SONGS OF ENCHANTMENT

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest literary works
Review: Ben Okri's writing is magical, enthralling and captivating. He takes English writing to new heights. He is one of the greatest writers ever, and one sees it throughout the book. I was enchanted by the English which is delivered with an African flavor. Almost like a new language. This book is spiritual and out of this world on one level and yet down to earth in its portrayal of Nigerian village life. It's a must read for those who enjoy reading foreign authors. I read it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Ho-hum
Review: Songs of Enchantment is a sequel to Booker Prize winning The Famished Road--one of the best novels I've ever read. But Ben Okri's attempt to outdo his first novel with this sequel had a disastrous result. He gives the readers an overdose of magic and supernatural. He describes one strange event after another (and almost in every succeeding sentence), distracting the readers and leaving them no time to savor one magical event at a time. (The Famished Road just has an amount of magic just enough for the readers to enjoy.) Ben Okri's prose has always been beautiful to read, but this time it didn't work. I couldn't find patience to finish the entire book.