Every Day is for The Thief by Teju Cole [Review]

The title of this book is taken from a Yoruba proverb, quoted as an epigraph: “ojo gbogbo ni t'ole, ojo kan ni t'olohun. [Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner.]

To be honest, I wonder why foreign based Nigerian authors always write about deplorable and sad things happening in the country.

While I understand the fact that this is the reality and that bad stuff sells, I still feel like there are so many good things happening in the country that would make fantastic works of literature.

Every Day Is for the Thief tells the story of a young man return to his home country, Nigeria after fifteen years away. The man who remains anonymous throughout the book meditates and reflects on the condition of society in his native country.

Born in the U.S., raised in Nigeria, back to the U.S. and then a return to Nigeria. The narrator finds it very hard to adjust to life in his home country. While this book is described as 'Fiction', it is actually a memoir.

Characteristics of a novel include: a) plot; b) character development; or c) both a & c. This book has d) none of the above.

I felt like there were big gaps, too; he takes a stand against copying CDs (because "piracy is bad for creativity") but there is not a word said about gender relations or creative Nigerian youths.

Mostly what non-Nigerians who read this book would think is that Nigeria is too corrupt, backward and poor.

While I agree that Nigeria is too damn corrupt, I would have loved it if the narrator had spent more time with the creative minds of Nigeria he mentions who are helping to improve their country and who have remained for whatever reason to become part of the solution and not part of the problem that daily besets Nigeria.

Perhaps I am the naïve reader, but those positive stories alongside the negative stereotypes of Nigeria would allow outsiders to find a place to begin to re-image Nigeria and support those creative spirits who are there fighting to improve their home.

Also, this book is too preachy and what a wonderful book this would have been if the narrator’s took part instead of criticizing everything and standing aloof.  It would have been perfect if the narrator had spent more time celebrating the parts of Nigerian life and society that he appreciated. Of course, it is no good to simply romanticize the idea or reality of home, but to dismiss home’s potential by viewing it through a strictly Western lens is doing home a major disservice.

Nigeria (or any other African country, really) cannot be like America or Europe because of different factors, including but not limited to: history, topography, tribe and language.

On the plus side, this is an honest full-bodied portrayal of Lagos, Nigeria. The fine, minimalist writing and really artful black and white photos taken by the author made the book more interesting.

SEE ALSO: Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi [Review]

I am a huge fan of Teju Cole, he is a magnificient writer. His seamless insights, well-crafted prose and sense of storytelling are just spectacular. However, I am rating this book 3/5 stars, because I did not like this book and the aloofness of the writer.

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