The Returnees
By Elizabeth Okoh
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Released: 2020
Genre: Fiction
*Gifted
Watch the Breakdown
The Returnees follows 3 individuals returning to Nigeria for 3 completely different reasons. Osayuki’s heartbreak in England drives her to relocate and take her career to the next level. In Lagos For Kian it’s the urge for motherland success in the Afrobeats genre, and his cousin’s highly exaggerated stories of his connections and the line-up of opportunities waiting for Kian. And Cynthia lands in Nigeria when the famous African parents favourite threat is actually carried out. She was sent back for a year to join the National Youth Service, as her father thought she was too sheltered and lazy.
The book opens with the end of the story, which is set in Osayuki’s house in Nigeria. She’s just given birth and family and friends are arriving for her baby’s naming ceremony. During the process of getting ready Osayuki watches TV, which is covering a news story of a British-Nigerian who has been found dead on the side of a road. The news triggers Osayuki, who can’t seem to enjoy her day with family and friends. The sauce spills, when she confesses to her good friend Cynthia, that she’s not sure if her husband is her child’s father of not. And just like that, the story rewinds all the way back to the beginning, which journeys through how each of the 3 characters were led to Nigeria.
The Returnees gives you an insight into Lagos and Abuja from various viewpoints, of those who have decided to return back to the motherland after living in England. A strong emphasis is put on the friendship of the female characters Osayuki and Cynthia, who are redefining what home is, and trying to find their footing as they jump between their clashing London and Lagos ways.
5 Words To Describe The Book
Dreams, adjustment, love, finnesse and assumptions.
Is that how you’re feeling yeah
This book was the perfect August read. I took it away with me on holiday and it just fit perfectly with the ‘suns out, funs out’ narrative I was riding on. It’s not my usual read. Or let me rephrase, it’s a lot lighter than the other books I’ve read recently. The book featured romance and new beginnings, which is what I like to read whilst on the beach.
I liked there being a different chapter for each character. They all came from a first-person narrative. However, I felt that Kian's chapters were the weakest. They were surface level and basic filler. Small talk dragged out for too long. Things would come up that I’d be interested in knowing more about, but it would be glazed over and then on to the next. The one thing I took away from his chapter was room for reflection. I didn’t care for Kian as a character but it made me think about the pressure people must feel to appear successful, keeping up pretences in the name of dignity.
Having Nigerian heritage and *peeps out* having never visited Nigeria before I especially loved being able to visualise the cities of Lagos and Abuja. The details of nightlife, Victoria Island, and the markets I really soaked up. I’ve come across a few people who have returned to Nigeria and are really winning out there so the book’s plot was timely and 100% filled a gap. It’s not hard to hear stories about people coming to England for better opportunities, but I’m proper happy that I’m being exposed to a rising number of stories of people from the African diaspora going back to their motherlands to live their best life. I’m all the way here for it.
Situations like Osayuki being quoted crazy high prices when wanting her hair done, because they could tell she wasn’t raised in Nigeria made me laugh, that would be me, hella stressed out. In Nigeria, they refer to those people as JJC (Johnny Just Come)
Ouuu, and the ending. It did sweet me. I genuinely didn’t expect that!
“She looked at my hair and then at me, from my head to my toes, and then offered a price. I almost doubled over but composed myself. If these women think I’m a JJC, then they’re mistaken. ”
Favourite Character
Cynthia was my favourite character. Her journey of feeling lost career-wise and then settling into a new environment made me build a real connection with her. I’m pretty sure if my dad had the opportunity to do so, I would have been sent to Nigeria to do the youth service too.
It Hit me When
When I started writing this review. Nigeria needs us to raise our voices right now! There are various #endsars protests around the world currently taking place documenting police brutality throughout Nigeria. The Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been around for more than 20 years. SARS incidents have included numerous human rights violations, Nigerian civilians being killed, money being demanded from them, civilians being tortured and more. Young Nigerians wanting change and a better life are being exploited by a system that should nourish and protect them. You find out during the book that a man’s body is found dead and it makes me think of those who have lost their lives because of SARS. Most recently the Lekki Gate massacre on 20th October 2020. Peaceful protests were taking place when the army ran up on protestors firing rounds. It was an execution where several people were killed and many injured, just for wanting a better life.
You can’t read this book in 2020 without acknowledging SARS.
Length
288 pages
Seasoning Level
CO2 | Salt | Pepper | Mixed Herbs | All Purpose Seasoning
Will you be adding The Returnees to your To Be Read list?
