Graceland (Today Show Pick January 2005)

Chris Abani's GraceLand is the story of sixteen-year-old Elvis, a Nigerian teenager living in Lagos in 1983 who wants nothing more than to be an Elvis Presley impersonator. That summary alone is what got me to pick up Abani's novel, but what is even more impressive than Elvis's characterization is the cultural and worldly scope in which Abani crafts Elvis's story. While the novel maintains a close third-person perspective on Elvis, Abani uses an omniscient narrative voice that can sneak its way into the minds of even the most peripheral characters. In this way, Abani tells the story of a country through the story of one of its children; even though his hopes and dreams may be out of the ordinary, they are - at their basest level - the hopes and dreams of a country.The non-chronological story telling method Abani utilizes functions as a spiral. I like to picture a conch shell while thinking of the novel now, the winding walls becoming narrower and narrower as the story closes in on itself. The dramatic presence takes place in Lagos in 1983, after Elvis and his estranged father, Sunday, have moved from their small village into Maroko, a Lagos slum. Every alternating chapter brings us back into the past, starting with Elvis as a five-year-old little boy and moving all the way up to his present so that both times eventually meet, in an almost seamless fashion. Within these time shifts, Abani also includes excerpts from Elvis's mother's diary - recipes for traditional Nigerian dishes and identifications of different plants and roots that can be used to cure maladies. Along with these recipes is the history of the kola nut ritual, an ancient tradition rite that allows a family to see what kind of adults their children will become. By including both familial artifacts and cultural lore, Abani widens the scope of Elvis's story so much so that Nigeria becomes more of the protagonist, rather than Elvis.The wide cast of characters surrounding Elvis is a strong showing of both characterization and storytelling. The two most memorable are Sunday, and Elvis's close friend, Redemption. Abani could have created Sunday in the clichéd vein of abusive fathers, but he does not; rather, Abani gives Sunday humanity, and in doing so, makes him all the more tragic. There is a quiet scene where Elvis realizes he has called Sunday "Dad" for the first time. This recognition is heartbreaking in both Elvis's realization of this fact and in his father's resignation to his failure as a parent. The end to Sunday's story, then, carries even more weight than it would have without that small, little scene.Redemption is a firecracker of a character, bringing energy into every scene he occupies. He is akin to those characters in movies or on certain television shows that, even though they may not be main characters, take over every scene that they are in. He is the force that pushes Elvis into new and dangerous situations, and he is also one of the only characters that never truly leaves Elvis behind. He is a stunning creation, and I greatly admire Abani's drawing of him as a character.I have two complaints regarding GraceLand. One is where the female characters are concerned. While Elvis is surrounded by strong women in his past - his mother, his grandmother, and his aunt, among others - they disappear as his journey progresses. I felt a bit cheated, like the male characters were more developed and the female characters functioned as sources of tragedy or of frustration. I would have liked to see Abani do more with them. The other complaint I have is the novel's length. While it is a sweeping, dramatic story, I truly believe Abani could have told just as powerful a story in a novel that has a hundred less pages.GraceLand is original, emotional, and visceral. It is a portrayal of a boy forced to grow up too fast, and of a country forced into turmoil, violence, and hope.

The news out of Africa is so bad so much of time that it takes a writer of rare skill to make us pay attention. Nigerian Chris Abani is such a writer. He tells Elvis Oke's bumpy, brutal coming of age story with immense skill and verve.We follow Elvis, an aspiring dancer and Elvis Presley impersonator, as he and his family migrate from their rural village to the teeming slums of Lagos during the early 1980s. Abani's supple prose pulls in Igbo tribal lore, the smashed remnants of a failed modern state and the glittery artifacts of global pop culture. He seduces you through detail. You are with Elvis in the beat down dirt of his country bungalow and in his rat infested, waterlogged Lagos apartment, seeing what he sees and feeling what he feels. This is artistic witchcraft of a high order, as rare as it is precious.Elvis' life contains many horrible things, and the reader is spared none of them: the sprawling, episodic plot contains incest, murder, child abuse, rape, torture, military atrocities and vigilante justice. These moments are redeemed by humor, the kindness Elvis and his friends show one another, and the insistent humanity of these very average people, a humanity that refuses to be crushed by poverty or beaten down by the rifle butts of government soldiers. It's a wild ride, and you come to the end of it all shook up, but as sixteen year old Elvis gets ready to fly off and join his auntie in America (Las Vegas, no less), you share his feelings of hope and determination.Before he emigrated to Britain and then the US, Abani was arrested for his writing and tortured by the Nigerian government. Like Elvis, he survived a brutal upbringing; this novel is testament to the clarity, courage and compassion with which he faced the trials of his life.

Having read all the favourable reviews by amazon.com readers, I decided to buy the book. I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into it....alas, I think I shall have to visit the dentist to rectify the case of serious rot that has set in.Firstly and foremost, I cannot understand what drew the other readers to the book. I kept thinking, as I read it, that this is going to get better, it MUST get better, after all isn't the author a recipient of the Lannan Literary Fellowsip, etc., etc.The problem with this books is that it is so disjointed and confusing. Mr Abani also fails miserly to bring the characters to life. I cannot sympathize with the main character, Elvis, mainly because I couldn't understand him. I think the best books are ones where you can either root for or boo the main character, you see the world through that person's eyes, you feel the pain and anguish, the anger, the happiness...you laugh out loud, cry, and wish the book would never end. This book fails to do all this. In short, it's a horrible bore.There is no sense of continuity, events are mentioned in passing which are never, never described in the book, yet these events are important and I feel that they should have been included in the narrative. I also hate the poor way the author switches back and forth from one time period to another. A more competent writer would be able to do this wonderfully. Not Mr Abani.Some things beggar belief. If you have ever lived in Africa and if you are familiar with Indian communties there, you know that there is no way on this earth an Indian girl, educated at Oxford, chaperoned by her BMW-driving big brother, would EVER make out with an African boys from a slum! For crying out loud! (By the way, this unbelievable occurance is mentioned as a mere aside. It is one of those important yet unimportant details that the author does not dwell on).The only good thing about the book (other than it came to an end), is the Nigerian recipes offered. I have never come across a Nigerian cookbook, so this will have to suffice. I also like his explanations of the traditional herbs and plants used in Nigeria. Taking a look at the author's picture at the back, it is quite apparent that he is a connoisseur of things of a culinary nature. Which brings me to a point which has nothing to do with the contents of the book: Mr Abani's photo. Sir, were you blindfolded when you selected that picture?! I have never met Mr Abani, but I must say that this is the most unflattering photo I have seen of an author to date...bar none!I suppose I will be the only one to give this book One Star, all you others rave on until you are blue in the face. I stick to my guns and say that this book is awful! I love African writers and as and African myself, I take great pride in the great writers Africa has produced. Unfortunately, after reading this book, I must conclude that Mr Abani is not included in this revered group!

The best thing about this novel is the way it takes the reader to the past, and then paints a picture of the present. It gives the reader the opportunity to see the main character in two different periods; as a young man, and as an adult

Having visited Lagos several times this book is an accurate reflection of the trials & tribulations of the average Nigerian. Great storyline,a real eye opener,just read it.

charming, interesting and enjoyable

Nice read.What I loved most about it was the somewhat intricate detailing on Igbo culture. Good bok.

The title has nothing to do with Paul Simon's appropriation of South African music or Elvis Presley's Mansion thank heaven. The main character is named Elvis, a young Nigerian boy who impersonates Elvis Presley to try to lessen the extreme poverty he experiences in life. The book gives a rare view into the lives of those who experience extreme poverty in the slums of most large third world countries. This is set in Lagos, Nigeria. You will follow Elvis through a rollercoaster of emotions with his father and family. Abani does not pull any punches and parts of the book are very dark and difficult to read. Life in the slums is not pretty or cute. Get out of your comfort zone and you won't be disappointed. This is a wild ride and worth every moment of your time.