Every Day is For The Thief by Teju Cole

Just four of us met to discuss this book on a chilly evening at The Hundred. Another of our members though kindly sent her comments 'virtually'!

Of the five: one member ‘did not love it’ because it did not tell ‘a story’, three loved it and one enjoyed “having had the opportunity to read such an interesting book” but did not consider it a 'good read.'

So we discussed our differences in opinion and decided, though fiction, this is more of a diary than a novel. However, regarding the missing story, each chapter is a small story and, though the book is a quick read, perhaps each chapter should be read and reflected upon before moving forward? 

So, why was it not a good read for one of us? We found it wasn’t the quality of the writing that is the issue but the situation. The book presents a desperate situation in a desperate, lawless state. So, for this reader, the issue is that there is “so little to enjoy” in the tale that unfolds. 

This is certainly true - this book depicts Lagos (and Nigeria) as corrupt, lawless, anarchistic and lacking in self-sufficiency or national pride.  However, it's not all bad and our narrator, during his visit, finds plenty of examples of good, honest folk living 'ordinary' lives: the record shop, the lawyer's clerk, the music society MUSON School, his own family, his friend the doctor. 

That lead us on to think about the author's motives - why did he write such a seemingly damning reflection of his visit to Lagos and such a scathing critique of his home nation? Was he simply painting a picture of how he saw his home city at a point in time? Or perhaps it's a cry for help on behalf of his county (to embarrass the leaders or to expose what is happening to the wider world?) Or is it to overcome a personal dissonance: he left, he doesn't really want come back but feels he should? Or is it to express his disappointment at how things have changed since he left? Who knows? We concluded the author is fabulous but perhaps a little confused.

So, would we recommend this book? We didn't really conclude this but overall we felt it's worth a read because it's not a hard or long book to read and it does give an interesting view on a country none of know, or understand. So - ummm - YES!

Our next book is Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan, a favourite author of more than one member of our group. There was a split opinion and the casting vote swung in favour of fiction and away from a perceived sensitive subject. However, some of us will also aim to read Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey over the next couple of months. So, we will meet to discuss our thoughts on Sweet Tooth and, if more than one has read it, Elizabeth is Missing on Thursday 19th March 2015, 8pm at the Ashendon Hundred. Here's hoping for a better turn out: as always all welcome.