Of This Our Country offers a rich exploration of Nigerian society and culture through essays; I read it shortly after finishing Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi because I wanted to continue exploring Nigerian writers. Although I had relatively little knowledge about Nigeria prior to reading this book, I found it accessible, enjoyable and enlightening. It’s rare for me to find a collection that earns more than three stars from me, but "Of This Our Country" proved to be an exception and I couldn't pinpoint any essays that I disliked. Representation Matters: The Oppressor in the Mirror by Yome Adegoke was probably my favorite because of its nuanced discussion on the intersection of race and class and of different experiences within the Nigerian diaspora.

One aspect I felt was lacking was a queer Nigerian voice - again, I might be saying this because of reading Akwaeke Emezi directly beforehnad, but I know the LGBT+ community in Nigeria does face significant issues and as far as I remember, that wasn’t even mentioned in passing; there definitely wasn’t significant exploration of that topic.

I really enjoyed this collection of essays and stories that reflect the experiences of the writers themselves.

I love a book where I’m able to feel that I’ve really learnt something, and this is one such book. Nigeria is completely out of my experience, and it was so interesting to get a glimpse into these peoples lives.

Absolutely fascinating, and I’m so glad that I’ve read it.

I enjoyed this collection of essays, although some more than others. Those I liked were the more factual, memoir-based ones, such as a visit to the market, funeral customs and a difficult journey made better by strangers.

There were other essays that were more whimsical, almost novel-esque and I feel that I didn't learn as much from them.

Overall, though a great mix!

24 Nigerian authors talking about what Nigeria means to them.
There are a number of famous accomplished Nigerian authors, my favourite amongst those here is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I will be looking out for some of the others also in future.

There were similarities in each of the author's tales, which is only to be expected given their remit.

I felt that these similarities reinforced each other rather than being repetitive.

Nigeria is an important country in the world and will probably be even more important in the future, and yet very few people in the UK know much at all about it..
Well done to the producers of this book, and a big thank you to each and every author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you Harper Collins for my earc of this book. This was a great opportunity to be introduced to new authors as well as reading some favourites!

A beautiful collection that contained both authors I already knew and loved, as well as new writers that I'm excited to know of and read more of their works.

This is a collection I'll be recommending to others for a long time - for the diversity of format, voices, and topics; for the beautiful language and descriptiveness, and for the clear connections and hope found in each author's writing.

Fine collection, but nothing amazing. I think I was expecting something a little more. Some anecdotes were very well written and engaging. Some were lacklustre.

I found it enjoyable and informative! It painted a vivid picture of a diverse, beautiful, much-loved country.

Within these pages, acclaimed and award-winning writers share memories and experiences of Nigeria that can be found nowhere else, bringing to the fore a country whose influence can be found everywhere.

A wishful, reflective, personal sharing of moments that connect 24 authors to a country as troubled as it is celebrated. Essays touching on history, forgotten bloodlines, old wives tales and problematic doctrines that still govern the culture of Nigeria.

Some parts of ‘Of This Our Country’ may feel frustrating to read, in a PTSD kind of way, by anyone who has ongoing physical interactions with the abrasive parts of Nigeria - what with the barrage of uninspiring news, backward policies, life threatening measures and desperate social politics of trying to exist in a country that at times seems determined to want to end you for sport.

I was determined to read this during the UK’s Black History Month, it also coinciding with the month Nigeria gained its independence. The month the blood of EndSARS protestors added crimson to the green white and green of the nation. It’s a bitter sweet month for many Nigerians and it was interesting to read how these authors chose to acknowledge and celebrate their heritage.

In the midst of sometimes uncomfortable nostalgia in these stories, there is sweetness and hope and a desire for a land worth visiting.

The Ankara inspired covers are beautiful aso-ebis for any true collector of owambe memorabilia.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful collection of truly personal essays from a wide range of Nigerian voices which captures so much of diverseness and complexities of this vast and populous country. Equally funny, sad, infuriating, thought-provoking, mesmerising and joyful. A fascinating and insightful exploration of Nigerian culture both familiar and brand new. I want to Party like a Nigerian - You'll need to read this book to fully understand what this means.!

A great book with a large number of essayists discussing Nigeria and its diaspora.

There's a huge variety of experiences but they crystallise around the political situation of the country since independence, and the disappointment many feel in the lack of progress that has been made, given the achievements of Nigerians outside Nigeria, and lots of commentary on why this must be; education, the power of education, and where it should take place; and parties and commemorations. I had encountered quite a few of the authors through my reading, and the bios in the back of the book (one disadvantage of the ebook is the difficulty in flicking to these as you're going along) make me want to approach a good few more of them.

My blog review in more depth: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/10/08/book-review-ore-agbaje-williams-and-nancy-adimora-eds-of-this-our-country/

Twenty four Nigerian writers have written about their experiences and memories of Nigeria in short and eminently readable essays. The insights they share into the country, its culture, politics and beliefs are fascinating. I gained a great deal from reading this book.

Every essay has a powerful voice and the collection resonates with the personal and the unique. This is an amazing read which I recommend very highly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Of This Our Country is a collection of 24 compelling non-fiction essays exploring Nigeria, including contributions from Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀, Helon Habila, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bolu Babalola, Nels Abbey, Caleb Femi and Chigozie Obioma. Editor Ore Agbaje-Williams and Nancy Adimora. It is due to be published the day before the day before Nigerian Independence Day and the eve of Black History Month in the UK. Through short memoirs and essays, it will see feature Nigerian writers around the world sharing personal stories of the Nigeria they know, and the Nigeria they hope for. Writing about the politics, culture, people and loved they have for their beloved country and how it is both revolving and evolving personally and politically.

They explore their heritage and their experience a memories of Nigeria as well as powerful reflections or feelings about it. It’s not possible to capture everything about Nigeria in one book, but seeing it through the eyes of some of the phenomenal writers it has produced brings us close. As a reader, I have long admired and read the authors in this collection. I found it fascinating to read as I adore learning about other cultures especially ones so different from our own, and each writer brought the location alive throughout their piece. Of This Our Country is a vital, interesting and accessible contribution to national conversations and attests to the centrality of storytellers in any society. Highly recommended.

24 writers share their experiences, memories and views of Nigeria. Whilst I did not enjoy all the essays I would recommend reading this book. Informative and fascinating.

To define Nigeria is to tell a half-truth. Many have tried, but most have concluded that it is impossible to capture the true scope and significance of Africa’s most populous nation through words or images.

And yet here, through personal essays from 24 of its writers, a more accurate picture comes into view: one that details the realities and contradictions of patriotism examines the role of class and privilege in Nigerian society, juxtaposes inherited tradition with the diasporic experience and explores the power of storytelling and its intrinsic link to Nigeria’s history.

To an extent, it's always difficult to review someone's own truth, especially one you've not lived yourself, but whether you're a reader who doesn't know much about Nigeria or someone who already has a love for the country and is looking for something familiar, this is definitely a must-read.

The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

A fascinating read that introduced me a to a lot of Nigerian authors and made me discover a lot about the culture and the way of living.
It was an excellent reading experience and it's strongly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

Within theses pages, acclaimed and award winning writers share memories and experiences of Nigeria that can be found nowhere else, bringing to the fore a country whose influence can be found everywhere.

Twenty four writers have written essays bringing their thoughts and observations about Nigeria. Each essay gives us a personal insight into Nigerian culture, superstition and politics. Some of the essays are really good. This is an intriguing and informative book to read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #TheBorough and the #MultipleAuthors for my AEC of #OfThisOurCountry in exchange for an honest review.

A gorgeously rich collection of honest stories from Nigerian writers introducing their country and their experiences.
Filled with personal essays, memories and impressions each one is unique and glorious.

This is a wonderful collection of essays from 24 acclaimed Nigerian writers sharing their personal reflections, memories and impressions of their home country.

Each essay offers a unique and personal perspective and collectively they cover a broad range of topics and themes that gives the reader a real sense of Nigerian culture and identity. There are essays which explore childhood, upbringing and parental roles, others which examine the landscape, wealth, class and food, and some which focus on the importance of storytelling and language and much much more.

The inclusion of so many voices in this collection is powerful and really does justice to Nigeria's history and the influence of its culture and traditions which are far-reaching. I really enjoyed learning more and deepening my understanding about this fascinating country through the words of writers who have a close connection and roots in Nigeria. A wonderful collection that I cannot recommend enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.