Measuring Time

by Helon Habila

In the small Nigerian village of Keti live Mamo and LaMamo, twin sons of a domineering father. When one day the boys try and escape the village, only LaMamo succeeds – and in time becomes a soldier well-versed in the ways of life and death.
Mamo, too sickly to leave, remains in Keti finding solace in the arms of Zara while watching impotently as his detested father grows powerful and corrupt. Unable to wield a weapon, Mamo instead reaches for a pen and soon begins to write the true history of Keti and its people – all the time awaiting the return of his beloved brother, LaMamo...

(From Publisher).

Helon Habila studied Literature at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Measuring Time is his second novel – his first, Waiting for an Angel (2002) received a 2003 Commonwealth Writers Prize (Africa Region, Best First Book). Helon also won the MUSON Poetry Prize in 2000 and was the arts editor of the Vanguard Newspaper. He has held writing Fellowships at Radcliffe and the University of East Anglia.

Habila is an exceptional voice in African literature. His epic novel reaching from rural village life to African politics possesses a universal appeal.