African Psycho (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781933368504)

Its title recalls Bret Easton Ellis's infamous book, but while Ellis's narrator was a blank slate, African Psycho's protagonist is a quivering mass of lies, neuroses, and relentless internal chatter. Gregoire Nakobomayo, a petty criminal, has decided to kill his girlfriend Germaine. He's planned the crime for some time, but still, the act of murder requires a bit of psychological and logistical preparation. Luckily, he has a mentor to call on, the far more accomplished serial killer Angoualima. The fact that Angoualima is dead doesn't prevent Gregoire from holding lengthy conversations with him. Little by little, Gregoire interweaves Angoualima's life and criminal exploits with his own. Continuing with the plan despite a string of botched attempts, Gregoire's final shot at offing Germaine leads to an abrupt unraveling. Lauded in France for its fresh and witty style, African Psycho's inventive use of language surprises and relieves the reader by injecting humor into this disturbing subject.

Author: Alain Mabanckou
ISBN-10: 1933368500
ISBN-13: 9781933368504
Publisher: Soft Skull
Language: English
Published: 01/01/2007
Pages: 156
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.33lbs
Size: 7.96h x 5.08w x 0.43d

Review Citation(s):
New Yorker (The) 08/27/2007 pg. 89
Mosaic 06/01/2007 pg. 56
Library Journal 01/22/2007