The Road to the Country

by Chigozie Obioma
The Road to the Country cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Historical Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 1144
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9780593596982
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2025-08-12
  • Formats: 44
  • Reviews: 3
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In the late 1960s, Nigeria is torn apart by civil war, and Kunle, a shy university student, is haunted by guilt and visions of a mysterious figure. When his younger brother disappears amidst the chaos, Kunle sets out on a desperate rescue mission that leads him to be conscripted into the Biafran army. As he navigates the horrors of war and the prophecies of a local Seer, Kunle's journey becomes one of atonement, brotherhood, and unimaginable courage. Chigozie Obioma weaves a powerful narrative that intertwines myth and realism, creating a thrilling and emotionally resonant tale. Praised by literary giants and longlisted for numerous awards, The Road to the Country is a masterpiece that explores love, redemption, and the human spirit in the face of devastating conflict.

Reviews
London Review of Books · Blake Morrison · 2024-07-18
brutal 4.00

The novel is painstaking and painful due to its graphic depictions of violence, but it effectively captures the brutality of war. The narrative is intense and unflinching, making it a challenging but impactful read.

Blake Morrison's review in the London Review of Books highlights the raw and unrelenting nature of 'The Road to the Country'. The novel's abundance of corpses and vultures is not for the faint-hearted, but it serves as a powerful testament to the horrors of war. Morrison appreciates the painstaking detail and the painful honesty with which Obioma portrays the Nigerian civil war. This is not a book to read lightly; it demands attention and leaves a lasting impression. The reviewer acknowledges the novel's brutality but also its necessity in shedding light on a often overlooked conflict.

Quick quotes

    The Road to the Country is a painstaking novel, and necessarily a painful one too, given the abundance of corpses and vultures.

    Unlike Half of a Yellow Sun, this novel is more focused on the individual experiences of war rather than the broader political landscape.

    Obioma's prose is both beautiful and brutal, making the reader feel the weight of each moment.

Brittle Paper · 2024-06-11
harrowing 4.25

The novel is prescient in its relevance to contemporary wars, offering a poignant exploration of the Biafra conflict. The reviewer finds it hard to read at times due to its emotional weight but appreciates its timely message.

The reviewer from Brittle Paper finds 'The Road to the Country' to be a timely and prescient novel, especially in the context of ongoing global conflicts. The depiction of the Biafra war is both harrowing and necessary, making it a difficult but important read. The reviewer notes that the novel's emotional weight is substantial, often making it hard to read. However, the timeliness of its message and the depth of its exploration of war and its aftermath make it a significant contribution to contemporary literature. The novel's ability to resonate with current events adds to its impact.

Quick quotes

    The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma is prescient in the context of all the wars taking place today.

    It was hard not to think of Gaza, and other conflicts, while reading this novel.

    The novel's emotional weight is substantial, making it a challenging but necessary read.

The Guardian · 2024-05-23
brutal 3.75

The novel is not for the faint-hearted due to its graphic violence, but it succeeds in capturing the chaos and brutality of war. The reviewer praises the large-scale action scenes and the emotional depth of the characters.

The Guardian's reviewer describes 'The Road to the Country' as a brutal journey that is not for the faint-hearted. The novel's many scenes of battles and shocking violence are noted for their intensity and realism. Despite the graphic nature of these scenes, the reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and the way the characters' experiences are portrayed. The large-scale action scenes are particularly praised for their execution and impact. The reviewer acknowledges the difficulty of the subject matter but also the necessity of such a portrayal to understand the true horrors of war.

Quick quotes

    With its many scenes of battles and shocking violence, the book is not for the faint-hearted.

    Large-scale action scenes are notoriously hard to pull off, but Obioma does so brilliantly.

    The emotional depth of the characters makes the novel's brutality all the more impactful.

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