The Famished Road

by Ben Okri
The Famished Road cover
Good Books rating 1.5
Magical Realism
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  • ID: 3043
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9781448138548
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2015-03-31
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

The Famished Road is a magical and profound novel that weaves together the realms of the living and the spirit world. Azaro, a spirit child, is born into a world of enchantment but chooses to stay in the land of the living, experiencing its joys and sorrows. This Booker Prize-winning novel is celebrated for its imaginative writing and its ability to rekindle a sense of wonder in readers. The story is both epic and intimate, exploring themes of life, love, and the supernatural. /n/n Praised for its lyrical prose and rich imagery, The Famished Road is a testament to the power of storytelling. Ben Okri's masterpiece has been lauded for its ability to move readers and inspire them to share its magic with others. The novel's unique blend of reality and fantasy makes it a standout in contemporary literature.

Reviews
Bronas Books · 2024-02-20
mixed 2.50

The reviewer appreciates the inventive language and imagery but finds most of the book a slog. They highlight the challenging nature of the narrative.

The reviewer at Bronas Books acknowledges that The Famished Road has moments of dazzling, playful language and imagery. However, they found most of the book to be a slog, indicating that the challenging narrative and style made it difficult to enjoy. The reviewer appreciates the creativity but feels the overall experience was not as rewarding as they had hoped.

Quick quotes

    There were parts of The Famished Road that dazzled with playful, inventive language and imagery, but for most parts it was a slog.

    In places it was a slog.

    The challenging narrative and style made it difficult to enjoy.

BookerTalk · 2015-03-10
disappointing 1.00

The reviewer abandoned the book after 80 pages, finding it unengaging despite its Booker Prize win. They question the judges' decision.

The reviewer at BookerTalk found The Famished Road so unengaging that they abandoned it after 80 pages. They express surprise that the Booker judges were mesmerized by the book, indicating a disconnect between the book's critical acclaim and their personal experience. The reviewer's critique suggests that the book's style and narrative did not resonate with them, making it a challenging read.

Quick quotes

    After 80 pages and with the knowledge of hundreds left to read, I abandoned the book.

    The Booker judges clearly were mesmerised by this.

    I found it unengaging despite its Booker Prize win.

The Guardian · Sam Jordison · 2011-01-20
harrowing 1.00

The reviewer found the book to be a long nightmare, struggling with its dreamlike and post-colonial narrative. They criticize its length and the challenging reading experience.

Sam Jordison from The Guardian had a tough time with The Famished Road. He describes it as a long nightmare, finding the dreamlike narrative of post-colonial Nigeria difficult to engage with. The reviewer feels the book's length and style make it a slog, rather than a rewarding read. Jordison's critique highlights his struggle to connect with the story, despite its acclaimed status.

Quick quotes

    Ben Okri's dreamlike tale of post-colonial Nigeria has many fans, but for me it was a long nightmare.

    The book's length and style make it a slog.

    I found the dreamlike narrative difficult to engage with.

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