'The author, Ayi Kwei Armah, elicits extraordinary respect from around
the world, and deservedly so - after his phenomenal contributions to African
literature over the decades. Why are we so blest? is his third published novel,
nowhere as popular as his initial Beautyful
ones are not yet born. Yet the style and ideas are the same,
intellectualism and ideologies; role of artist(s) in Africa... Main protagonist
here is Modin; Aimee, the white American girl, and Solo, the north African
ideologue, so to speak. We read about Modin in America and his studies and
impressions there. We are introduced to Jefferson, who incidentally suffers
from impotence. The author is characteristically bland and dispassionate. As a
pundit noted "Armah's account (of prof Jefferson's impotence) lacks the
faintest tincture of that compassion which usually accompanies recognition of
tragic facts" The vista of this work is wide, embracing different
continents and countries. Modin and Solo get acquainted and somewhat bond.
Modin and Aimee remain close and very intimate, till the grim end. And a grim
end it is indeed for Modin as OAS terrorists set upon him and his girl and
horrifically castrate Modin and leave him to die... Aimee is released after being
raped, and she can tell Solo what happened; Solo grieves and feels a big sense
of loss. Note that Solo in this work reminds one of Baako in Fragments, as both
indulge in artistic isolation, without tangible social contact. A very well
written novel which leaves one quite sad in the end.' - Eric
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