The Famished Road (1991)

The Famished Road is the first part of a trilogy (with Songs of Enchantment (1993) and Infinite Riches (1998)) following a “spirit-child” (or abiku) living in Africa (most likely Nigeria) named Azaro (a shortening of Lazarus.) The long, dream-like and poetic novel explores Azaro’s connection to a world of magical and often grotesque spirits, ingrained in the traditions of his culture, as well as his relationship with his parents, struggling in poverty in a rat-infested room in a compound controlled by an unpleasant landlord.