Of all the promising writers exploring new dimensions of West Africa’s past and present, N. Jane Kalu stands out as the most interesting, moving, and critical. Kalu’s stories explore contemporary Nigerian society through its less savory elements: stolen elections, ambiguous paternities, money rituals, civil war, adultery, and politics. In a debut collection traversing the past three decades of Nigerian history, Kalu’s stories turn a critical eye to the past, asking essential questions about the nature of human behavior and the thirst for wealth, power, and love. In “The Lucky Bastard” Kalu queries the relationship between the nation-state and the family. How does a state election determine the path one mother will choose for her children? Why are some people born “lucky” and others not? At stake are the ways that people forge families and livelihoods during periods of tremendous uncertainty. It is an honor to introduce N. Jane Kalu’s work to Narrative’s readers.

—Sarah Balakrishnan

The Lucky Bastard

It was on a mid-June morning that the stranger first called. This was back when Kene wanted nothing more than to play with Grace, back when Rose the housemaid lived with them and their mother was still filled with hope for a better Nigeria. Grace was eight, and Kene ten—they were so wide-eyed, so young, always ready to erupt into laughter at the silliest things. That morning, they were all in the kitchen. Grace’s mum was cooking pepper soup and did a funny dance every time she added an ingredient, causing Grace and Kene to giggle until they had tears in their eyes. Even Rose the housemaid standing in the corner couldn’t help but smile.