A REVIEW FOR THE BOOK DON'T BLAME THE MIRROR
NNOLI SYLVESTER CHIKELUE@sylvesternnoli140312
2 months ago
Being the most incredibly powerful tools for changing our perspectives and seeing parts of oneself that are hidden as they look out into the world, mirrors can evoke strong feelings and that’s the most efficient means which the author Sylvester Chikelue Nnoli used in order to inject a clearer insight of a historical narrative in his book, Don’t blame the Mirror. Some people seldom believe that things do happen for a reason but there are no phenomena in this universe that violates cause and effect. Some also argue and are of the opinion that insinuating that everything happens for a reason, would appear to them to be factually invalid. Different strokes for different folks! However, the book, Don’t Blame the Mirror narrates an extremely powerful tale of a young beautiful princess who despite the various curved balls which life kept throwing on her, still stands out strong like a rock with the impression that in most case scenario, destiny can be delayed and not to be denied completely.
The second chapter of the book spotlighted love for one another through the way it narrated the communal living back then in Ziada town where the first stage of the event was set. Yes, it was all about ‘one for all and all for one, through the tactful ways it denoted that the entire community were in the state of pandemonium through the sad event of the missing princess, Mmagwu. The burden wasn’t left for the princess’s immediate family members to bear alone as everyone was seen trying to proffer solution because they believe that the impending doom was on the entire community and not just on the particular royal family. No doubt though, it is always said that he who is being accompanied, normally stays in the front. Prince Obidike and Okobi whose heads were the playing ground for the sad events were seen at the forefront while the entire community were strongly behind them in their various endeavors to redeem their family name.
The road path wasn’t pleasurable to the abducted princess on the other hand. But her strong zeal and crave to live, kept the flame burning in her, despite every predicament she encountered. She often became weak in the body at interval due to the mayhem which was unleashed on her but never relented on being strong in her mind. That was the secret that help her navigated through the ‘lion’s den’.
The book, Don’t blame the Mirror reflects through couple of decades during the colonial era somewhere in the western part of Africa. This theme which has implications far beyond the obvious racial parallel is skillfully handled and the incidents of the story are wholly absorbing. Always keep your hopes high and strong for better days lies ahead is the message which the author, Sylvester tactfully dished out.
The high spirit of princess, Mmagwu, her humility and the obvious crave to survive, all climaxed naturally in the scenes of violence and predicaments, and followed by a retreat by which is both literal and figurative. Parts of this experience may have been told before but never with such freshness, intensity and power.
The author, Sylvester Chikelue Nnoli took his readers on a soul journey with this tale [Don’t blame the mirror] because he has complete control of his story and style. Watch it
