The Famished Road

How does Dad’s drinking affect him as a character? How does it affect his family? What gives him a reason (or excuse) to drink? How would Dad’s character and demeanor most accurately be described?

Explicate the various incarnations of Madame Koto. Is she a help or a hindrance to Azaro and his family? Does her affiliation with politics bring her positive results? What does she symbolize in her various roles, from benefactor to power broker?

What is the relationship between Mum and Azaro? Between Mum and Dad? Between Mum and the larger community? What is her role in Azaro’s journey and the story’s development overall?

What does Dad’s boxing career symbolize? What is Dad trying to accomplish by becoming a boxer? Why does he court seemingly impossible and definitely dangerous fights?

How does the building of the road or the connecting of electricity impact life in the compound? How does this kind of “progress” impact the natural world? Explicate the effect of modern development on both the traditional culture and the ecological environment.

What is the purpose of the abiku, the spirits, in the book? How do they influence actual events, and/or how are they manifested by said events? Why is it significant that Azaro himself is an abiku, or spirit-child, especially given that he is the narrative guide throughout the book?

Discuss the book's depiction of politics, politicians, and political parties. How are the two political parties different, if they are? How are the parties the same, if they are? How are politicians portrayed, and what do they signify? What might the author be suggesting about politics in general?

What might the conclusion to the novel signify? How does the disappearance of Mum and Dad impact the reading of the book as a whole? Is the book but a dream? Why or why not?