21st century stuff

Ben Okri

A poet and novelist born in 1959 in Minna, Northern Nigeria.

Igbo and Urhobo

Ethnic backgrounds of Ben Okri's parents; his mother is Igbo and his father is Urhobo.

Civil War in Nigeria

A significant event that influenced much of Okri's early fiction, as he witnessed political violence firsthand.

Booker Prize for Fiction

An award won by Okri in 1991 for his novel "The Famished Road."

"The Famished Road"

Okri's novel published in 1991, set in a Nigerian village and the first in a trilogy about Azaro, a spirit child.

Trilogy

A series of three novels by Okri, including "The Famished Road," "Songs of Enchantment," and "Infinite Riches."

"Songs of Enchantment"

The second novel in Okri's trilogy, published in 1993.

"Infinite Riches"

The third novel in Okri's trilogy, published in 1998.

"Astonishing the Gods"

A novel by Okri published in 1995.

"Dangerous Love"

Another novel by Okri published in 1995, which won the Premio Palmi in 2000.

Premio Palmi

An award received by Okri for "Dangerous Love" in 2000.

"In Arcadia"

One of Okri's later novels, published in 2002.

"Starbook"

Okri's latest novel published in 2007.