Oil on Water

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"Oil On Water" redirects here. For the use of oil to calm waves, see storm oil.

Oil on Water is a 2010 petrofiction novel by Nigerian author Helon Habila.[1] The novel documents the experience of two journalists as they try to rescue a kidnapped European wife in the oil landscape of the Niger Delta.[2][3] The novel explores themes of both the ecological and political consequences of and petrodollars in the delta.[3][2][4]

The novel was well received. Orion magazine called the novel successful, "a powerful work, one that reaffirms that art done well is always big enough to contain politics".[3] A review in the Guardian called the book a "powerful, accomplished third novel [which] displays a growing pessimism about journalism's capacity to effect change."[2]

Awards[]

  • 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize, shortlist[5]
  • 2012 Orion Book Award, shortlist[6]
  • 2012 PEN/Open Book Award, shortlist[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Riddle, Amy. "Petrofiction and Political Economy in the Age of Late Fossil Capital". Mediations: Journal of the Marxist Literary Group. 31 (2).
  2. ^ a b c "Oil on Water by Helon Habila | Book review". the Guardian. 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Orion Magazine | Oil on Water". Orion Magazine. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
  4. ^ Egya, Sule Emmanuel (2017). "Literary Militancy and Helon Habila's Oil on Water". Research in African Literatures. 48 (4): 94–104. doi:10.2979/reseafrilite.48.4.07. ISSN 0034-5210.
  5. ^ "Helon Habila, Nigerian Literary Genius". LifeAndTimes News. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  6. ^ Omoniyi, Tosin (2017-11-11). "Helon Habila, Maaza Mengiste named The New American Voices award judges - Premium Times Nigeria". Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  7. ^ "Helon Habila". Lannan Center for Poetics and Social Practice. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
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