In the book Hunting tears, Sharon Onyinye delves into the annals of literary realism, one which is well crafted with master storytelling ability, explicit details of subsequent events as well as articulate composition. Behind the reader’s mind resounds an inquiry about the title. Flipping through each page, one is constantly into worlds of satire, mysticism, anthropology collapsing into spellbound moments of suspense while the head remains buried in every single turn of events
On other hand, the title itself imposes a persona to pain and anguish which is opens all to the suspense inherent the narrative. One can’t but pause to ponder whether or not this brilliantly penned prose is the brainchild of a teenager. It is a laudable storytelling style which subtly transverses the world of imagination using words as the wheel of voyage. This is coming at a time when the nation laments of a shallow youth population which is indicative of the low reading culture. However, this book implies a vindication for the young people who will clear a path for themselves in proving them wrong
The writer uses idioms and wise in English and Igbo languages interchangeably as well as keeping a steady pace of events. She also employs the device of Pidgin English and slangs all in a bid to enhance easier comprehension for all. This book is a proficient tool for social re-engineering and a pacesetter for morals. It is also a novel for cultural renaissance which seek to state that the unity of the nation at a time like this absolutely non-negotiable. This work takes an inward gaze on the landscape.
It couldn’t have come at a time when writers toll the line of Diasporic tale telling rather than a conscious reflection of the motherland. By so doing, the writer addresses certain societal concerns such as child labour, single parenthood, and renegadism and peer pressure. In addition to this masterpiece, the book paints imageries that the common man may readily comprehend. The writer uses idioms and wise in English and Igbo languages interchangeably as well as keeping a steady pace of events. She also employs the device of Pidgin English and slangs all in a bid to enhance easier comprehension for all.
In her opening paragraph, she writes: “A good number of people gathered in the cemetery, all in black robes “.This is a similar culture world over, particularly in Africa as the last rite of passage to a deceased. By stating this therefore, she had fired the first shot.
Firstly, the writer had subtly intimated readers of a mystic sojourn rounded in few pages as well as introducing the travails suffered by Gozie whose mother was being interred. Secondly, it will inform all the irrepressible sorrows of his mother’s demise and having to continue with his furtive lifestyle as a vicious thief.
The writer visits Ilorin frequently, she juxtaposes the ancient town with the East. She reflects on admirable village life in the East associated with cool breeze of nature, multitudinous vegetation, and communal existence. Her good sense of the masquerading cultures, the style of dance and Christmas celebration in the Igbo heartland brings to fore her deep knowledge of the Igbo people. She tells of the village settlers and how they happily co-exist in a closely knitted ambience which affords them interference in other people’s affair. This meddling brought Chiekpu to the house of Gozie’s grandparents.
The story is one filled with sad turns as the title suggests. We see Gozie’s mother weeping at every turn. The first was at her husband’s illness and death. There is the motif of the agony of raising a child alone; fear of losing the child to sinister activities and even in death, her ghost shed tears with roving figures of herself to her only child.
As the readers will observe, fate (Chi) and destiny are set on two dimensional planes as an inclusion of the traditional belief system. We see Chiekpu, an adopted Child of Gozie’s grandparents replicated as an Ogbanje with enormous magical powers and special gifts. She is indicated as a spiritual titan and one gifting serves as a totem for wading off the Unseen. Unfortunately, she becomes hapless at the time of the haunting visit of Gozie’s mother. There is a clash of love, bitterness, regret and desire as the poor boy is caught between two divides: Life or Suicide.
It is instructive to note that the author omitted to intricate tale–Gozie’s father transition to his son which leaves us all to making certain inferences. Again, the faith of the grandparents is at first registered as Catholism while the practice and doctrine are of Pentecostalism without informing the reader about any possible conversion. Such detours may as well be forgiven as every work of art in itself is not a perfect work.
We may as well ask-Did the hunting tears ever dry? Or better paraphrase, why the Hunting tears? Either of the questions remain relevant as the title is a hydra-headed one with several sentiment and answers. The conclusion is for the reader to infer.