Book review | Igoni Barrett’s "From Caves of Rotten Teeth"
Book: From Caves of Rotten Teeth
Author: A. Igoni Barrett
Publisher: Daylight Media Ltd. 2005
Reviewer: Nana Sule
From
Caves of Rotten Teeth (Short Stories)
There
are fourteen stories in this book. What each story does is not to immerse the
reader in a world where he is marveled by some artistry, but to help the reader
recognize their self in them.
The
stories explore adultery, unemployment, poverty, violence and the everyday
circumstances that can arise from living in Nigeria at this time. Although set
in 2005, these stories are more a reflection of how sadly, as a nation, the
country is still flying on sore wings.
While
each story is written with careful narration, simple sentences and matching
metaphors, They
would be Swine is the one that hits home. Never had the Nigerian Police
checkpoints and the simple waste of time and domineering nature of armed men
been better portrayed. There, in that one narration, lay the summation of all
that is wrong with a country. Yet if finding a child’s head at a police
checkpoint doesn’t push you to read this book, you may perhaps be interested in
what hunger does to Godiya as she breaks whatever virtue she holds dear to
ensure food on her table in Domination.
Yet
these aren’t why the stories in From Caves of Rotten Teeth
stand out, it is because they are such sad stories written so beautifully, it makes
terrible things seem so good. The Authors’ portrayal of Nigeria truly feels like
it is a nation caught in jaws that are indeed rotting.
However,
one little disappointment was the fact that the only story that truly explored
a northern setting was, as expected narrated in the warm voice of a six-year
old girl making a livelihood off strangers on the street. Perhaps there would
one day be stories from the north where we don’t get to read as much
stereotypes. Yet, giving the time this was written, perhaps it was a necessity,
and perhaps it still is.
A.
Igoni Barett has written two books after this; Blackass being one that has made him most recognizable amongst
readers for its interesting plot. Yet his journey started with short stories
and a BBC World Service Short Story Competition with The Phoenix; one of the fourteen in this collection. He has since
been recognized at different times and platforms for his mastery with words.
From
Caves of Rotten Teeth is
one book that should be in your shelf and in your heart.
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Nana Sule is a contributing writer at The Arts-Muse Fair. An Environmental enthusiast, her writings have appeared in blogs. She is the Coordinator of the Minna Book Club and tweets @izesule.
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