Discussion date -- January 28, 2010.Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan can be a difficult book to read in many respects.
First, it's difficult to experience, even second hand, the tragic lives of these African children. It's difficult to embrace their innocence, their naive and gentle acceptance of their lives. Like all children, they live in a world created by the adults around them, a world where they have little power. As we read, though, we must realize that this is how a significant population of the world exists -- struggling day to day for basics that we take for granted: food, clothing, shelter, education and right to simply exist.
Second, Akpan, in his dialogue, uses the pigeon English spoken in parts of Africa. This can sometimes be difficult to understand. As you read, you must accept that you're not going to grasp everything but, most of the time, you'll understand the basics. The language is often a combination of English, French, slang, and some of the indigenous languages of Africa. This is the reality of communication. If you were to really visit these places and talk with these characters, and they spoke this pigeon English to you, you'd not understand everything either. So, don't get discouraged or give up as you read. I've read a few of these stories twice, and during the second time around I've suddenly discovered the meaning of a strange word and made the connection. "Oh, now I know what that word means," I say to myself.
A hint -- I downloaded the audio version of this book for my ipod. It's read by African actors who get all the pronunciations correct and glide through this sometimes difficult dialogue with ease. You can either do the ipod version or order a copy of the CD's. I do recommend this if you really want to gain a closer connection to this culture. Language is a key to understanding any culture.
Also, you'll find much on the web about this author. I've provided one youtube.com interview -- but you'll find many others online. If you have an ipod, you can download a podcast of Oprah interviewing him. So, enjoy the book, and share your thoughts, observations, insights and research with all of us on this blog.
Some notes on the language in “Fattening for Gabon”
ReplyDeleten One of the main characters in this story is called Fofo Kpee. “Fofo” means “Uncle.” See page 72 for the clue that unlocks this translation.
n Fofo Kpee is an “agbero.” An “agbero” is a taxi or bus driver. But the connotation is of someone who smuggles people across the board for money. Another meaning of “agbero” is a small-time street thug or extortionist.
n “Abi” probably means “maybe.”
n “Una” is used quite a bit in the dialogue. As far as I can determine, it means “you.”.
n “Dey” may mean “very” or “very much”or “be” – as on page 42 when Fofo says “No fear. Everyting go dey fine” or, “Everything to be fine,” or “is going to be fine.” Or on page 57, Big Guy says “Wow, Fofo dey treat you well o,” or “Fofo’s going to treat you well.” I must say, though, that this word seems to have different meanings within different contexts. Anyone else have some thoughts as to its meaning?
n The “zokeke,” of course, is their Nanfang motorcycle.
n “Go” may mean “be” or “to” as on page 66 when Fofo says: “We go go dere…for sure,” meaning “We’re going there for sure.” This is another word that may have many meanings depending upon the context.
Continue adding to this list for this and other stories as you read “Say You’re One of Them.” When you have four or five new words, post the meanings here – but make sure you give us the page numbers of examples of the word's use so we can quickly check ourselves.
There’s also much French used in this story. I know French and have been able to translate on my own. If someone wants to provide a translation on this blog, feel free to do so. If no one has posted a translation by early January, I’ll provide one for you.
Here's an interview with Uwem Akpan from youtube
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDgFT-F57PI
Boy, this chapter is a bit hard to read. I'm half way though and would not know what is going on if the first paragraph didn't say he was trying to sell the children. I'd have though it was about the new motor cycle.
ReplyDeleteHeartily agree with the previous chapter though; glue IS just for children, huffing gas more suiting for adults. How odd.
Perhaps the reader in "Fattening for Gabon" is going through an experience much like the children, that is, we don't know everything that's going on. Unlike the children, though, the reader does know, from the title and other clues, that the children are being prepared for sale. As you read, consider both the literal and figurative meaning of "Fattening." What other strategies, besides food, is the uncle using to "fatten" or prepare the children for slavery.
ReplyDeleteMost stories have a turning point, an event that causes the story to begin moving in another direction. There is a significant turning point in "Fattening for Gabon." It's worth finding that point in the story and then tracing how attitudes and events begin to change and why. What is that point in this story? This is one subject we can talk about when we meet, but you're welcome to comment on it here.
ReplyDelete“Fattening for Gabon” is one of the more compelling stories in this collection. Frankly, I found it extremely disturbing. Ten-year-old Kotchikpa (later, Pascal) narrates the story. We get his point of view, and that of his five-year-old sister, Yewa (later,Mary). As a reader, I found myself vicariously living along side these children, seeing their world from their point of view – while at the same time, knowing things that they didn’t know or could even fathom. That’s called dramatic irony, when the reader knows more than the characters – and this tension can cause the reader discomfort. It did for me. I knew early on from subtle clues, that things were not going to turn out well for those children. Later we see how excited they are, how optimistic about their new life. Another example of irony that causes the reader discomfort. The reader knows that what’s really in store for them is the opposite of what they expect. Then, the disturbing turning point, where Fofo Kpee, their uncle, decides not to go through with his plan. And soon after that, Kotchikpa, being the older sibling, slowly begins to see the truth. His little sister, although knowing that something is wrong, never really understands. Would any five-year-old? Frankly, I had a difficult time finishing the story. I delayed, hesitated, because I didn’t want to go where I knew the story was taking me.
ReplyDeleteHow did those of you reading this book respond to “Fattening for Gabon?”
Another powerful and disturbing story in this collection is "My Parents' Bedroom" -- based on the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Akpan uses the same technique he uses in "Fattening for Gabon." By presenting the story from 9-year-old Monique's (Senge) point of view, we, as readers, have to piece events and their meanings together gradually just as Monique does. We're not sure precisely what's happening, unless we're familiar with the Rwanda genocide. Even if we do know about that event, we're still not sure exactly what's going on within this family. Monique's parents speak in euphemisms. See page 343:
ReplyDelete"Look, we cannot run away from this," Maman says.
Papa shrugs. "But I cannot do it. How do I do it?"
They're talking about secret things again.
"You can," she says. "Yesterday, you did it to Annette."
What is this "it" they're talking about? Monique is puzzled just like the reader. Later we find out specifically what happened to Annette.
Any comments or reactions to this story?
If you find Uwem Akpan engaging, you can read his new short story called "Baptizing the Gun" in the January 4, 2010 issue of "The New Yorker." You can find it by copying the URL below and pasting into your browser.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2010/01/04/100104fi_fiction_akpan
The short story "Luxurious Hearses" in this collection is based upon real events in Nigeria sometimes called the Sharia Crisis. It might help you get a better context of what the main character, Jubril, is going through, if you go to these links and read a little about the historical event that encircles "Luxurious Hearses." Essentially, it's a conflict over a form of Muslim law (Sharia) vs. a more secular law. Here are a few sites to visit:
ReplyDeletehttp://emeagwali.com/interviews/sharia/crisis-in-nigeria.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1893589.stm
The following is a more detailed and scholarly account of the history of this Sharia Crisis in Nigeria. It's a pdf file.
http://www.crise.ox.ac.uk/pubs/workingpaper6.pdf
Ten of us joined the discussion about this book at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 28th at the Seward Community Library. We talked until about 8:45. Excellent discussion.
ReplyDeleteThis thread will remain open for those who want to continue talking about this book.