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The Fishermen

By Chigozie Obioma
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3.88 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 22,064 ratings, 2,785 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
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma is a compelling tale set in a small Nigerian town, centred around four brothers whose lives are irrevocably altered by a prophecy from a local madman. As youthful mischief evolves into dramatic events, the prophecy's power seeps into their family dynamics, revealing themes of destiny, family bonds, and the impact of belief. The novel offers a vivid portrait of Nigerian culture and the complexities of brotherhood.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

You might enjoy this captivating novel set in Nigeria, if you're drawn to tales that explore family dynamics and relationships through a rich tapestry of local culture and folklore. It's particularly appealing to readers interested in how childhood bonds and prophecies can shape destinies against the backdrop of both familial love and turmoil.

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New paperback edition of this highly acclaimed debut novel:
SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE
Shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award
Winner of the FT/OppenheimerFunds Emerging Voices Award
Longlisted for the Etisalat Prize for Literature

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

In a small town in western Nigeria, four young brothers — the youngest is nine, the oldest fifteen — use their strict father's absence from home to go fishing at a forbidden local river. They encounter a dangerous local madman who predicts that the oldest brother will be killed by another. This prophesy breaks their strong bond and unleashes a tragic chain of events of almost mythic proportions.

Passionate and bold, The Fishermen is a breathtakingly beautiful novel firmly rooted in the best of African storytelling. With this powerful debut, Chigozie Obioma emerges as one of the most original new voices of modern African literature.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma is widely praised for its rich storytelling and powerful exploration of sibling dynamics. Reviewers often highlight the author's masterful use of language and the way he weaves traditional Nigerian culture with universal themes of fate and family. The novel’s blend of dark prophecy and psychological tension keeps readers deeply engaged, making it a compelling read for enthusiasts of literary fiction.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781911590101

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 December 2018

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: ONE

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 352

Collections

Chigozie Obioma Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

Chigozie Obioma was born in 1986 in Akure, Nigeria, and currently lives in the United States. He graduated from the University of Michigan with an MFA in Creative Writing, and is now an assistant professor of Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The Fishermen is his first novel.

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