Podcast Summary: Episode 656 - Novelist Chigozie Obioma on Literature, Life, and His Love for Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day

Podcast Information:

• Title: The History of Literature
• Host: Jacke Wilson
• Episode: 656 - Featuring Chigozie Obioma
• Release Date: November 29, 2024
• Description: Amateur enthusiast Jacke Wilson explores the history of literature with various guests. In this episode, he welcomes back novelist Chigozie Obioma to discuss his literary journey, his admiration for Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day, and his latest projects.

Introduction and Episode Structure (00:01 – 01:01)

The episode begins with brief mentions of podcast affiliations and advertisements, which are seamlessly skipped to dive into the main content. Host Jacke Wilson introduces the episode as an encore performance with returning guest Chigozie Obioma, focusing on Obioma’s latest novel, The Road to the Country, and revisiting their previous conversation from February 2021.

Interview with Chigozie Obioma (01:01 – 65:18)

Chigozie Obioma’s Background and Literary Journey (12:18 – 15:34)

Chigozie Obioma, hailed as the "heir to Chinua Achebe" by the New York Times, shares insights into his upbringing in Akure, Nigeria, and his journey into literature. He discusses his large, eccentric family and the societal pressures of Nigeria in the 1980s and 90s to limit family size under military directives. Obioma reflects on his position as the fifth child and how his family's dynamics influenced his first novel, The Fishermen.

"So I'm the fifth. So I'm the fifth. So ... I think it was more so some kind of need to escape as well."
— Chigozie Obioma [15:27]

Discovery of Storytelling and Inspirations (16:20 – 21:59)

Obioma recounts a pivotal moment during his childhood when, while hospitalized, his father narrated a story from Amos Tutuola's The Palm-Wine Drinkard. This experience ignited his passion for storytelling and inspired him to pursue writing despite his parents' initial skepticism. His father’s encouragement during the Booker Prize nomination solidified his path as a novelist.

"That was the first time I became interested in stories. And ... I wanted to join this flowing ocean of narratives."
— Chigozie Obioma [17:38]

Analysis of Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (24:01 – 35:49)

Obioma delves deep into Ishiguro's Remains of the Day, describing it as a "quiet" yet profoundly layered novel. He praises Ishiguro's ability to peel back layers of the protagonist Mr. Stevens's character, highlighting the use of irony and the exploration of denial and self-deception.

"The blinker view that it seems to have, you cannot. So there's a gray area."
— Chigozie Obioma [28:02]

Obioma emphasizes how the novel transcends its specific setting—1950s England—to offer universal insights into human nature and personal limitations.

"We have this sense of being wholly, endlessly and insanely immersed in these ... shadows."
— Chigozie Obioma [38:56]

Writing Philosophy and Teaching (35:49 – 45:19)

Discussing his approach to writing, Obioma highlights the importance of character-driven narratives over plot-driven stories. He compares his method to that of other renowned authors like Jhumpa Lahiri, emphasizing immersion into the character's inner life to organically develop the plot.

"The best fiction occur when plot in its own self is meaningless if it is not a function of character."
— Chigozie Obioma [35:49]

He also shares his teaching philosophy, encouraging young writers to focus on creating profound, character-centric stories rather than seeking explosive, high-stakes plots.

"You just need to give the character something as simple, even archetypal, but let them really want it."
— Chigozie Obioma [43:55]

Chronicling Culture and History (45:19 – 56:02)

Obioma discusses his role as a chronicler of Nigerian and West African culture through his novels. He contrasts his work with Ishiguro's, noting how both authors use their narratives to explore and preserve their respective cultures amidst external influences.

"I'm trying to monumentalize a piece of Igbo civilization, West African civilization..."
— Chigozie Obioma [46:14]

Alexander Project and Digital Storytelling (57:01 – 60:09)

Highlighting his involvement with the Alexander digital storytelling platform, Obioma explains how his nonfiction narrative When the Risen Dust Settles was adapted into a multimedia experience. He praises the collaborative process with actors and producers, noting how the adaptation enhanced the emotional depth of his story.

"I cried at the end, ... it made the story come so much alive."
— Chigozie Obioma [58:23]

Hypothetical Writing Challenge and Future Projects (60:09 – 64:34)

In a creative twist, Jack Wilson poses a hypothetical scenario where an eccentric billionaire wants Obioma to co-write a character akin to Ishiguro's butler from Remains of the Day. Obioma entertains the idea, expressing interest in exploring historical African settings, such as 11th-12th century Africa, drawing parallels to the rich storytelling traditions of his culture.

"I would like to set a story in that time and place."
— Chigozie Obioma [61:49]

Notable Quotes:

• Chigozie Obioma [15:27]: "I think it was more so some kind of need to escape as well."
• Chigozie Obioma [17:38]: "That was the first time I became interested in stories. And ... I wanted to join this flowing ocean of narratives."
• Chigozie Obioma [28:02]: "The blinker view that it seems to have, you cannot. So there's a gray area."
• Chigozie Obioma [35:49]: "The best fiction occur when plot in its own self is meaningless if it is not a function of character."
• Chigozie Obioma [43:55]: "You just need to give the character something as simple, even archetypal, but let them really want it."
• Chigozie Obioma [46:14]: "I'm trying to monumentalize a piece of Igbo civilization, West African civilization..."
• Chigozie Obioma [58:23]: "I cried at the end, ... it made the story come so much alive."
• Chigozie Obioma [61:49]: "I would like to set a story in that time and place."

Conclusion and Closing Remarks (64:34 – 65:18)

Jacke Wilson wraps up the episode by thanking Chigozie Obioma for his insightful contributions and congratulating him on his successes. He hints at upcoming content related to James Joyce's Dubliners and the film adaptation of The Dead, promising a jam-packed December with literary discussions.

"Thank you so much, Jackie. Such a wonderful time I've had."
— Chigozie Obioma [64:23]

Key Takeaways:

• Influence of Personal History: Obioma’s upbringing and familial relationships deeply influence his storytelling and thematic choices.
• Admiration for Remains of the Day: The novel serves as a significant inspiration, showcasing the power of subtlety and character depth in literature.
• Character-Driven Narratives: Emphasizes the importance of developing rich, multifaceted characters to organically create compelling plots.
• Cultural Preservation: Obioma uses his fiction to chroniculate and preserve West African culture and history amidst global influences.
• Innovative Storytelling Platforms: His involvement with the Alexander project highlights the evolving landscape of digital and multimedia storytelling.

This episode offers a profound exploration of Chigozie Obioma's literary philosophy, his inspirations drawn from both his Nigerian heritage and international literature, and his innovative approaches to storytelling in the digital age.