Oil on Water: A Novel

Fiction & Literature, Literary
Cover of the book Oil on Water: A Novel by Helon Habila, W. W. Norton & Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Helon Habila ISBN: 9780393340150
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company Publication: May 16, 2011
Imprint: W. W. Norton & Company Language: English
Author: Helon Habila
ISBN: 9780393340150
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Publication: May 16, 2011
Imprint: W. W. Norton & Company
Language: English

“The new generation of twenty-first-century African writers have now come of age. Without a doubt Habila is one of the best.”—Emmanuel Dongala

In the oil-rich and environmentally devastated Nigerian Delta, the wife of a British oil executive has been kidnapped. Two journalists—a young upstart, Rufus, and a once-great, now disillusioned veteran, Zaq—are sent to find her. In a story rich with atmosphere and taut with suspense, Oil on Water explores the conflict between idealism and cynical disillusionment in a journey full of danger and unintended consequences.

As Rufus and Zaq navigate polluted rivers flanked by exploded and dormant oil wells, in search of “the white woman,” they must contend with the brutality of both government soldiers and militants. Assailed by irresolvable versions of the “truth” about the woman’s disappearance, dependent on the kindness of strangers of unknowable loyalties, their journalistic objectivity will prove unsustainable, but other values might yet salvage their human dignity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

“The new generation of twenty-first-century African writers have now come of age. Without a doubt Habila is one of the best.”—Emmanuel Dongala

In the oil-rich and environmentally devastated Nigerian Delta, the wife of a British oil executive has been kidnapped. Two journalists—a young upstart, Rufus, and a once-great, now disillusioned veteran, Zaq—are sent to find her. In a story rich with atmosphere and taut with suspense, Oil on Water explores the conflict between idealism and cynical disillusionment in a journey full of danger and unintended consequences.

As Rufus and Zaq navigate polluted rivers flanked by exploded and dormant oil wells, in search of “the white woman,” they must contend with the brutality of both government soldiers and militants. Assailed by irresolvable versions of the “truth” about the woman’s disappearance, dependent on the kindness of strangers of unknowable loyalties, their journalistic objectivity will prove unsustainable, but other values might yet salvage their human dignity.

More books from W. W. Norton & Company

Cover of the book Doctor Ecco's Cyberpuzzles: 36 Puzzles for Hackers and Other Mathematical Detectives by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Making Certain It Goes On: The Collected Poems of Richard Hugo by Helon Habila
Cover of the book The Obituary Writer: A Novel by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Baseball Haiku: The Best Haiku Ever Written about the Game by Helon Habila
Cover of the book The Spark of Life: Electricity in the Human Body by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Dear Mrs. Lindbergh: A Novel by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Oldman's Brave New World of Wine: Pleasure, Value, and Adventure Beyond Wine's Usual Suspects by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Riffs and Reciprocities: Prose Pairs by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Come West and See: Stories by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Northland: A 4,000-Mile Journey Along America's Forgotten Border by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Eating Words: A Norton Anthology of Food Writing by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Constitution Café: Jefferson's Brew for a True Revolution by Helon Habila
Cover of the book The Hunger Moon by Helon Habila
Cover of the book Wired for Culture: Origins of the Human Social Mind by Helon Habila
Cover of the book The Record Men: The Chess Brothers and the Birth of Rock & Roll (Enterprise) by Helon Habila
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy