Foreign Gods, Inc.

This brilliant novel really made me think about a lot of things. It is the story of Ike Uzondu, a Nigerian who has worked very hard to get an economics degree that he believes will propel him to the wealthy world of Wall Street. Sadly, it hasn't worked out that way for him. At every turn, he is told that his accent is unacceptable--too African. We are left to wonder if perhaps it is his dark skin that is actually unacceptable, but whatever the problem he finds himself unemployable on Wall Street. He sinks into a dead-end life as a taxi driver plus a destructive relationship with an unstable woman, a drinking habit and gambling. Suddenly he discovers that the god of his home village might be worth a lot of money--and there he discovers the truth of Emile Chartier's quote. Truly, there is nothing more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you've got.What really struck me about this book wasn't Ike's foolish pursuit of easy money but rather what a perfect illustration it was of the consequences of not being present. That may sound like New Age psychobabble, but one only has to look at the people Ike has left behind and is willing to continue to leave behind--his mother, who has fallen into desperate poverty due to the lack of her son's support and thus has become prey for a cynical grifter posing as a Christian preacher and his uncle, who hoped Ike would follow him as the voice of the god just as two examples--to see the consequences he has unleashed on those around him by falling into inertia, self-pity and dishonesty. Ultimately the real problem with Ike's life is that there is an Ike-shaped hole in it where Ike ought to be, but isn't.The only disappointment I felt with this book was that a chapter of it I had stumbled upon and read on a literary website--a chapter that caused me to want to purchase and read the entire novel--wasn't actually in the novel! Apparently the author chose to edit that out. I respectfully disagree with that decision; the chapter, which was about a lavish party thrown by the owner of Foreign Gods, Inc., cast some light on the kinds of people who were buying all those stolen gods. Still, the book is a fine achievement and a complex portrayal of all the ways a disappointment can send someone skidding off the road of life.

Foreign Gods Inc. by Ndibe is one of those rare books that has you laughing and crying at different intervals. It is well-written, excellently characterized and the story line is near perfect. I enjoyed this reading experience immensely.Ike (pronounced E-Kay) is a Nigerian in America, a graduate of the elite Amherst College who has been driving cab in New York City for thirteen years because he can not get a job despite graduating cum laude and majoring in economics. He is told at job interview after job interview that his accent is too thick and he is not a good candidate for a public relations or financial position. He is at his wits end. His bills are overdue, his ex has taken him for everything he has, and he is now up to his ears in gambling debts.As the book opens, Ike has the idea of going to a gallery called Foreign Gods, Inc and trying to sell them a statue, one that resides in his home village of Utonki. The statue is of the God of War, Ngene, a powerful god that served his people for century, protecting them from invaders. At this time, Ike's uncle is its protector. Ike believes that Negene is very valuable and will get him hundreds of thousands of dollars and get him out of debt. His mother has been begging him for money as has his sister. He has not sent them anything for support for years as he can barely keep his own head above water.Ike talks to Mark Gruel, the owner of Foreign Gods, Inc who tells Ike that he must bring the statue to him before he can tell how much it is worth. Ike decides to go back to his hometown in Nigeria and steal the statue and bring it back to New York. It is in Nigeria that a comedy of errors occurs and the reader is given the amazing history of the old and new Nigeria, the collision of the Christian beliefs with the traditional religion. Ike is caught in the middle and ultimately we are left to wonder "Did he have the guts to snatch the statue of Ngene and sell it?"The story unwinds slowly and resolutely, leading the reader from New York to Nigeria and back to New York again. We follow Ike with all of his conflicting beliefs and moral ambiguity. He is a complex and intelligent man trying to make a life for himself and for his family, while at the same time that life may end up destroying the very family he is trying to save.

This book is definitely about the journey. Not much happens, plot wise, but the author tells a lot of stories along the way.I prefer books which are more immersive. I like when the author disappears, and the reader is just left alone with the charcters and the location.If you like books where it feels like the writer is there on the journey, popping in to make commentary as you go along, then you'd probably like this book.Personally, I felt bogged down by levels of self indulgent metaphor "Ahead a long line of cars shat an omelette of red brake lights" and unnecessary reminders of what time it was. I found myself skimming through paragraphs that felt repetitive.It isn't all bad. The characters of the three priests, the missionary Stanton, the charismatic Pastor Uka and the uncle Osuakwu were very compelling and I found myself enjoying their stories. Tony Curtis was a hoot.Great book for those who like rambling books about the human condition, but wouldn't recommend to me.

Very interesting and great narrative by the master writer himself, Ndibe.

Foreign Gods Inc is an engaging read from the first line right through till the end which I won't give away. I really enjoyed reading it. Kudos to Ndibe.

Was reading Dr Sleep by Stephen King when this was bought and a cursory read through was compelling enough to urge me to finish the whole book. While the dialogue and theme was superlative, the conclusion was somewhat anti climatic. Loved the book though the ending was a bit of a let down.

Gripping story-line and masterful dialogue liberally seasoned with Igbo proverbs, "the palm-oil with which words are eaten". An excellent read!

good book