Book Review Oil on Water 
by Helon Habila
Hamish Hamilton, pb, £12.99, Fiction
Book Review: Oil on Water
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Rufus is an ambitious young journalist on the search for the ‘perfect story’. When the wife of an oil engineer is kidnapped within the political minefield of a corrupt Nigeria Rufus thinks this could be his chance. Along with his long time hero turned alcoholic Zaq, their story becomes more dramatic and dangerous than either of them could have imagined.
Habila’s third novel, though at times disappointingly predictable, manages to demonstrate this clearly talented author as a master of storytelling. The use of first person narrative allows an at times harrowing writing style which manages to be both personal and elegant. With its use of almost painstaking detail, Oil on Water is a rare novel that manages to successfully take you to the outback of a corrupt African society in a way that rivals Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
Focusing on large poignant themes, Oil on Water manages to face these themes head on and highlight the dangers of corruption and greed.
Posted on Wednesday 1st September 2010
Hattie Owen
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