The Fishermen

A powerful and haunting literary novel in which fishing lies at the very heart of the story. Winner of the Booker Prize, this remarkable debut blends brotherhood, folklore, superstition and tragedy into an unforgettable coming-of-age tale. Set in Nigeria during the 1990s, the novel follows four brothers - the youngest only nine, the oldest 15 - who secretly escape to fish at a forbidden local river while their strict father is away from home. What begins as youthful adventure and the timeless excitement of boys discovering freedom beside the water soon darkens after they encounter a local madman who delivers a chilling prophecy that slowly begins to poison the family from within. For anglers, the fishing backdrop gives the novel much of its atmosphere and symbolism. The river becomes far more than simply a place to catch fish - it is a world of escape, danger, imagination and fate, familiar to anyone who understands how rivers often become woven into the important memories of youth. Obioma captures beautifully the way fishing binds the brothers together before fear and suspicion begin pulling them apart. Written with lyrical prose and mythic intensity, the story carries the weight of classic tragedy while remaining deeply human and emotionally gripping throughout. A bold, beautifully written novel that lingers long after the final page. Very good condition. Softcover. 21cm x 13cm. 301 pages.