Boxing Day Sale is live! Up to 20% off 2000+ Books

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth

'Soyinka's greatest novel'
3.17 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 1,097 ratings, 226 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth by Wole Soyinka is a satirical exploration of modern Nigeria, blending political intrigue with dark comedy. The story navigates a nation teeming with corruption and moral chaos, where human body parts are harvested for rituals. Through the eyes of various characters, the novel unravels a complex web of ideology, power, and ethics, painting a vivid picture of a society striving for redemption amidst profound challenges.
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you relish satirical and profound explorations of societal and political landscapes, this story offers a gripping narrative, full of wit and sharp commentary. With a richly woven tapestry of intrigue and drama, it navigates themes of corruption and identity, inviting readers to reflect on complex cultural and moral dilemmas. Perfect for those who enjoy thought-provoking fiction that blends mystery with social critique.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Soyinka's greatest novel ... No one else can write such a book - Ben Okri

A high-jinks state-of-the-nation novel - Chibundu Onuzo

A FINANCIAL TIMES AND SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR

A towering figure in world literature, Wole Soyinka aims directly at the corridors of power as he warns against corruption both of high office and of the soul, with a dazzling lightness of touch and gleeful irreverence.

Much to Doctor Menka’s horror, some cunning entrepreneur has decided to sell body parts from his hospital for use in ritualistic practices. Already at the end of his tether from the horrors he routinely sees in surgery, he shares this latest development with his oldest college friend, bon viveur, star engineer and Yoruba royal, Duyole Pitan-Payne, who has never before met a puzzle he couldn’t solve. Neither realise how close the enemy is, nor how powerful.

Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth is at once a savagely witty whodunit, a scathing indictment of Nigeria’s political elite, and a provocative call to arms from one of the country’s most relentless political activists and an international literary giant.

MORE PRAISE FOR WOLE SOYINKA: 'You don't see the things the same when you encounter a voice like that' - Toni Morrison

One of the best there is today, a poet and a thinker, who knows both how the world works and how the world should work - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526638243

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 28 September 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Circus

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 820g

Pages: 464

About the Author

Born in Nigeria in 1934, Wole Soyinka is an author, playwright, poet and political activist. His prolific body of work includes debut novel The Interpreters and play Death and the King’s Horseman. Soyinka fought in the Nigerian war of independence and has subsequently been one of greatest critics of the Nigerian government. Twice jailed, he wrote part of his memoir on toilet paper in solitary confinement. A staunch critic of corrupt, authoritarian regimes everywhere, Soyinka destroyed his Green Card when Trump was elected in 2016. He is Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature.

Also by Wole Soyinka

View all

More from General Fiction

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.