by Ben Okri
First published 2009
Azaro exists between two worlds. As a spirit child, he was meant to live briefly among humans before returning to his companions in the spirit realm. The pull toward that otherworldly paradise remains strong. His spirit friends call to him constantly, urging him to abandon this harsh physical existence. But Azaro has made an unusual choice. He decides to stay with the living, to remain in a world filled with suffering and struggle. This decision creates a fundamental conflict within him. He must navigate life as a human child while retaining his spiritual nature and abilities. The spirit world does not easily release its children. Azaro faces pressure from both realms as he tries to forge his own path. His story unfolds as he learns what it means to be truly alive while never fully belonging to either world.
Genres: 20th-century, african-literature, fantasy, magical-realism
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Africa
Period: 20th Century
592 pages · Paperback · Vintage Books