Review of Every Day Is for the Thief by Teju Cole

Teju Cole gives an account of a stay in Nigeria, told by a Nigerian-American.

It purports to be a work of fiction, but could easily be construed as autofiction or nonfic. The journalistic approach is offset by the deeply humorous writing. You can feel the conflict within the narrator toward the inhabitants of this country as he is continually made the victim of their way of life. His experience in America spoiled him in the sense that he realized how inefficient and corrupt his ancestral home was. In short, everyone he meets is trying to rip him off, hence the title. Ripping people off is a way of life. In Third World Countries I have seen this to be true to a greater or lesser extent as it is tolerated by the government. Often the people have no choice but to continually ask for bribes and tips because they cannot live off what they make. Sometimes they are forced to take it further and accost you to shake you down. I find that to be an error in the system as much as an error in the individual’s behavior.

This account has the travelogue feel, the refreshing perspective and the social commentary I enjoyed a la Born a Crime by Trevor Noah. This was a light read which nonetheless packed a punch, allowing me to ponder on socioeconomic questions and historical contexts. An entertaining and idiosyncratic book.