Lagos Noir by Chris Abani

Lagos Noir Reviews

• 
  Ify

  Lagos Noir is a compilation of short stories, from several contributors, that are situated in Lagos- for the most part. This is the first book from the Noir Series by Akashic Books, an independent publisher based in Brooklyn, that I have read. Prior to learning about Lagos Noir's release, I did not know about the other books in this series- books based in other cities around the world, from Tel Aviv to Brooklyn (the first book in this noir series).
  
  Lagos Noir was edited by Chris Abani, whose heavy-weight reputation is sure to pique the interest of many readers. In this anthology, there are thirteen stories, which are divided into three sections. Each story takes place in a different neighborhood or suburb in Lagos, and covers different facets of Lagos' underbelly. From a good yet naive cop in a corrupt institution to a man caught in a bus kidnapping, the stories differ dramatically in content (and tone).
  
  As a Lagosian currently living away from home, Lagos Noir made me intensely nostalgic for the city's grit and volume. Several sentences made me laugh out loud till my eyes became wet, and some stories revived old memories of crime incidents I had read in the newspaper or seen on TV. I truly appreciate the existence of this anthology. I feel very dearly about it. However, I was not impressed with Chris Abani's introduction or his editing. The introduction came across as disjointed and detached. And I thought some stories could have been edited better (the pidgin in one of the stories could have been HEAVILY edited) or urged to explore some deeper elements.
  
  The stories that blew me away include: Heaven's Gate (well-written and developed!), For Baby, For Three (liked the exploration of desperation and how it factors into being exploitation by religious scams), Joy (I was on the edge of my seat), Choir Boy (loved the story's structure and how it came together) and Uncle Sam (what a 419 story with a twist!). There were some other stories that I liked, but either they fell flat (tone-wise) or had a predictable ending. A story worth honorary mention due to its unique content is What Are You Going To Do?
  
  I found it particularly curious that most of the big names used to promote this anthology did not quite deliver, while the not so well known authors contribute stellar stories that were nuanced and intriguing. I really liked this book, and encourage people to read it.
  
  
  P.S: A GR reviewer said this book made her make a mental note not to ever visit [Lagos]. To which a true Lagosian would say, "who invited you?"
• 
  Tonstant Weader

  Lagos Noir is the noir armchair traveler’s guide to Lagos, the largest city in Nigeria and in Africa. I have been pronounced it wrong my entire life, it’s not a homonym for the Spanish lake, but for the Danish toy that 10 million parents have stepped on in the middle of the night. Speaking of the middle of the night, there is far more danger in the dark in Lagos than stray pieces of pointy plastic.
  
  There are thirteen stories in Lagos Noir that are presented in three sections. The first is “Cops & Robbers” and the stories are far from the traditional procedurals. Nnedi Okorafor’s “Showlogo” is masterful magic realism and Jude Dibia’s “What They Did That Night” captures the futility of honesty in a corrupt system. The next section, “In a Family Way” gets at the more personal noir, the family conflicts and struggles. “Joy” by Wale Lawal sets two women against each other in one house. The last section is “Arrivals and Departures” and has Nigerians interacting with refugees from Liberia and with White ex-pats, which prompts the question, are ex-pats just privileged refugees? Leye Adenle’s “Uncle Sam” is a brilliant play on the Nigerian email scam.
  
  
  
  I thoroughly enjoyed Lagos Noir and think editor Chris Abani did a masterful job of collecting writers and stories for this edition. I am glad Abani stuck to short stories. When editors add poetry and drama, I get this feeling that they think noir is just a bit downmarket. I feel no shame for my love of noir or of genre fiction and while I can understand the desire to show the noir sensibility is other kinds of writing, I love it when editors fully embrace the sublime art of the short story.
  
  I defy anyone to read Chika Unigwe’s “Heaven’s Gate” or Onyinye Ihezukwu’s “For Baby, For Three” without being shaken to the core. These are powerful and moving stories of family and society trying to survive where the margin for error is narrow and unforgiving. It’s harrowing and painful and reminds us how unjust the world can be. That is what literature is supposed to do.
  
  Lagos Noir will be released June 5th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through Edelweiss.
  
  Lagos Noir at Akashic Books
  Akashic Noir series
  Chris Abani author site
  
  
  https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
• 
  Azeeza

  My expectations were higher but it’s worth the read.
• 
  Erin

  This anthology of short stories offers a noir theme of life in Nigeria. A variety of characters (from drug dealers and cops to children and office workers) provides the reader with insight into the darker side of Lagos. Some of the stories seem a little too similar, but overall, the dark tone is suspenseful and captivating.
• 
  Seyi

  The cool thing about anthologies is unfortunately the flip side of the crap thing about anthologies. You get to meet a variety of writers, who do not always reveal the same motivations when crafting their submissions. There are some stellar stories, beautifully crafted that introduce memorable characters and absolutely take you there.
  
  Not all the stories are like this.
  
  The collection works ok on average but there are a host of the writers I will be asking for their portion of my money back if ever we meet.
• 
  Amyn

  I enjoyed all the stories but I wanted more darkness.
• 
  Diana

  LAGOS NOIR is one of the latest additions (June 2018) to Akashic Books’ Noir Series.
  The short story anthology is edited by Chris Abani and the anthology highlights important noir elements - a genre of crime fiction characterized by cynicism, fatalism and moral ambiguity. Most stories feature hard-boiled cynical characters and bleak, sleazy settings.
  Each title in the Noir Series includes a Map; a Table of Contents; an Introduction by the editor(s) and About The Contributors which showcases the various authors.
  The Introduction is a very important part of the anthology as it introduces the city or area where the stories take place. The Introduction also gives us factual and cultural information (usually from a noir point of view) and sets a tone or ambiance. Chris Abani’s Introduction - “Lagos Never Sleeps” is a short story in itself.
  “Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and its former capital. It is the largest megacity on the African continent, with a population approximating 21 million and is the 4th largest economy in Africa.”
  “Underneath the government-sponsored billboard that says, Keep Lagos Clean, a city of trash, like the work of a crazy artist, grows exponentially.”
  “Lagos never sleeps. Ever. It stays awake long after New York has faded in a long drawn-out yawn.”
  “Each story totally captures the essence of noir, the unsettled darkness that continues to lurk in the city’s streets, alleys and waterways.”
  
  LAGOS NOIR is divided into III parts: Cops and Robbers - In a Family Way - Arrivals and Departures. There are 13 stories.
  “What they did that night” by Jude Dibia
  “Heaven’s Gate” by Chika Unigwe
  “Showlogo” by Nnedi Okorafor (extremely unusual man, this Showlogo))
  “Just ignore and try to endure” by A. Igoni Barrett
  “The swimming pool” by Sarah Ladipo Manyika
  “What are you going to do?” by Adebola Rayo
  “For baby, for three” by Onyinye Ihezukwu
  “Eden” by Uche Okonkwo
  “Joy” by Wale Lawal
  “Choir Boy” by Pemi Aguda (haunting)
  “The walking Stick” by E.C. Osondu
  “Uncle Sam” by Leye Adenle
  “Killer Ape” by Chris Abani (extremely noir; a very clever detective sargeant. I liked him - a very practical guy. He does Sherlock Holmes proud.)
  
  These stories are DARK. Uncompromising Noir.
  
  I was very honored to receive this ARC (Advance Reading Copy) from Akashic Books. They are the ‘real deal’.
  
• 
  Anna Mena Obie

  As a Lagosian I could relate to the stories written in this book. I honestly didn't want to pick this up because the cover didn't really attract me(silly I know) but I am glad I did. It was a short and good read with themes such as police brutality, robbery, corruption, false prophets and many more.
• 
  Olivia

  3.75 stars
  
  The introduction to this book is wack, I didn't like it at all, and it almost put me off reading the book entirely, but once you get past it (honestly you can skip it and it wouldn't make a difference!) the stories are absolutely worth your time. I loved how the stories varied in content, every narrative seemed fresh and introduced me to amoral characters who I couldn't help rooting for. Of course in every anthology there are some stories that stand out more than others, but that is to be expected, and those that weren't as spectacular still had their redeeming qualities.
  
  My favourites were The Swimming Pool by Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Joy by Wale Lawal, Uncle Sam by Leye Adenle and What Are You Going To Do by Adebola Rayo.
  
  This is the second book I've read in the Akashic Noir series, the first being Nairobi Noir, which really pales in comparison to this collection. I couldn't help comparing the skill sets as in Nigeria really put it's best foot forward and as for us Kenyans .... As in you can see clearly why we don't win Caine Prizes that often LMAO.
• 
  Margaret

  Lagos has been inspiring writers for generations, and for good reason. This collection was a fitting homage to the blurry, dark side of the city and its people.
• 
  Bankole

  Short stories help figure out what to read next and which authors are interesting.
• 
  Mulkurul

  What They Did That Night by Jude Dibia ☆☆
  Heaven’s Gates by Chika Unigwe ☆☆☆
  Showlogo by Nnedi Okorafor ☆☆☆
  The Swimming Pool by Sarah Ladipo Manyika ☆☆☆☆
  What Are You Going to Do? by Adebola Rayo ☆☆☆☆☆
  For Baby, for Three by Onyinye Ihezukwu ☆☆
  Eden by Uche Okonkwo ☆☆☆
  Joy by Wale Lawal ☆
  Choir Boy by ‘Pume Aguda ☆☆☆
  The Walking Stick by E. C. Osondu ☆☆
  Uncle Sam by Leye Adenle ☆☆☆
  Killer Ape by Chris Abani ☆☆☆
• 
  Amina

  A good book to pass the time or in between other reads. Most of the stories we're generally good, but in the end fell flat. My favorites were:
  
  Heavens Gate: Chika Unigwe
  Showloho: Nnedi Okorafor
  Joy: Wale Lawal
  
• 
  Stacy Cook

  When I was first selected to read a book about Lagos, Nigeria I was a bit skeptical about getting a good picture of a country I know nothing about and will probably never visit because I am not a world traveler by any stretch of the imagination.
  I am the slowest reader on the planet and apologize to Akashic for the delay in this review. That being said, Akashic delivered another winner in this Noir series. I am sure I've said it before, but I'll say it again about the Lagos collection; there was not a single story in this book I did not enjoy. After each story I turn to the end of the book and read the authors brief biographies. This makes me feel a strong bond between the story, the author and myself.
  Killer Ape, Showlogo and For Baby, For Three, all completely different stories, each one in a separate Part of the book really peaked my interest. So did all of the other stories, these just remained with me a little longer.
  I've read several books in Akashic's Noir series and have to say this was one of the most fluid and captivating selections of Noir. A big thank you to Akashic for choosing me to review this book!
• 
  Jite

  Good but not for me...
  
  This is a well-curated short story collection featuring dark, gritty, “noir” selections. The stories are diverse with different themes and each one set in a different Lagos neighborhood. The common thread is that all the stories are pretty grim and almost universally depressing as one would expect with this genre. There are some dark stories redeemed by dark humor and to me, that’s where this collection shines and those were the parts I found most enjoyable. I think this was a pretty overall realistic collection with characters anyone who has ever lived in Lagos will readily recognize.
  The stories in this collection are overall high enough quality. My main issue with this collection is that I’m neither a fan of short stories nor noir. I read this for a book club. I would rate this 3.5 stars because I think it’s good and well-curated and I think this could be a 4-5-star collection for someone, but it just wasn’t for me.
• 
  Jennifer Collins

  I've read a number of the Akashic Noir books, and while some of them have been hit and miss, this is one I'm certainly glad to have read. The trick is this: although the stories here are more varied than those I've seen in some of the other anthologies, some of them also aren't quite as traditionally noir as a reader might expect. I'm happy to have that trade-off, though. The beauty of these books is how they bring location to life and let a reader fall into the space, and where some of the others have fallen slightly flat for me has been in the stories all striking too much of the same note. Here, the variety of the stories and voices is fantastic, and I was consistently surprised (in a good way) by each successive story. Many of the authors I've read here are ones who I'd never heard of, but who I'll now be looking up in order to read more. I don't know of a higher compliment I could give an anthology when it comes right down to it.
• 
  Melisende

  Lagos - capital of Nigeria, with a culturally diverse population. Life is tough; life is cheap; it is man versus man; there is police corruption, payoffs and bribes; there is violence; and money is the key.
  
  ".. there is something for everyone in Lagos ... it is no place to be poor .."
  
  And this is the main theme of these particular stories - money and wanting what someone else has got. There are no PI (private investigator) stories - just the human element, and all the necessary evils that go with it. There is that sinister undertone throughout, which is reflective of the current increase in crime that has been unleashed upon its citizens.
  
  This is no bedtime story ....
  
  
  
  
• 
  Morakinyo Beckley

  The dark underbelly of Lagos unravels with several stories recounted by thirteen authors.
  
  Each of the thirteen stories such as Heavens Gate, Showlogo e.t.c brought out the often swept under carpet sides of the bustling and chaotic city of Lagoons.
  
  Some of the stories were well woven with intriguing plots and Heavens Gate and Killer Ape stood out while Showlogo had a rather uncanny and almost unrealistic twist at its end.
  
  Lagos Noir should certainly be read by ALL Lagos residents, aspiring Lagos tourists, IJGB (I just got back) and expats expected to resume or continue living in Lagos.
• 
  Suyi Davies Okungbowa

  3.5/5 really, but I'm not finicky with ratings.
  
  Some stories were well written (e.g. Joy, Eden, What Will You Do? etc), some middling and enjoyable, though could be better and a few that were, I'd have to truthfully say, not good stories at all. I noticed the fresher, newer voices (save for one in particular) offered much more intimate, nuanced views of a city whose dark stories can quickly border on the stereotypical, while the heavyweight names actually were among the more disappointing, drawing from already
  
  A half-and-half, as with many collections I've read.
• 
  Abby Hogan

  Perfect little short stories. They’re not the noir I was expecting, not the hard boiled Hollywood noir. So, I learned more about noir as a sub genre of crime fiction: gritty, involving crime, morally ambiguous, more than the narrow version with which I was familiar. Also learned about the Caine Prize, aka the African Booker, and Akashi Books, a noir publishing company. Lots of leads to new reading!
• 
  Sam

  This is a collection of 13 short stories about different places in Nigeria that deal with the daily struggles in life. Each story had just enough to hold your interest. The book is divided into three parts: Cops and Robbers, In A Family Way, and Arrivals and Departures. It's a quick read and enjoyable. I won this from LibraryThing Early Reviewer.
• 
  Suroor

  An interesting collection of stories. Although not all of them are strictly speaking, crime stories, they are definitely noir, leaving the reader with an unsettled feeling. A bully gets his comeuppance from an unexpected source, a thug tries to escape the policemen whom he humiliated and a sergeant has to figure out whether a chimpanzee killed his master or whether it was a human.
• 
  Vera

  Thank you to Akashic Books for sending me an ARC of this new noir collection! These collections never disappoint - always painting a clear, albeit dark, picture of the city in which they are set. A good solid collection of stories.