Darkvisions

by Sola Osofisan

A collection of ten short stories, punctuated with quirky reflections, or 'darkvisions'; a journey through a dark world, 'darkage' and 'darknext' to 'light-visions', the light. The stories, fresh and powerful, are told from a variety of perspectives, and present a sobering reminder of some of the racial horrors and inequalities still looming large in Nigeria, and the specific problems of the younger generation. In 'Sin-eater', an unemployed female graduate tells of turning to drug dealing and racketeering in service of the developed world, to earn a living. In 'Too black for heaven' a political prisoner relates the final chilling moments before being sentenced to death by a firing squad for leading a small band of freedom fighers 'against a government that really is no government because 'only counter-violence will quell their violence'. 'Name your price' exposes the voice of a wily, articulate prostitute as she gives herself in entirety to the struggle for a better life.

An earlier version of this collection was co-winner of the Association of Nigerian Authors Award for Prose in 1992.

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