Hello everyone, today I bring you the book tour of Nike Campbell-Fatoki’s new short story collection. For those who have not read the book, there will be a short description and I have also included my commentary on one of the stories below. Join the discussion by commenting, sharing with friends and stand a chance of winning a free copy of the book. You can also ask questions as the author will be available to respond to them in the comments section.
I found the stories in Bury Me Come Sunday Afternoon, engaging in a refreshing manner. In “Apartment Twenty-Four”, Campbell-Fatoki writes the African immigrant’s story with a fresh perspective. The major character, Ade is an archetype Nigerian immigrant, however, without the cliche dodginess. Ade’s internal conflict with Tamuno’s covert work is couched in an artistic subtext that encourages an individual interpretation. The usage of imagery is masterful and engaging. The resolution, ‘a drop it like it’s hot’ that leaves the reader panting at the finish line with bated breath and longing for more action.
Book Description
In this short story collection, Nikẹ Campbell-Fatoki filters the lives of contemporary Nigerians through a colourful and vivid prism, where past sins come to upset settled lives, where lost lives fuel a campaign for a better future and nothing is as it seems. She explores well-known themes but delves a little deeper, questioning our ideas about people, our impressions and prejudices. Bury Me Come Sunday Afternoon depicts the struggles of a young ambitious and hardworking Nigerian abroad with the same insightful candour as it does the tale of a brilliant but broken woman struggling with mental illness.
Listen to Nike Campbell-Fatoki reading an excerpt from “Apartment Twenty-Four” here
Transcript of the excerpt:
I knocked on the door of apartment twenty-four for the third time. The smell of iru (locust beans) filled the hallway. If I do not get this food in soon, occupants of the second floor will call Mr Theodore, the building manager, about the odd smell in the building. I shook my head and knocked louder. Footsteps approached the door. Tamuno opened it, his towel wrapped around his waist; dark hair covered his broad chest. When he looked down at me, his shaved head glistened. He looked well-groomed with a goatee.
“Bros, good evening,” I said, handing him the plastic bag of food.
“You try for me, Ade. I swear! Ever since you introduced me to this restaurant I’ve been hooked! They put something for the food?” Tamuno joked. I chuckled.
He invited me into the living room. I walked in as he grabbed his wallet on the arm of the recliner. He pulled out a wad of dollar bills and began to count them. I looked away. The living room was furnished with expensive furniture – the dark brown recliner complemented the seven-seater leather sectional and ottoman. He pressed the dollar bills into my hand and walked me to the door.
“That’s for your transportation and for tomorrow’s lunch. Please buy me the stew with cow feet and ponmo next time.” I chuckled and teased him about the weight he would start gaining. When we got to the door, I reminded him of the IT position I applied for at his workplace. “Did you have a chance to talk to the HR. manager yet? You’re one of my references, bros.”
“I haven’t had a chance. You know I just got back from this business trip, and I’m in the middle of bringing my wife over.”
“Oh yes! Congrats! When does she arrive?”
He smiled.“She’ll be here in less than a month!”
“You said she’s a minister’s daughter, right? Which one?” I asked.
“Not that it matters, but she’s the daughter of the Minister of Works and Housing.”
His phone rang somewhere in the apartment. He said he had to go. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He closed the door in my face before I could answer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nike Campbell-Fatoki was born in Lvov, Ukraine. She is the second of four children born to Nigerian medical doctors in the old Soviet Union. A graduate of Economics with a minor in Political Science from Howard University. She also has a Master’s degree in International Development.
Nike juggles writing with her day job in budget and finance management at Prince George’s County. Her first novel, A Thread of Gold Beads was published in 2012. Her latest work, Bury Me Come Sunday Afternoon, was released in July 2016.
Nike lives in the Washington DC area with her family, where she is writing her next historical fiction novel set to be published in 2017.
You can order a copy of the book online at Quramo Publishing Limited, click the order form here. Also available at Patabah bookstore, Quintessence bookstore, Unilag bookstore and Salamander (Abuja).
Now, leave your comments and questions below. You can also follow the tour tomorrow at afreada.com.
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