Flowers and Shadows
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 | |
| Author | Ben Okri |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | fiction |
| Publisher | Longman |
Publication date | January 1, 1989 |
| Publication place | Nigeria |
| ISBN | 0-582-03536-8 |
Flowers and Shadows is a 1989 novel by Ben Okri.[1] The novel portrays the realities of poverty and social lifestyle in Lagos. The protagonist, Jeffia, initially sheltered in wealth, confronts the darker aspects of his family's history and society's injustices. Themes of innocence versus experience, the legacy of family sins, and the resilience of hope amidst despair frequently appear throughout the novel. Through rich language and diverse characters, the novel explores the concept of beauty and brutality, ultimately offering a message of triumphant optimism despite society's shadows.[2]
Flowers and Shadows focuses on the journey of Jeffia, a privileged young man in Lagos, Nigeria. who confronts the realities of his family's past and the societal injustices surrounding him. Despite his pampered upbringing, Jeffia becomes increasingly aware of the violence and poverty plaguing the city's poorer quarters.
As Jeffia looks into his family's history, he uncovers dark secrets and the legacy of his father's ruthless pursuit of power and wealth. The novel explores themes of innocence versus experience, as Jeffia grapples with the revelation of his father's violent nature and the impact it has had on his own life. Amidst the despair, Jeffia finds hope in Cynthia, a young woman whose resilience and love serve as a beacon of light in the darkness. Despite the odds stacked against them, their love story unfolds against the backdrop of Lagos's squalor and societal evils.
Throughout the narrative, the contrast between beauty and brutality (or "Flowers and Shadows") is explored. Despite the challenges they face, Jeffia and Cynthia maintain their resilience and optimism.[3]