Akashic Books continues its award-winning series of original noir
anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each book comprises
all new stories, each one set in a distinct neighborhood or location
within the respective city. Now, West Africa enters the Noir Series
arena, meticulously edited by one of Nigeria's best-known authors.
Brand-new stories by Chris Abani, Nnedi Okorafor, E.C. Osondu, Jude
Dibia, Chika Unigwe, A. Igoni Barrett, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Adebola
Rayo, Onyinye Ihezukwu, Uche Okonkwo, Wale Lawal, 'Pemi Aguda, and Leye
Adenle.
From the introduction by Chris Abani: Lagos has, like many coastal
cities, a very checkered and noir past. It is the largest city in
Nigeria and its former capital. It is also the largest megacity on the
African continent, with a population approximating 21 million, and by
itself is the fourth-largest economy in Africa.... It is rumored that
there are more canals in Lagos than in Venice. Except in Lagos they are
often unintentional. Gutters that have become waterways and lagoons
fenced in by stilt homes or full of logs for a timber industry most of
us don't know exists. All of it skated by canoes as slick as any
dragonfly. There are currently no moonlight or other gondola rides
available....
The 13 stories that comprise this volume stretch the boundaries of
"noir" fiction, but each one of them fully captures the essence of noir,
the unsettled darkness that continues to lurk in the city's streets,
alleys, and waterways.... Together, these stories create an unchartered
path through the center of Lagos and out to its peripheries, revealing
so much more truth at the heart of this tremendous city than any
guidebook, TV show, film, or book you are likely to find.
"In the introduction to this excellent anthology, Abani welcomes readers
to Lagos, Nigeria, a city of more than 21 million and an amazing amalgam
of wealth, poverty, corruption, humor, bravery, and tragedy. Abani and a
dozen other contributors tell stories that are both unique to Lagos and
universal in their humanity.... This entry stands as one of the
strongest recent additions to Akashic's popular noir series."
(Publishers Weekly, starred review)
"Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria, with a population of 21 million,
has, like many coastal cities, a 'very checkered and noir past, ' writes
novelist Chris Abani in his introduction to this anthology." (BBC
Culture)
"The beauty of this book, which contains 13 stories from Nigerian
writers, is that it serves as a travelogue, too." (Bloomberg, included
in "The Darkest Summer Reading List for Those Bright, Beachy Days")
