Nigerian writer, Chukwuebuka Ibeh, says the reception in Nigeria for his debut novel, Blessings, has been delightfully surprising: ‘I was prepared for much more vitriol, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ve also been amused by the split responses to events in the book, with some people wanting much less of the same thing that others seem to want much more of.’
First Draft is our interview column, featuring authors and other prominent figures on books, reading, and writing.
Our questions are italicized.
What books or kinds of books did you read growing up?
My early reading featured a lot of religious texts—the Bible taking centre stage. That progressed to cheap, quick-reads I got from second-hand booksellers with titles like The Snake Girl and My Father’s Last Wife. My father sold books, and through him, I discovered the African Writers Series, where I came to find and love literary African fiction, the likes of Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta and Cyprian Ekwensi.
If your life at this moment was the chapter of a book, which book (fiction or non-fiction) would that be?
Maybe Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I haven’t lived in the United States of America for very long, but I, like Ifemelu, find myself asking so many questions about race and racism in America.
What’s the last thing you read and disagreed with?
I’ve been disagreeing with a lot of things on X (formerly known as Twitter) lately, if that counts.
My father sold books, and through him, I discovered the African Writers Series, where I came to find and love literary African fiction, the likes of Chinua Achebe and Buchi Emecheta and Cyprian Ekwensi.
What’s the last thing you read that changed your mind about something?
A recent article about a famous Nigerian journalist/activist. I find myself leaning towards scepticism now, replacing my earlier admiration.
What is your writing process: edit as you write or draft first, then edit?
A bit of both, depending on the piece of writing being worked on, and my mood at the time.
What was your process for writing your debut novel, Blessings?
I was in a sort of isolation for months on end. I drafted the first scenes by hand and wrote in a notebook, before transferring to a computer. I practically wrote every day.
Blessings follow Obiefuna’s journey of self-discovery. It is also a coming-of-age story that also explores love and loss. What inspired this story?
Like everything else I write, life.
And what’s one thing about the reactions to the novel that surprised you?
The reception in Nigeria has been delightfully surprising. I was prepared for much more vitriol, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ve also been amused by the split responses to events in the book, with some people wanting much less of the same thing that others seem to want much more of.
I was prepared for much more vitriol, but that hasn’t been the case. I’ve also been amused by the split responses to events in the book…
And which book/author had the most influence on your approach to writing it?
Every author or book that I have read and loved had an influence in writing this book. I can’t think of one with much more influence than another.
What’s something simple but surprising about writing and publishing a book?
How much of the work is never really done. You are always working on the book in some way—even after it’s published. Some might say that is where the real work begins, particularly for a debut author.
What is the most meaningful piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
‘Just write’—says every reasonable writer ever.
‘Begin each revision on a clean slate’—from Kathryn Davis, my wonderful writing professor.
Who is the most compelling character you’ve ever encountered in a coming-of-age novel?
I loved the character Benjamin from The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma. And I was fascinated by Jaja in Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
What’s the last great book someone recommended to you?
I am currently reading The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst, on a friend’s recommendation, and it’s ‘great’ by all accounts.
And what’s the best book (by an African author) you’ve read so far this year (and why)?
It hasn’t been the best reading year for me, but I loved Uche Okonkwo’s A Kind of Madness, just on account of its chaotic plotlines.
Which contemporary books do you think will become classics in the future?
Definitely ‘Pemi Aguda’s Ghostroots and Arinze Ifeakandu’s God’s Children Are Little Broken Things. Ifeakandu’s book is a sublime, pioneering masterpiece.
What book(s) have you always wanted to read but haven’t gotten around yet?
I started reading Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, but got distracted a few pages in and haven’t quite gotten around to finishing. I should re-start it soon and finish. Everyone seems to love it.
What’s your literary pet peeve?
Too much use of semi-colons tends to get on my nerves. Also, the word ‘cried’ when not used literally.
Which three books from/about Nigeria should be on everyone’s bookshelf at this moment?
Chinua Achebe’s The Trouble with Nigeria, Buchi Emecheta’s The Joys of Motherhood, and Chimamanda Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun.
And what book (from Africa) do you feel has not yet received the attention it deserves?
No acclaim would ever be enough for Arinze Ifeakandu’s God’s Children Are Little Broken Things.
What is your favourite topic to write or read about these days?
The politics of race and desire/attraction in America.
What topic do you wish more authors were writing about these days?
I also wish more authors were writing about the politics of racial desire in America.
You are always working on the book in some way—even after it’s published. Some might say that is where the real work begins, particularly for a debut author.
What are you currently working on?
A novel about the life of a Nigerian activist/martyr.
Question from Candice Iloh: What is your family’s relationship to your work?
Pretty normal.
Who should we interview next?
Uche Okonkwo⎈
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