Oil on Water: A Novel

Oil on Water: A Novel

<p><strong>€œThe new generation of twenty-first-century African writers have now come of age. Without a doubt Habila is one of the best.€€•Emmanuel Dongala</strong></p> 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, <em>Oil on Water</em> explores the conflict between idealism and cynical disillusionment in a journey full of danger and unintended consequences.<br /><br /> As Rufus and Zaq navigate polluted rivers flanked by exploded and dormant oil wells, in search of €œthe white woman,€ they must contend with the brutality of both government soldiers and militants. Assailed by irresolvable versions of the €œtruth€ 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.