Review on the book, To Live Again.

 Title of Book – To Live Again
 Author-            RayAnyasi
 Genre -             Fiction

Social and Historical context
This work of fiction has its story set in Northern Nigeria. It is a collection of memoirs from the diary of a serving National Youth Service Corps Member in the story by name Dami, who was posted to Bauchi state, Nigeria. It tells tales of survival and captivating dangerous undertaking in the deserts of Northern Nigeria.

Synopsis
The entire story starts out with the main character’s love letter to her fiancé, Kayode, back home in Ibadan. She writes to enlighten him on the recent development of things and all the eerie experiences he will encounter in the process of reading her diary.
She begins the story with a recount of camp excitement and her journey to settle in an abode far away from her comfort zone.
She braves it up as she already envisions settling into a rustic village where she would in another one year be offering mandatory teaching service to her fatherland and country. Her arrival at her place of primary assignment, a secondary school in Gumau Bauchi state introduces her to new friends and commences her arduous trail of experiences involving her and the rest of her corps mates.
She finds friendship in Bassey a fellow corps member. He appeals to her because he is more mature than the rest and reeks of intelligence. Being friends with him, she begins to find him attractive, but is held back by the recognition of her existing relationship with Kayode.
After the presidential elections a group of overzealous political minded misfits, who have been blinded by sentiments come for the corps members. This starts the voyage to safety for every one of them. It sees Dami been betrayed by friends and having no choice than to trust even the ones she would never have. While fighting to live again in the dangerous wild of the Sahara, she discovers hidden strength and hopes to live against the horrible encounters she has been made to witness.

Writing Style
This book is written in a first person narrative point of view.
This Work of fiction is dedicated to the Author’s friend who lost her life in the course of service to her country as a Youth Corps member.


Evaluation.
The story shows that the Author has a sound knowledge of the environment he wrote about.
His ability to infiltrate bits of the native dialect of the northern people into the story gave the body of work a rich yet distinct personality.
His infusion of slangs and mannerisms that are not clichéd also uphold the book in its own right.
Ray Anyasi is a thriller spinner and being the second book of the writer that I have read; it is safe to say that he has become the author who wields adventure like a shining wand.

Criticism.
As much as the book is a captivating one the author in my opinion and that of other readers who share this view of mine, should not have ended the book at the point he did. The reader would have loved to see the resolution of conflict settled properly.
It seemed as though the author had the intent to leave the reader hanging by the way side.

Review by Francisca Okwulehie.