| When someone who deals with economic policies | | | | Oby, a devout catholic and other Catholics in |
| takes up the pen to write a novel one wonders | | | | Isiakpu refused the decision of the church |
| what sort of result is expected from an | | | | concerning Obeta who was accused of murder. |
| economist. The author begins his literary career | | | | They rather chose to adhere to tradition which |
| where most beginners begin-with a novel. It is a | | | | ostracizes anyone accused of murder who |
| mode that enables the writer to explore the | | | | refuses to swear before the village idol. Also the |
| conflicts of life in simple uncomplicated episodes. | | | | Igwe who should be a custodian of the culture |
| And that is what Osi Ogbu achieves with a | | | | and traditions of Isiakpu jettisoned tradition when |
| concise and direct language in this book, The Moon | | | | it stood on his way to success. Again modernity |
| Also Sets. | | | | represented by Oby was not clear cut, as she |
| The plot revolves around a widow (Mama Oby) | | | | was always quick to defend traditional views and |
| and her daughter (Oby) who struggles to survive | | | | values in her discussions with Chris. |
| in a male- dominated world. The book describes | | | | The book is an easy- to- understand fiction |
| how Mama Oby tries hard to bring up her children | | | | written in a free flowing style. Osi Ogbu addresses |
| alone while dealing with the requirements of | | | | life's many vagaries-sadness, joy, success, failure, |
| tradition as shown by Pa Okolo. She believes in | | | | victory and defeat; in this book. He embellished |
| the importance of education and spares no effort | | | | the novel with rich Igbo idioms, fables and |
| in helping her daughter get university education. | | | | proverbs. |
| The book can be described as a conflict of | | | | This book was thoroughly enjoyable and I |
| tradition, modernity and Christianity. People are | | | | recommend it unreservedly. If you are looking for |
| constantly faced with situations where their | | | | an African novel to read this month, read The |
| actions and words are assessed by the three | | | | Moon Also Sets. |
| competing value systems. In the novel Mama | | | | |