LAGOS and was glad to see the event was also supporting the launch of another author's first published book. I bought it to support the cause, it is inspiring to see new authors on the scene getting their work published! It was a short read too so I decided to read it before the book I actually went there for.

In short, this book is about Ifiok, a young journalist who works for a government radio station in Lagos. His weekly radio show gets cancelled because the government abruptly cut the funding so he is exploring other ways to get it financed in a very hectic Nigerian backdrop. His troublesome workmate Boniface encourages him to cheat on his longterm girlfriend with a beautiful intern - behaviour that majority of workers are known to dabble in from the way he speaks - but Ifiok is horrified by the suggestion and tries to maintain a strict business relationship with her... until she comes to his house uninvited to bring him food whilst his girlfriend works late (smh). The story is written in first-person past-tense through Ifiok's point of view and is quite a short story, only 188 pages long. It definitely sheds light on the unethical practise in journalism of accepting a "brown envelope" in exchange for reporting stories. Corruption being rife in Nigeria, I was not surprised.

Towards the end of the novel, he travels to his hometown to make a documentary about a group of ex-militants. Meanwhile his mother and father are getting old and are constantly asking him when he will marry and give them grandchildren...

I wish I had great things to say about RADIO SUNRISE but I don't. I was left uninspired and uninterested by the end of the first few chapters and as I have mentioned before, I appreciate a book that gets to the point quickly and where every chapter adds something: whether that be character development or growth in the plot. There were some parts I read and thought to myself why was that included? Or how is this relevant to the storyline ? ? ? What irked me the most was the fact the main character had a dry personality, was not true to himself and was at the point in his life where proper commitment to his longterm girlfriend was the next step but he was just dulling and for no real reason. Karma does show itself true as the plot unfolds but still... I was bored by then.

I got halfway through and contemplated putting it down... I don't like dropping books midway but after forcing myself to finish this I have realised that life is way too short to finish books I am not enjoying. If I am not gripped by halfway then in my opinion the book is not doing its job.

Wouldn't recommend this book. Brutal but honest. Maybe I am being quite harsh for someone's first published work but after hearing him speak that evening, I felt as though he came across as someone who woke up one random day and decided to write a book hahaha...

I guess that is the beauty of literature. Everyone is free to create and through creating you are able to grow and refine your voice. I wish ISONG all the best with his future writing!


RATING: 2/5

If anyone has read this... I am keen to know your thoughts! Message me or drop me a comment!