I Do Not Come To You By Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

This one is humorous and tickles you from the very first sentence. Especially if one is born or raised in Africa, then can relate to the depicted situations.  It accurately and vividly describes the African/Nigerian conditions which eases one’s ability to be in the scenes as they unfold.

The book is generally about online scammers. How life brings people to that ‘profession’, how they practice it, how they live their lives in it, how it affects those around them and how even they- the scammers struggle with their conscience as they engage in it. The book is centered on a brilliant young man with a good upbringing in a family full of integrity but in poverty. He has hopes that education will bring him out of poverty, does everything right but life disappoints him. He starts to do unusual businesses and sees what money can do, the convenience it can give and its ability to almost buy love or some semblance of it.  It shows how he wants to be there for his family with his new acquired wealth, letting go of his hopes and dreams to take care of his family and the pain felt when family members do not recognize his sacrifices. It talks of love, falling in love, how it changes over time by the occurrences of life and the struggle and time it takes to let go of it. That love is not always a fairy tale.

The book also shows how genuine love can grow, console, support or break a person. Be it a mothers love, romantic/partners love, sibling love e.t.c. It also shows how life can sometimes seem to be unfair in that one can be the best in something e.g school but that does not guarantee the next course of life. Success is as a result of hard work but also to some extent, a hint of luck.

The book shows the nature of African households where growing up, there is always an extended member of family around. A cousin or an uncle here and there who is always a part of the family and how they often tend to shape the lives of the young ones. The author centers on Kingley’s life as it illustrates the deplorable state of third world economies. That countries may not be resource poor, but citizens live in dire situations due to extreme corruption that leads to an unfortunate state of dysfunctional and un-affordable systems such as healthcare systems, terrible road networks, unemployment e.t.c. These are conditions that Kingsley faces that despite his brilliance and intelligence, leads him to a line of work he never thought he would be part of. It shows the importance of money in love, in education, in employment and even for one’s dignity.

The book is however very humorous and warm. The characters and their situations, even the sad unfortunate ones are brought out with such comedy. It also brings out some ironic situations such as Cash Daddy being set out as a villain but in some sense he is also a hero. Using what people seem to view as evil to effect good and better change for people and his family; some of whom have disowned him. It shows how people can love and be loyal to the most surprising of people. How humanity and greed can co-exist where one offers to help a stranger as long as they also benefit in the process.

Interestingly, the book shows the conditions in Nigeria, how people view Nigerians, how Nigerians view Nigeria and even how Nigerians living abroad having come back home, view Nigeria. How corruption breeds corruption, poverty breeds poverty even to the grass root level where basic services cannot be obtained without a bribe.

This book has a surprise ending which made me realize the attachment I grew to an unexpected character. It showed that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I enjoyed this read, the laughs and the very witty wording. A must read for anyone, would highly recommend.