Review of Adoka Son

[Pablo Josue Mendia]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Adoka Son" by Ad'Obe Obe.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Adoka Son: Childhood Memoirs of an African by Ad’Obe Obe is a memoir about Obe’s childhood experiences, cultural background, and the influence that Europeans had on his village in Ogobia, Nigeria.

Obe begins with a humorous incident of his pants falling in front of the visiting Catholic Bishop at a significant religious ceremony. This moment shows childhood innocence and the contrast between traditional Idoma (an ethnic group in Ogobia) and Catholic-European customs. After recounting this incident, Obe shares how he ended up with contrasting names, like Emmanuel, Alechenu (the unexpected), and Eche-k’Oibo (“The World of the Whiteman”). The various names given to him by several family members have a unique religious or spiritual significance. Consequently, the disagreements about his name show us the complexity and richness of Idoma customs.

Obe shows us the pride and resilience of their cultural identity. For example, Papa’s nonchalance about Obe’s accidental exposure before the Bishop and Grandma Ob’Ikwu’s distrust of Anglo-Europeans both mark the cultural unity of the Adoka family. In addition to familial relationships, Obe delves into societal expectations. For example, Mama’s encounter with Grandma Ob’Ikwu reflects traditional views on fertility and maternal expectations in Idoma society.

Obe also shows the spiritual and cultural rites of passage within the community, such as Grandpa Achadu giving Obe a traumatic initiation in the Thunder Hut (a cultural shrine) and his ritualistic confrontation with Inancha (“super devil”). These rites show personal trials and communal affirmations of identity. In addition to personal anecdotes, the text paints a broader picture of the Idoma people's interactions with European missionaries and the cultural shifts brought about by these encounters. The presence of Catechist Gregory and his influence on Obe’s family shows the difficulty between accepting European ways of living and preserving their rich culture and identity. Moreover, the book contains descriptions of traditional ceremonies, ancestral spirits, and familial lineage that teach us about Idoma’s cultural heritage.

I liked that Obe included many stories and folktales in the memoir, which the community turned into songs. For example, “The Ogli-versus-Ufada Story” (a story about never rejecting Alekwu, their deity) is turned into a catchy tune. I also liked that Obe shows us many Nigerian words, like Och (Chief) and Ufada (Father). I deducted a star, however, because the book contained several grammatical errors, including missing determiners. Aside from its editing, I found nothing I disliked about this book.

Overall, Adoka Son: Childhood Memoirs of an African shows us a story about how a particular village lived before and after Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule in 1960. I recommend this book to fans of historical memoirs and readers who wish to learn about a unique and fascinating culture. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

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Adoka Son
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[Areena David]

The book is rich in information, offering a deep and fascinating insight into the cultural traditions and values of the Idoma people.

[Liam Patel]

I read the review for "Adoka Son: Childhood Memoirs of an African" and it seems like an interesting and informative memoir. The author shares personal stories and cultural experiences, highlighting the complexity and richness of Idoma customs. The book explores the influence of European missionaries and the challenges of preserving cultural identity. I appreciate the inclusion of Nigerian words and folktales in the narrative. Although there were some grammatical errors, overall, it appears to be a good read. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 5. Powerful emotions, stirred something deep within me.

[Boring Pigeon]

"Adoka Son: Childhood Memoirs of an African" seems like a highly intriguing and culturally-rich memoir based on this review. The author, AdObe Obe, shares captivating anecdotes about their childhood experiences in Ogobia, Nigeria, and the influence of European missionaries on their village. The story vividly portrays the pride and resilience of the Idoma people's cultural identity, while also exploring societal expectations and spiritual rites of passage within the community. While the review mentions some grammatical errors, the overall impression of the book appears positive. I would rate it 4 out of 5. Unpredictable twists, kept me on edge.