Teju Cole reads in Abuja - press release

Teju Cole is a writer and photographer currently based in Brooklyn. He has worked as a cartoonist, dishwasher, lecturer, gardener and haematology researcher. His writing has appeared in various journals in Nigeria and the US. Every Day is for the Thief is his first novel.

Every Day is for the Thief

A young man decides to visit Nigeria after years of absence. Ahead lies the difficult journey back to the family house and all its memories; meetings with childhood friends and above all, facing up to the paradox of Nigeria, whose present is as burdened by the past as it is facing a new future.

Along the way, our narrator encounters life in Lagos. He is captivated by a woman reading on a danfo; attempts to check his email are frustrated by Yahoo boys; he is charmingly duped buying fuel. He admires the grace of an aunty, bereaved by armed robbers and is inspired by the new malls and cultural venues. The question is: should he stay or should he leave?

Teju Cole will be reading at Pen and Pages Bookshop, at 6pm on the Monday 14^th December. He will also be in discussion with Toni Kan in Lagos (Quintessence) on Saturday, 19^th December.

FREE entry.

Address:

Pen and Pages Bookshop

Plot 79,

Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent,

White House,

Wuse 11