Babatunde’s Heroic Journey: from Nigeria to Ukraine via Russia

Description

An exciting new novel from South African author, Nape Motana. Babatunde’s Heroic Journey is the story of Babatunde Okoronkwo, a Nigerian recipient of a Russian scholarship who does not return to his country once his schooling is complete. As the Soviet flag tumbles into a new epoch, he is consumed by zeal to be part of the transformation of a new society. He raises his hand and says, “Here am I, send me!”—having no idea where the answer to that prayer might lead him.

Hungry crocodiles trail him on his tortuous journey, determined to make minced meat of him and his dream. But Babatunde refuses to give in, even if following his faith is like signing a death warrant. The burden becomes back-breaking, so he asks to be blessed with a strong back.

When he’s eager to shout, “Hallelujah,” he senses a teeth-gnashing villain behind his back. And he’s reminded that the tiger is not tame and never changes its spots. When he reaches the point of no return, he ignores both real and false alarms—because he has something to learn about being an African hero in Ukraine.

Awards

The Wishing Shelf Category 4 (Young Adult) Award Finalist 2017

Nape Motana is the author of three novels, Fanie Fourie’s Lobola, Son-in-Law of the Boere, Hamba Sugar Daddy, and a non-fiction work, Sepedi Proverbs. His poem, ‘Love Conquers All,’ is published in The 2017 New England Poetry Anthology. Fanie Fourie’s Lobola was adapted into a movie which won the Jozi Film Festival and Seattle International Film Festival Audience Choice Awards. Hamba Sugar Daddy was adapted into a stage play.
Babatunde’s Heroic Journey: From Nigeria to Ukraine via Russia, is his fourth novel, a project which was submitted for his Ph.D. Creative Writing at the University of Pretoria.
Nape has worked as social worker, journalist, and a copywriter. In the 1980s he worked as a poet-playwright, short story writer, and an anti-apartheid activist. He lives in Pretoria, South Africa, and is married with four children.