BOOK REVIEW: Prince of Monkeys by Nnamdi Ehirim

By Michelle Mojisola Savage

“Our fathers, though once the jailed died as jailers, and we, once heirs of paradise, live as monkeys in a zoo.”

From their childhood in the suburbs of Omole, where Ihechi and his friends find solace in football amid the intricacies of their familial relationships, Prince of Monkeys presents an engrossing tale that explores the joys and struggles of coming of age. As they embark on their journey into adulthood, each character follows a distinct path, yet they all share a common struggle, grappling with their dreams, beliefs, and hurdles. This poignant narrative by Nnamdi Ehirim artfully delves into various aspects of Nigerian life during the 1980s and 1990s, exploring themes of tribalism, family dynamics, religion, and politics.    

Through Ihechi's perspective, readers witness how his life, as well as the lives of Mendaus, Zeenat, and the pastor's son, are shaped by their family dynamics, societal values, and relationships. According to Ihechi, white was the colour of his childhood; “white because they were still pure, unmarred by the dangers of trying and the fear of failure.”

As adulthood dawns, their perspectives shift, leading to deeper contemplation of life. Zeenat’s tragic death during a political riot irreversibly alters their friendship, transforming Ihechi into a shadow of his former self and igniting Mendau’s fiery political activism, positioning him as a perceived savior of the masses - Mendaus the Messiah.

This pivotal moment prompts Ihechi’s mother to whisk him away to his father’s family in Enugu, to prevent him from following Mendaus’ path of radicalism, recognizing his tendency to follow others rather than chart his own path. In Enugu, amidst his larger-than-life uncle, tribalistic aunt, and cousins Tessy and Effy, Ihechi grapples with the role of tribalism in Nigerian society. Being a product of two different tribes, he struggles to find his place, particularly with his openly tribalistic aunt, who unapologetically expresses her biased views.

Ehirim astutely notes: "The one thing all Nigerians have in common, regardless of their cultural or geographical differences, is religious fervor.”. In the book, we witness Ihechi’s longing to experience the devotion and faith displayed by members of his family, ultimately reconciling with his agnostic beliefs. 
Yet, his dogmatic pattern of followership persists as he falls under the spell of the alluring but manipulative Madame Messalina, becoming a political messenger to Alhaji and the Major General. He is even persuaded into pursuing presidential aspirations without questioning his own motives.

Nevertheless, as the narrative progresses, Ihechi gradually finds his voice and asserts his position in life. Unfortunately, his realization comes too late, as expressing his desire to step away from the presidential ambitions leads to a near-fatal beating by Madame Messalina and his subsequent imprisonment in Kirikiri prison. There, he reunites with Mendaus, who has transformed from the Messiah to the Menace, and pastor’s son, who zealously followed the path charted for him. He also reconnects with Boniface, a childhood friend whose nicknames evolved with his situations in life. At this juncture, these four friends, each on a different life path, find themselves converging at the same point, forced to confront the consequences of their choices. 

When I asked the author about the cause of the friends’ pyramidal journeys despite their diverse beliefs and goals, he explained that their paths converged because “although they all had the right dreams, their approaches to achieving them were not right. None was better than the other.”

Ehirim’s debut novel skillfully explores the consequences of the choices made in the pursuit of power and success. He especially excels in vividly portraying Nigerian family dynamics. While the narrative occasionally feels fragmented, incomplete, or even exaggerated, causing readers to pause and question its plausibility, Ehirim’s introspective exploration of the multifaceted nature of Nigerian society makes Prince of Monkeys a worthy read. Solid 8/10

Prince of Monkeys is available at our community library; 196 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.