This teaser is from Oil on Water, a novel by Helon Hablila. Mr. Habila is the author of Measuring Time and Waiting for an Angel (winner of the Commonwealth Prize and the Caine Prize for African Writing).
Oil on Water was recently published in paperback by W. W. Norton; here’s the publisher’s synopsis:
In the oil-rich and environmentally devastated Niger Delta, militants have kidnapped the wife of a British oil executive. Sensing the opportunity for his first big break, Rufus, a young journalist, takes the assignment to find her and negotiate her release. Paired with his former hero, Zaq, whose journalistic heyday has passed, the two embark on a journey full of danger and unintended consequences.
And the teaser, the opening paragraph (two sentences):
I am walking down a well-lit path, with incidents neatly labeled and dated, but when I reach halfway memory lets go of my hand, and a fog rises and covers the faces and places, and I am left clawing about in the dark, lost, and I have to make up the obscured moments as I go along, make up the faces and places, even the emotions. Sometimes, to keep on course, I have to return to more recognizable landmarks, and then, with this safety net under me, I can leap onto less certain terrain.
This story has already grabbed me; the setting of the Niger Delta recalls Christie Watson’s Tiny Sunbirds Far Away, and the introduction to Rufus’ story – complete with memory issues - recalls the protagonist in What Alice Forgot.
Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Miz B of Should Be Reading. Let us know what you’re reading this week – share a few teaser sentences.
Those two sentences leave me wondering if the narrator is speaking literally or figuratively, or both. Interesting. Thanks for sharing. If you get a chance, my teaser is here.
What rich language! I am glad you are enjoying the book. My teasers are from Between the Land and the Sea by Derrolyn Anderson and Ghost Story by Jim Butcher. Happy reading!
Oh, I love this! And I seriously love the cover. How pretty!
What an excellent teaser! I also love the sound of this book, and the cover is just excellent. I hope that you continue to enjoy it!
Terrific teaser!
That sounds like a terrific book – good choice!
My teaser is here.
I don’t think my TBR pile will recover from the teasers this week! So many amazing books, so little time. Hope you will stop by and comment on my Clockwork Prince teaser on http://EmmaMichaels.Blogspot.com !
What a great teaser! And a gripping description of the person’s path through life. I wonder how many of us would relate to that, if we really stopped to look back.
Anyway, love the teaser. My own is over at Bookishgal.
Very interesting teaser. I love the cover!
Here’s Mine
What a fantastic teaser…I like the author’s writing style, the way he combines and uses words. I also cannot believe that I have a copy of this book! I picked it up 2 weeks ago at the flea market because the story intrigued me, I liked the colors on the cover and…umm…well there was a deal of 4 books for the cost of 3. I’ve been meaning to research the author, just haven’t yet. I am looking forward to your review!