Chinedu Ogoke
Under Fire
A Novel
(Literaturen und Kulturen Afrikas,
herausgegeben von Yomb May, Bd. 4)
1. Auflage 2002, 414 Seiten, Format 21 x 13,8 cm
ISBN 978-3-89896-138-7, Broschur, 17,90 Euro, 31,50 sFr
Best.-Nr. 138
Under Fire mirrors a decaying society. Readers’ focus is
rather reduced to the life of university students in an unjust
and unstable political environment. The students of the
university depicted in the novel have lost everything. Their
privileged status has been eradicated and they now have to beg
and negotiate for everything. It is a narrative which
documents the complexities and difficult decisions that face
the students in striking a manageable balance between
self-preservation and not compromising their ideals. Their
discontent and dissatisfaction with the system is exploited by
the military to stay in power.
The story is interspersed with light-hearted banter among
the students and a hint of romance. The author has constructed
a fast-moving and accessible plot. He demonstrates an acute,
social and political awareness which extends to and is
reflected by his portrayal of the micro-politics of the
structure of the university.
