Every Day Is For The Thief: A Captivating Fiction That Explores the Reality of Life

Every Day Is For The Thief is an exhilarating novel written by Nigerian author Teju Cole. Published in 2014, this fiction piece takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through the bustling streets of Lagos, Nigeria. With its insightful narrative and captivating storytelling, Cole intricately weaves together a tale that explores themes of corruption, disillusionment, and the complexities of identity.

Delving Into the Streets of Lagos

The novel is set in Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, and serves as a critical backdrop for the events that unfold throughout the story. Cole masterfully captures the chaotic energy of the city, painting a vivid picture of its vibrant street life and the challenges faced by its inhabitants.

Every Day Is for the Thief: Fiction

by Teju Cole(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	177 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

As the protagonist, an unnamed Nigerian living in New York City, returns to his homeland after fifteen years, he is immediately confronted by the harsh realities of life in Lagos. Through his keen observations and encounters with various characters, the reader is exposed to the multifaceted layers of the city.

Cole's meticulous attention to detail shines through as he describes the bustling markets, congested traffic, and the ever-present sense of uncertainty that permeates the environment. The author's vivid descriptions effectively transport readers to the chaotic but captivating streets of Lagos.

An Exploration of Corruption and Disillusionment

A recurring theme throughout Every Day Is For The Thief is the pervasive corruption that plagues Nigeria's socio-political landscape. Through the eyes of the protagonist, the reader witnesses numerous instances of bribery, fraud, and abuse of power.

Cole presents a searing critique of the Nigerian system, delving into the intricate web of corruption that affects every level of society. By shining a light on these issues, he compels readers to reflect upon the profound impact corruption has on the lives of ordinary citizens.

Moreover, the novel also explores the protagonist's growing disillusionment with his homeland. As he witnesses the stark disparities between the rich and the poor, he begins to question his own identity and the significance of his roots.

Through introspection and encounters with family and friends, the character grapples with a sense of belonging, ultimately leading to a somber realization that challenges his perception of Nigeria.

Identity and Belonging in a Complex World

One of the most compelling aspects of Every Day Is For The Thief is its exploration of identity and the search for belonging. The protagonist, straddling two cultures, yearns to reconcile his Nigerian heritage with his Western experiences.

Cole delves into the complexities of identity, illustrating how external forces, such as immigration and societal expectations, can shape one's sense of self. The novel prompts readers to reflect upon their own experiences with identity formation and the challenges that arise from navigating multiple cultural contexts.

The Impact of Every Day Is For The Thief

Teju Cole's Every Day Is For The Thief has received widespread critical acclaim since its release. The novel's thought-provoking narrative has resonated with readers all over the world, offering a glimpse into the realities of life in Nigeria while addressing universal themes.

Through its engaging storytelling and meticulously crafted prose, Every Day Is For The Thief invites readers to reflect upon their own notions of identity, belonging, and the intricate systems at play within their societies.

Every Day Is For The Thief is a captivating fiction that takes readers on an immersive journey through the vibrant streets of Lagos. Teju Cole's masterful storytelling, coupled with his exploration of corruption, disillusionment, and identity, makes this novel a must-read for all lovers of thought-provoking literature.

So, grab a copy of Every Day Is For The Thief, and get ready to embark on a captivating adventure that will leave you questioning the realities of the world we live in.

Every Day Is for the Thief: Fiction

by Teju Cole(Kindle Edition)

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4797 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	177 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY DWIGHT GARNER, THE NEW YORK TIMES • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY San Francisco Chronicle | NPR | The Root | The Telegraph | The Globe and Mail
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • FINALIST, PHILLIS WHEATLEY BOOK AWARD • TEJU COLE WAS NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICANS OF THE YEAR BY NEW AFRICAN MAGAZINE

For readers of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Michael Ondaatje, Every Day Is for the Thief is a wholly original work of fiction by Teju Cole, whose critically acclaimed debut, Open City, was the winner of the PEN/Hemingway Award and a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, and was named one of the best books of the year by more than twenty publications.

Fifteen years is a long time to be away from home. It feels longer still because I left under a cloud.

A young Nigerian living in New York City goes home to Lagos for a short visit, finding a city both familiar and strange. In a city dense with story, the unnamed narrator moves through a mosaic of life, hoping to find inspiration for his own. He witnesses the “yahoo yahoo” diligently perpetrating email frauds from an Internet café, longs after a mysterious woman reading on a public bus who disembarks and disappears into a bookless crowd, and recalls the tragic fate of an eleven-year-old boy accused of stealing at a local market.

Along the way, the man reconnects with old friends, a former girlfriend, and extended family, taps into the energies of Lagos life—creative, malevolent, ambiguous—and slowly begins to reconcile the profound changes that have taken place in his country and the truth about himself.

In spare, precise prose that sees humanity everywhere, interwoven with original photos by the author, Every Day Is for the Thief—originally published in Nigeria in 2007—is a wholly original work of fiction. This revised and updated edition is the first version of this unique book to be made available outside Africa. You’ve never read a book like Every Day Is for the Thief because no one writes like Teju Cole.

Praise for Every Day Is for the Thief

“A luminous rumination on storytelling and place, exile and return . . . extraordinary.”—San Francisco Chronicle

“Cole is following in a long tradition of writerly walkers who, in the tradition of Baudelaire, make their way through urban spaces on foot and take their time doing so. Like Alfred Kazin, Joseph Mitchell, J. M. Coetzee, and W. G. Sebald (with whom he is often compared),Cole adds to the literature in his own zeitgeisty fashion.”—The Boston Globe