50books_poc | 3- Stars of the New Curfew

Stars of the New Curfew by Ben Okri

Okri wrote this three years before The Famished Road, and it shows. The short stories are engaging, I came away from it a little disappointed because firstly I think he's written better stories and secondly.....well the second part is harder to describe.

I love Okri's style, he has a wonderfully poetic way with words. I've heard his books described as magical realism, I'm not sure I agree. He writes atmosphere, feeling. He creates an ordinary chaotic world that leaves you wondering whether the visions the protagonists describe are real magic, flights of fancy or hallucinations. The stories are feverish and emotionally charged. His writing reads like dreams but where The Famished Road ends hopefully Stars of the New Curfew ends (for the most part) on a low with our protagonists helpless against fate, petty cruelties, soldiers and tyrants......... Since I was reading this to avoid The Bluest Eye I wasn't exactly pleased.

Essentially good stories, but not the best Okri has to offer. Read them if you like slightly trippy stories or haven't read The Famished Road yet, they have some brilliant moments and are good over all.