Chigozie Obioma’s follow-up to The Fishermen is told through the omniscient chi, or inner spirit, of a chicken farmer in Nigeria who falls for a more modern, urban woman after stopping her from jumping to her death. In An Orchestra of Minorities, the two lovers find themselves separated by their differing status: her family will not allow them to marry. As the man attempts to work his way past betrayers and evil forces of classism to get an education in Cyprus and make himself suitable, he embarks on an Odyssean journey, contextualized by the history long ago witnessed by the chi. Obioma, who was born in Nigeria, has now seen both of his novels shortlisted for the Booker Prize.
Buy now: An Orchestra of Minorities