Uzodinma Iweala’s ground-breaking first novel titled “Beasts of No Nation”, is a mixture of gore and raw emotions compressed to create a tasteful narrative by a small African boy named Agu.
Iweala’s creative ingenuity is showcased throughout the novel as he uses strong African dialect and mispronunciations to bring the reader closer to Agu’s experience, which starts when a brutal civil war spills into his community and leaves him orphaned. After the death of his family a rebel army recruits him and places him under the leadership of man he calls the Commandant.
Iweala’s description of the Commandant is both terrifying and alluring. Right off the bat, the Commandant is depicted as a twisted evil soul shrouded in ambiguity. However, the loss of Agu’s family traumatizes him so much that he quickly starts to adore the Commandant as the man who saved his life and gave him a new family.
At one point, the Commandant sells Agu on joining his rebel group to avenge the death of his family by saying, “I will be taking care of you and we will be fighting the enemy that is taking your father.” Iweala’s writing implies that Agu’s adoration of the Commandant comes from fear rather than respect, fear that he will be ousted from the rebel group and for dead. Nonetheless, Agu obeys his higher officers and is seen as a diligent soldier.
While Agu’s actions include hacking a man to death, turning villages to piles of ash and looting, his internal dialogue shows a young boy plagued with guilt and remorse. He tries telling himself, “I am not a bad boy. I am not a bad boy. I am a soldier and soldier is not bad if he is killing.” Clearly, Agu is torn between what he is becoming and who he is.
The most interesting aspect of Iweala’s writing is that he captures this radical yet relatable transformation within Agu. Throughout the novel, the reader watches as an ordinary boy goes from playing with friends in the streets, to spilling pints of blood on those very same streets.
“Beasts of No Nation” is definitely a page-turner; even though the plot lacks complexity, Iweala’s crafty writing compensates for what could have been another conventional book about war in Africa. Unfortunately, the novel does have explicit content that leaves nothing to the imagination, as each gruesome act is meticulously detailed. In these instances, Iweala’s words can churn any stomach and make any eye start to water. After reading this novel, it is clear why director Cary Joji Fukunaga decided to pioneer the film adaptation that was released on Netflix in 2015.
If you’re a fan of the film, it is important to note that a few important scenes from the book failed to make it on screen, but this does not change the impact or thoughtfulness of the movie. Idris Elba is the perfect Commandant, while Abraham Attah’s portrayal of Agu deserves every ounce of praise it has received. However, the movie does lack the gore and emotional appeal that Iweala’s cunning writing depicts.
The movie pales in comparison to the book. The book engages the reader and is a Venus flytrap of emotions that will leave any reader either scratching their heads with frustration or wiping away tears. Reading “Beasts of No Nation” doesn’t feel like reading a carefully orchestrated novel; instead, it feels as if you have stumbled upon a diary filled with secrets and experiences. Right up until the very end, the intimacy between the reader and Agu is maintained, which is the best part of this book. ‘”Beasts of No Nation” takes storytelling to another level by bringing the reader as close to the action as possible. In this regard, Iweala’s writing is unparalleled.
