Format: Paperback 195 pages
Date of publication: 2009
Publisher: Alder Media
ISBN: 978-978-086-553-5

The Beginning - Chapter 1

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There is some truth in Lewis Nkosi’s assertion that what is expected of any novelist with pronounced sense of history is to “make the past present and bring the distant near.” The duty of the historian is to record and interpret as objectively as humanly possible the events for the past. But the historical novelist cannot be so restricted, for he is at liberty to interpret history to suit his purpose. He could dramatise and reconstruct moments in history which he considers important to the shaping of his people’s destiny. Above all his interpretation of history is creative and does not have to comply strictly with historical reality. He could manipulate dates or the chronology of events without impairing the credibility of his historical and artistic vision. A historical novel therefore is not a text book of history but an imaginative reconstruction of history. This point is crucial to the appreciation of history by the African historical novelist.

080808 the latest book by Leke Alder is a historical novel which dwells on some high points of the Nigerian history to tell his story of freedom, corruption, hate and love. It belongs to the genre of creative writing called faction as the author uses history to recreate reality by mixing fact with fiction
Since a historical novel is one whose setting, events and characters are taken from the past, 080808 is none different from other historical novels before it. While notable historical novels like Sunset at Dawn by Chuwuemeka Ike and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun dwell mainly on the history of the Nigerian Civil War, 080808 dwells on political issues that rocked the nation’s boat in the early 1990s.

Historically, the novel is set in the immediate past yet it still brings near the distant past. It tells the story of the protagonist, Larry Hamilton, an intelligent and successful brand consultant who lives in Ingera, his involvement in politics through the Committee of Twelve and the eventual triumph of the group over the dictatorial leadership of General Ajuwaya.

The novel is a biting satire yet tragical account of the dark political swoop that fell on the Nigerian state when the 1992 presidential election won by MKO Abiola was annulled. It exploits the evilry of life time leadership that is the synonymous with most African leaders. 

Through the omniscient narrator, the reader is taken into the inner workings of the characters. The narrator brings to bare the psychological state of Larry in the rather long conversation he had with Nigella on the relationship between the scientific and biblical account of creation and the purpose of man.

Seldom has a writer been able to generate such passion, anger and sympathy for the people’s sufferings while appearing undetached and involved like Alder does. Alder intrudes through the omniscient narrator one hears him speak in his own voice through Larry, the protagonist. Everything is presented through the voice of the narrator and at time one hears the voice of Alder, through whom the reader is taken into the dirty game of politics and the lives of those involved in the leadership of Ingera. Everything is presented through the interaction of the character and several scenes are presented which reveals the brutality of General Ajuwaya and his associates. The privation and suffering of men and women in Ingera is tellingly rendered. Alder writes with brevity without any intention to bore the reader. The 52 chapters of the narrative are brief and the language is concise.

080808 is a tribute to Alder’s power of characterisation. Momentous and absorbing though the events are, the characters are not dwarfed by them. A story of such epic proportion will inevitably feature the kind of characters employed by Alder. Virtually all the characters in the novel are significant and they stand out starkly. The novel is a study of individual but collective suffering and fortitude in the face of adversity, and Alder interweaves with the events and personal tragedies of a number of characters.   

Like the Kenyan novelist, Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Alder gives a central place to women in his narrative. One does not find the stereotypes of the sophisticated city girls or the rural women characteristic of the works of Cyprian Ekwensi, John Munonye or even that of Leopold Sedar Senghor and David Diop of Senegal. Alder creates in Racheal Hamilton a complete modern African woman who is caring, resourceful, fearless, yet she is sensitive to needs of her children.

As a historical novel, 080808 is an imaginative reconstruction of history and the author includes in the narrative some pictures to give credence to some points he raises. For instance, Larry’s explanation on his discovery of the Templeton Foundation is accompanied by the photograph of the web page. The same could be said of the of the photographs of the front page of Business Day and This Day newspapers the author uses to back up his claim on the kind of clients HDL has on its stable. This therefore brings to mind the one million dollar question asked by literary critics that how distant is an author from his work? For Alder, one could say that he is much more involved in this narrative. He is seen in the main character, Larry and this perhaps explains the similarity in the initials of the first names of the two, Leke and Larry. Most of Larry’s experiences are Leke’s as seen on page 41 where the author writes: “(Editors note: The names of the other members of the committee are withheld for security reasons…. To reveal their real names is to jeopardise their interests as well as Leke Alder’s source, Talking Drum in the CIA.)” This is absolutely unnecessary since the text is novelistic in its approach. The author is at liberty to use fictitious names or not to disclose the identity of the other members. He does not have to spell it out. The narrative also suffers from typographical errors that must have missed the eye of the editor. For instance bait is spelt as ‘bat’ on page 26 while on page 65 entertainment artistes is spelt ‘artists.’!
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FUNKE ADETUTU

A perfect blend of facts and fiction.
Falana Lanre

Hi, just finishing your book. As predicted, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congratulations!
Jimi Agbaje

It's a page turner. What a resounding repudiation of Darwin albeit in a casual romantic evening with Nigella! Yes, Rachael must be the happiest momin the world. Could this be a 'factionalised' autobiography Mr 'Hamilton'?

General 'Ajuwaya' must be turning in his grave by now! Great book as always. I agree with Dan Foster - will make a great movie. 'Larry Hamilton' is a unarguably a great man.

I went through the excerpts from your yet to be released novel and i know it will be a great read. I imagined it would also be interesting if you got people like Bruce Willis, "the action, thriller guys" to make a movie out of it.

"Your pattern of passion is a purpose pointer", i love that phrase! I think that's going to be my new phrase, permit me to make it my slogan.

I must not forget to mention Roselyn, she must have been very big, geez 40DD? I can only imagine. No wonder the general lost himself in between. This is just to say, i'm waiting for your book to be released on the 8th of August, 2008. Thumbs up!

Chigozie Onyekwelu

Flipped through a few of your books, Bizkit was good, your photographs are awesome, lets get some insight into what 080808 is about. :(l missed The Platform, but got the Audio Book versions of The Event, really nice one!!!
Spencer Soyemi

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