ONE STONE, ONE BRIDE, AND A ZOMBIE by Nana S. Achampong from #Ghana is not merely a novel; it is an electrifying plunge into the raw, often uncomfortable, heart of contemporary Ghanaian society.
Heralded by early readers as “a fine first novel with everything” and a “blistering” work reminiscent of Kojo Laing, Achampong delivers on these promises with a narrative that is both audacious and deeply human.
The narrative introduces a vibrant cast of “real-to-life characters”, from the innocent Oko and Larepɔ, whose very birth is entangled with spiritual intervention, to the privileged yet flawed Bannaman-Mays and Sowa families of Korle-Bu.
The lives of these individuals, disparate yet intrinsically linked by fate and shared Ghanaian realities, explode when they are “thrown together”.
Achampong doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of 1990s Accra – the dumsor (erratic power supply), the economic hardships leading to mass migration, the burgeoning crime, and the pervasive corruption that touches every layer of society.
Yet, amidst this cynicism, there’s a compelling undercurrent of resilience, a reflection on what constitutes “Ghanaianness”, and the enduring power of traditional beliefs alongside modern aspirations.
The prose is vivid, often visceral, drawing the reader into the narrative with a sense of “solid, navigable reality”.
ONE STONE, ONE BRIDE AND A ZOMBIE is a profoundly important book.
A “compelling, engrossing, intriguing debut” that challenges sensibilities and forces introspection.
The book is available on Amazon.com.
