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Book Review

Waiting for destiny

Anelechi B. Chukuezi

MBAA Publishers, P.O. Box 93, Atta

Ikeduru L.G.A., Owere

19 M.C.C. Road, Owere, Imo State

First Published 1996

ISBN 978-2614-16-5

Printed by: Colon Concepts Ltd., 118 Tetlow Road, Owere.

Dr. Anelechi B. Chukuezi, Surgeon and Consultant in the field of otolaryngology in Owere, is also a writer, authoring a body of literary works which span three decades.  His well-known, “Udo Ka Mma” –OUP (1974) is the first Igbo play ever to be published and has been a WAEC set book for over 20 years. Chukuezi has written 8 books.  “Waiting For Destiny” is his first novel published in the English language.

This mini-saga is a plunge into the very intimate life of Mrs. Mary Chama, an ordinary woman longing for the security and fulfillment of normal family life.  After five years, the pressures of financial trouble from her husband, Chike’s, retail market business and the stigma of a childless marriage begin to eat away at everything they attempt to build together.   Amidst an avalanche of advice from family and friends, Mary clings to one ray of hope that her husband has not abandoned their dream of having a child together.   Chike convinces Mary that seeking the intervention of a spiritualist doctor would remedy their problems.  Unbeknownst to Mary, a “doubtful character”, Lazimo, has persuaded Chike to take a hidden agenda in dealing with Mary.  What the long journey to Ohia Mmuo to meet with Dibia Udeaja entails and the unraveling of events exposes, will drive the reader with a non-stop pace.  The inner workings of  “ala mmuo” and the choreography between the human’s spirit and  “chi” are major themes in the novel.  How all of these influences develop and effect the Mary’s destiny makes for dramatic reading.

Beginning in Aba, in the 70’s and 80’s, post -war times, Ndiigbo are portrayed as industrious and decent people in a society beginning to grapple with some economic graft and political corruption that have seeped in.  Traditional values that are intrinsic to Igbo culture, such as marriage, family, religion, tradition, education, accomplishment and perseverance are triumphant themes. These all render an ending that will satisfy the reader. The story has episodes in various parts of Igboland, yet, finally ends in Lagos.

This is a tale of fear and courage, betrayal and forgiveness, love and hate.

My favorite character is probably the one that most would call “villain,” Lazimo.  He makes the reader feel like a fly on the wall, privy to secrets and mysteries.  Lazimo also says what some people may only think about.  He contrasts many of the characters and adds a dynamic to a story that would be dull without him.

I enjoyed the book.  Dr. Anelechi is a skilled writer to show the mind of this woman, Mary without shallowness or cliché.  It is a story that both men and women may enjoy, as it shows the resilience of the human spirit through life’s unpredictable storms.

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