Introducing "A Nose for Money" - The Latest Novel from Francis Nyamnjoh

Francis B. Nyamnjoh. A Nose for Money. Nairobi, Kenya: East African Educational Publishers Ltd. 2006. [ISBN: 9966-25-427-7; Price: Kshs: 350 US$: 5 Euros: 4]

Set in the fictional and reluctantly bilingual land of Mimbo in contemporary Africa, A Nose for Money revolves around the tragedy of Prospère, a semi-literate Mimbolander searching for the finer things in life. It offers a graphic depiction of the inevitable frustration of a society that places wealth above love. The author interweaves traditional African culture and modern politics to capture the urban African psyche in a compelling and heartrending style. This cautionary tale may shock the reader,but the haunting character of Prospère is a masterpiece.

Sample some excerpts from the text...

He had married her because of her beauty, and for the gentle care she had given him in her home village when he found himself tired and on the run, mistaken for a rebel by soldiers of the state. He had paid very dearly for her too, but he didn’t regret doing so, because he believed he had had good value for his money. The only thing that he regretted, however, was the fact that he wasn’t seeing as much of his Rose as he would have liked. Proof of this, he thought, was the fact that though they had known each other now for five months, Rose had not yet conceived. What else could this mean apart from that he wasn’t always around at the right times? Immaculate conceptions were just not possible these days. He had to be around and prove himself. Getting the timing right, that’s what he wasn’t doing enough of, he thought.
....
Marie-Claire lay awake beside the snoring Prospère, her mind at war with itself. One thing in particular worried her, how to tell him the truth about herself without risking his wrath. How would he react to the fact that she was Matiba’s mistress, and that the Minister had agreed to divorce his aged and wrinkle-faced wife to marry her? Would he understand the real reason why she had said ‘No’ to his proposal of marriage? It was true that she felt let down yesterday evening when he was unable to articulate the menu at L’Antoinette where they had gone to dine and wine. But would he believe that her refusal to go out this evening had nothing to do with yesterday’s embarrassment? The fact that she had persuaded him to bear half the cost of the dresses and shoes Marie-Louise sold her didn’t help matters. Wouldn’t he feel that she had simply used him for his money?
...
Another idea struck Prospère. This time he was less confident, but then, he was desperate. He took out a bunch of clean notes, and rapidly flicked through. They rustled in the process, catching the keen attention of the impudent young lady. Satisfied with the effect, he replaced it in the inner pocket of his western jacket – bought, as advised, to facilitate his encounter with the Minister. “I thought I didn’t take enough money for the day,” he said with a smile, as if to himself.
...
Time passed, and Charlotte and Chantal became pregnant again. Only Monique still anxiously awaited her own turn. All was beyond her comprehension. Why would God give her mates in marriage four children each, but deny her even a single companion? What was her crime? Didn’t she go to church each day of the week, and twice on Sundays? Didn’t she recite her prayers elaborately each night before she went to bed? Wasn’t she a faithful wife, quite satisfied with Prospère, the only man she had ever known?

Click here to view novel cover in PDF format

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Comments

[Achille Feudjo]

Dear Francis,

I was able to read a summary of your latest novel online and would like to read the entire book. I am also trying my hand at writing and would like to know if you can help me in that matter.

sincerely

[Immaculate Akwanga]

hi Doc, i read the sampled excerpts of your new novel-Nose For Money - online, and i can't wait to read the whole book. The chosen excepts are real teasers you know, and one won't wait to discover what is inside the book and w3ho the characters are.. i pray you keeep up with the good job you are doing to the public through your writings. More courage doc. When will the novel be in the market?

[SUSAN]

Hi Doc,
I was very impressed with the excerpt of the novel.That is a good piece of work.I don't know if u will be able to make me out but i was one of ur student in UB.Can u let me know when the entire content of the novel is out please let me grap a copy.Best regards.Susan

[DIARRA Mamadou Lamine]

My dear brother,

First, please excuse my broken english below. I'm coming, just a time to finish my reading of your good novel "a nose for money". I just read the part One. I'm very "impressioned" about your big sociological knowledge of african small people or the african below people!

I guess Mimboland and Mimbolanders can be anywhere in Africa (Mali,Senegal, etc...) for i.e. « Prospère in the clothes' Market bargaining with salesman can be any African in Sandaga Market in Senegal or Dabani in Mali bargaining with clothes sellers"

I particularly like your writing style with many african proverbs which show your deepest african wisdom.

Apreciate particularly your big knowledge of Women and their manners and
african houselholds problems.

And last but not least the attitude of Prospère when the "Scandale arrives..when he saw a man in his bed with his pretty little thing...Rose."

let's go reading !

Lamine

[Takor Kahjum Nixon]

DearestProf.,
This is just a courtesy to appreciate your literary finess.The novel,"Nose for Money",conveys meaning that is deeper than the author's intention.There is no gainsaying that it is fiction with a difference from style to content.The diction is simple,literary techniques well spread,names of characters and places carefully designed to convey meanings.The plot appears to be masked in, some instances to create suspense.The use of commentaries further illuminates the author's art in bridging fiction with reality.Summarily,the novel exposes the decadence of moral values in Mimboland which finds expression in vices like corruption, mediocracy embezlement,promiscuity,etc.The author has the Mimboland society in his palms.Best wishes for subsequent write-ups.
Kahjum
University of Yaounde 1-Cameroon.