BOOK REVIEW: "TRAFFICKED"

A REVIEW OF THE BOOK ‘TRAFFICKED’
By ORJIEWULU AMARACHI ETHEL-MARY

Title of Book: Trafficked
Author: Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo
Place of Publication: Lagos, Nigeria
ISBN: 978-978-142-976-5
Year of Publication: 2008
Pagination: 311
Prize of the book :1000 naira
Reviewer: Orjiewulu Amarachi Ethel-Mary

A NAIL-BITER WITH A BEAUTIFUL STORY TO MATCH
“…So I walk the streets of Rome for Madam Dollar for three years and still claims I have not repaid my debt. There is no hope of escape. I do not speak Italian. I know no one in the city. I fear the police like plague as I don’t have valid documents, so I remain with Madam Dollar, biding my time, dreaming of freedom….On this occasion, he stops for a second to buy a newspaper and as soon as he turns his back, I open the door gently and get out. I do not look back until I have disappeared round the corner of the next street. I run and run and run until I’m out of breath…”

The above captures the story of Nneoma the lead character in the Prose who was trafficked to Italy and suffered utter slavery in the hands of her merchandiser. The story as presented by Akachi had it settings in Italy, U.K and predominantly Nigeria and tells about a young intelligent, strong and confident Nigerian Lady Nneoma who was engaged to Ofomata before she was lured to Europe for greener pastures – an adventure which later forced her into prostitution.

At her return to Nigeria after 6 years, she didn’t let humiliation, depression and all she encountered deter her, rather stood to her feet, worked towards self-discovery & improvement, and sought for University education. The result of her self improvement was especially felt in page 281 (line 6) where the author said “Instead of crying and begging, she had left the place with her head held high”.
The author adopted the technical use of sub plots in the story but all leading to the main plot which is "Trafficked".

In her characterization, Akachi employed familiar and progressive characters who remain important in their different roles throughout the story. The author adopted a very simple diction and use of vernacular languages and the style remained consistent with the audience’s choice and level as was observed in pages 80 – 84 where she used Igbo language, page 202 where she used Pidgin English, page 4 where she used Hausa language, pages 20, 24, 25 where she used Yoruba, etc. She as well used flashback to connect the past to the present. Her sentences and words were colourful enough to create imagery in the mind of the audience especially in the cases she hires poetic lines that best describes the message passed in pages 14, 134, 243 and they were used to draw out emotions from the readers.

Akachi used the novel to highlight the sufferings and travails young girls undergo in Italy and other European countries in the hands of traffickers. It also explores the dangers of trafficking and its trauma on the young girls. And by the mention of ‘Oasis Youth Centre for Skills Development’ – OYCSD, advocated for a ‘Therapy Centre’ for girls who might be victim of the ugly adventure, to help them in self-improvement and discovery.

Another theme evident in the story is corruption as seen in the University Ofomata attended. He was exploited by the lecturers and further attempt to defraud the students resulted to a riot which cost one of the student's life.  Above all, poverty which is the major reason. The high rate of emigration in the country in search of greener pastures abroad was also highlighted.

Finally I belaud the author's credibility in all techniques properly adopted,her diction, informal style, flashback,sub plot,third person point of view,evaluative themes, the character's connections and her wealth and flexibility of language. In as much as the novel can be uniquely understood by individuals or professional readers who have great insight to reading and experts in knowing the importance of different techniques used in the novel, so it's not recommendable for younger or fresh readers. I therefore give Akachi a huge "thumbs up".