Lagos – Leben in Suburbia

by Elnathan John, Alaba Onajin (Illustrator)

In der Ajayi Crowther Street in Lagos treffen sich Nachbarn, um zu tratschen, sich heftig zu zerstreiten … um dann doch wie jeden Sonntag gemeinsam in die Kirche zu gehen. Lagos – Leben in Suburbia erzählt von Reverend Akpoborie und seiner Familie. Sein Sohn wagt es nicht sich in der homophoben Umgebung als schwul zu outen, während seine Tochter ihre uneheliche Schwangerschaft verheimlichen muss, um das Ansehen der Familie zu wahren. Dazu heimliche Affären, spirituelle Quacksalber und religiöse Heuchler, aber es ist der Reverend selbst, der das dunkelste Geheimnis verbirgt!

Wie die Soap Operas aus Nollywood, die in ganz Afrika beliebt sind, breiten die beiden nigerianischen Autoren in ihrer Graphic Novel das Leben ihrer Protagonisten mit all ihren Tief- und Höhepunkten aus und geben einen Einblick in das quirlige Leben im Großstadtmoloch Lagos.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nigeria, Comics, Fiction, LGBT, Contemporary, Africa

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2020

About the author

Elnathan is a writer and lawyer living in spaces between in Nigeria and Germany. Mostly.

His works have appeared in Hazlitt, Per Contra, Le Monde Diplomatique, FT and the Caine Prize for African Writing anthology 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. He writes weekly political satire for the Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust on Sunday (and any other publication that PAYS him). Except you are The New Yorker, he considers it violence of unimaginable proportions to ask him to write for free. He has never won anything. This record was almost disrupted by the Caine Prize when they accidentally allowed his story on the shortlist in 2013 and again in 2015. Of course, both times, he did not win. He has been shortlisted and longlisted for a few other prizes, but he is content with his position as a serial finalist. It is kind of like being a best man at a wedding - you get to attend the ceremony but you can get drunk, sneak off and hook up without anyone noticing because after all, you are not the groom. In 2008, after being lied to by friends and admirers about the quality of his work, he hastily self-published an embarrassing collection of short stories which has thankfully gone out of print. He hopes to never repeat that foolish mistake.

His novel Born On a Tuesday was published in Nigeria (in 2015), the UK and the US (in 2016) and will be available in German in 2017. Now that he is in between books, nobody seems to want to publish his collection of short stories. This puzzles him. He really loves those stories. His agent also swears that if he publishes his Nigeria satire collection, it will interfer with his chances of being established globally as a serious novelist. He really doesn't care.

Elnathan is touchy about his skin and man boobs and isn't bold enough to grow hair (mostly because he is balding). One day he wants to be able to afford to buy a new, white Golf with shiny rims and a plate number that reads: WRITER. One of his new goals is getting to a weight below his current 100+kg and losing his fast growing beer belly.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A domestic drama/soap opera set in Lagos, Nigeria. At the center of this book is an evil man -- rapist, homophobe, fraud, hypocrite -- who gets off too easy in the end, with most of his tiny comeuppance happening "off screen" as it were. So even if parts of the book are engaging, it is not worth wading through all the rape, homophobia, and a suicide.

The art is mediocre with some characters barely looking the same from panel to panel. The writing makes use of a lot of African dialect and Pidgin English that was occasionally difficult for me to follow. It's also choppy and seemed to frequently skip over important moments.

This reminds me of the much better Aya of Yop City series by Marguerite Abouet and Clément Oubrerie.

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family feuds, social hypocrisy, gender bias, and sexuality are just a handful of the themes covered in Elnathan John’s impressive Nigerian graphic novel “On Ajayi Crowther Street.”

The story revolves around people living on said street, which forms a microcosm of Lagos and Nigeria on the whole. Everybody has their secrets, which give rise to rumours – some of it true, some false. The Pastor Akpoborie’s son, Godstime, struggles to come out to the world, his sister Keturah wonders how to disclose her pregnancy to her family, and their maid Kyauta hides a big secret that has big consequences.

It's not easy to pull of a novel like this and in the graphic format. John covers a huge cross-section of Lagos society through all the characters. And most of them individually represent a certain idea or attitude. Godstime and his best friend and love interest stand for homosexuality and the way it is perceived (with derision and denial). Mary is the liberal-minded, single girl who doesn’t have much of a social circle but is perhaps the strongest voice of reason. The Pastor Akpoborie is the model of goodness with his upholding of religious virtues, and so on.

The social critique is biting and the imagery serves to emphasise it more. Nothing is what it seems and John peels back the layers one by one as the story progresses to reveal the core of it all. There are a lot of issues addressed within this small space – from child labour to hypocritical attitudes to religious fanaticism to homophobia. John has written large parts of the book in Naija or Nigerian Pidgin, which lends it a sharp authenticity and sense of place. The illustrations are colourful and vibrant, bringing life on Ajayi Crowther Street alive. The book itself moves at a very fast clip, and I couldn't put it down.

While the street itself is fictional, the stories are not. We have a Pastor Akpoborie or a Godstime walking among us everywhere.

I read this book on Scribd. Highly recommended read.

[Lolá · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love this book. Alaba Onajin and Elnathan John are a perfect combo. While EJ wrote a beautiful story of the intricacies of daily living on a street in Lagos touching the lives of the Akpoborie, the Bucknors amongst others, AO gave their lives form and colours. It is a beautiful book.

[Nkiru Ede]

A proof that graphic novels are profound. Beautifully illustrated.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible graphic novel about daily life, class relationships, religion, and homophobia in Nigeria. I really liked the art, especially the characters & their facial expressions. While many people on the titular Ajayi Crowther Street have their scenes, the focus is mostly on the Son & one of the Daughters of megapastor Akpoborie. You'll laugh, you'll cry, etc. A great read picked up at random on my first visit to the library (inside) in probably 16 months!

[Wendelle]

This is a very descriptive graphic novel of one family's breakdown, set in Nigeria. The father and head of the household is a pastor of the megachurch and holds sway over his community. And he has a future to look forward to-- his church is expanding to the Nigerian community abroad. But is he truly following the teachings of Christ, or is he hiding some crimes and sins under the sheen of his reputation? Furthermore, how will his children cope with experiences of societal taboos of homosexuality and unplanned pregnancy? Ultimately, this graphic novel is a hopeful one, because the society's understanding of Christianity is flexible enough, and loving enough to hold space for things that dogma and intolerance condemn. People are kind and loving and (some) justice is served. This is a great graphic novel to read from a talented writer from Nigeria.

[Karen]

A Nigerian graphic novel about the lives of the family and congregation of a homophobic and sexually abusive pastor. The father and community leader is a deeply hypocritical figure, who uses so-called gay conversion therapy and violent rhetoric to whip up the faithful. The consequences for his gay son are awful, and all the while the pastor is committing crimes against the most vulnerable. Around these central figures is a cast of characters with varying opinions about gayness, sin, community, responsibility, and family. The voices and dialogue are stronger than the art, although there are a few panels that really stand out. The tale winds its way to an emotionally satisfying, if not necessarily believable, ending.

[Sandy]

Noped out of this one because the nearly all of the characters seemed unlikeable. I paged forward a bit and saw some scary homophobia and sexual predation happening. This book is not for me.

[Mo’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a beautiful book 🥺

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, pretty basic and forgettable book.
Beautiful illustration though.

[Bukola Akinyemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storyline with beautiful illustrations. Some heavy themes made palatable by the gorgeous drawings.

[Monemi1986 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 *

[Muyiwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it all in one sitting.
Pretty good stuff!

[Nhaoma · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that resonates with most of us because, we've lived on an Ajayi Crowther Street at some point.

I liked how issues were addressed here, real issues that affect ordinary Nigerians. Problems like child labour, homophobia, rape, religious hypocrisy, family wrangling, and neighborhood politics.
However—probably because it's a graphic novel—the pacing felt too rushed. Almost like scenes had to hurry off a page because another scene had booked that space.

I'll read it again soon, maybe it'd have aged better.

Oh! yes... I loved the illustrations. It was colourful, expressive, and just the right shade of bleak – like an idle afternoon in August.

[Tosin (booksxnaps) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. It wasn’t what I expected at all. First of all, I didn’t know it was a graphic novel until I started it.

I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it as much but I was pleasantly surprised.

It was very easy to read. I loved that he used this book to highlight what typically happens in our society. The things we speak about in hushed tones. Pastors planning fake miracles, homosexuality, maltreatment and abuse of domestic staff.

Themes here were sexuality, abuse, mental health and religion.

The illustrator did a fantastic job. Colorful and vivid. I almost felt like I really was on Ajayi Crowther street.

[Ibilolia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unputdownable. Elnathan John as usual uses his distinct sense of humour to tackle society's issues. The illustrations by Alaba Onajin were absolutely brilliant!

[Ifeoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Elnathan John is such a beautiful and engaging writer, even though I’ve made conscious efforts to mostly buy e-books, he’s one writer that I do not mind amassing physical copies of his books. I don’t even need to know what he’s writing about for as long as he releases a book, I’m buying it because I’m sure the story would be wonderful. The best thing about this book for me is how it displays current societal issues in Nigerian culture that are being tackled especially on social media, from domestic abuse of househelps to sexual abuse from religious leaders as well as the persecution of gay people in Nigeria. My favorite part of the book is the portrayal of friendship breakup caused by Mrs Akerele’s betrayal of trust for what was told to her in confidence by Mrs Akpoborie. Friendship breakups to me are much worse than romantic breakups but not widely spoken about unlike romantic breakups. To end it all, I do hope that the ink in the pen of this great writer never runs dry 🙏🏾.

[Eric Piotrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb story that feels cozy and epic at the same time. The cast of characters is large enough to deserve a character chart at the front, but we get to know the individuals here well enough to make it a nice little add-on. The people are sculpted with refined nuance, and the dialogue is highly engaging.

The art is excellent as well, providing clear lines and color that is emotionally taut. The places are familiar and foreign at the same time, drawing intimate links between the reader's world and the Nigerian neighborhood in focus.

I was not expecting so much painful drama in this story, but it is balanced with beautiful messages of hope and perseverance as well. What appear to be simple filler images in the final pages are, in fact, emotional miniature epilogues.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Essential reading.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK: ON AJAYI CROWTHER STREET
AUTHOR: ELNATHAN JOHN
ILLUSTRATOR: ALABA ONAJIN

This book was completely amazing. I didn't even know it was illustrated until I opened it. But, I loved, loved the illustration, the drawings were beautiful and lively.

Ajayi Crowther Street was realistic and filled with relatable Nigerians. There's a lot of drama, gossip, and family secrets. It was engaging as any Elnathan John's writing, filled with difficult truths. I couldn't stop once I started.

I don't have much to say other than it was an engaging book. Read if you like realistic Nigerian writings and beautiful drawings

[Mateen Mahboubi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple-seeming but ultimately complex story that touches on a lot about people between two worlds. A culture of religious fanaticism, state-sponsored homophobia and terrible abuse of power. A seemingly out of place connection with Germany (maybe thanks to some funding from the Goethe Institute) provides some level of contrast with the rising Nigerian culture. A bit of a mixed-bag but ultimately refreshing to have a story from a part of the world that is not well-represented in graphic novels.

[Suzanne Ondrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so many layers to it! It has a pastor who rapes his house maid and who has a gay son (homosexuality is illegal and taboo in Nigeria) and a very tolerant aunt. Sadly after the two young male lovers are discovered, one commits suicide. There is also corruption in the church-paying off people to stage conversion healings (i.e. get rid of homosexuality). It also showed how inhumanely maids are treated, even by religious people-i.e. lack of empathy for the maid's mom suffering from river blindness.

[Oreoluwa Ade · Rating 4 out of 5]

firstly I didn’t know it was a comic, i wasn’t expecting it to be like those books i read while growing up. I finished it in a sitting. A fun read.
I love how it highlighted Nigerians in different light. From the evil pastor with his fake miracles(something common) to the wicked wife that maltreats her maid then that woke family member and the fun aunt that is a safe place for her nephews and nieces.
It’s sad that the maid didn’t know what happened to her because of lack of sexual education amongst children.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. It follows various people living on the same street in Lagos. The author brings up major issues: homosexuality, rape, women’s rights, oppression in the name of religion, prosperity gospel and false prophets. This was the first graphic novel I’ve read by a Nigerian author and illustrator. The only thing I didn’t like about it was at times it felt like it jumped and I needed to take a second to figure out what was happening.

[Kellea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on Ajayi Crowther Street in Lagos, the story follows the lives of the Akpoborie family and reveals the turmoil and chaos that is led by desires, secrets, and lies that ultimately affects the whole neighborhood. I truly enjoyed the storyline, there is an element of authenticity and realness that mirrors real life to the T. Overall this story was a 10/10, and I would definitely recommend it, from the intense plot to the wonderful artwork it is a great read!

[Madeline S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful chronicle of the layman’s lives on a far from languid lane in Lagos. It took a few pages to become acclimated with the litany of characters but once I found my place, I was hooked and invested. Beneath the dragging humor and vivid exclamations lurked real and deep concerns familiar to any local community.

Format: print
Discovery: library

[River · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 rounded down. Nothing too special here, but maybe my English prof can make a case for this in class. For something published in 2019, it doesn't do anything that new in criticizing religion or misogyny or homophobia or any of their intersections for me to care enough.

[Ice Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thought this was humorous and very exciting to read. I also enjoyed how much it’s so on par with reality in Nigeria and the stories and characters just made me laugh. Very predictable too but I did really like it and laughed a lot. A book to get you out of a nasty slump.

[John Woakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the story here. It took me a bit to get into it but once hooked I couldn't put it down.

[Lady Tamakloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first graphic novel.
I loved it.
Very interesting characters, hilarious and intriguing as well.
Easy to read and a page turner

[Julie Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love a series featuring these characters. Especially best big sis, Mary.