Cole, Teju: *1975

Every Day Is for the Thief, 2007 - Information About the Book

General Information | Facts | Commentary | Articles

General Information
- Good for Discussing:
  Traditional Nigerian values and modern urban corruption
  Complexities of Identity
  Moral Compromise in a Rapidly Changing Society
- An unnamed narrator returns to Lagos after 15 years abroad, confronting widespread corruption and seeking to reconnect with his homeland while reflecting on Nigerian society's complexities and his own identity. See Summary.
- “Every day is for the thief, but one day is for the owner” is a Yoruba proverb. It is most often used to refer to embezzling politicians. It reinforces the idea that you can lie, cheat, and steal, but no matter how long you get away with it, you will, someday, be caught. It trusts that justice will prevail.
- The novel was selected by Teju Cole as appropriate for SwissEduc readers/visitors.
- Information from Wikipedia (Good for basic facts and quick orientation)
- Teju Cole’s inspiration for writing “Every Day Is for the Thief.”
  
  Teju Cole’s "Every Day Is for the Thief" was deeply influenced by his personal experiences, particularly his return to Lagos, Nigeria, after 13 years of living abroad. This homecoming served as a profound shock to his system, as he encountered both the familiar and unfamiliar aspects of the city where he grew up. The visit became a way for him to grapple with the changes in himself and in Lagos, as well as the aspects of the city that had remained unchanged. Cole described this period as an intense and transformative time, during which he obsessively documented his observations and reflections in a series of blog posts over 30 days. These posts later evolved into the novella, blending memoir, fiction, and travelogue elements.
  Cole's education in art history and exposure to global literature also formed his narrative style, which blends modernist techniques with personal introspection. Ultimately, "Every Day Is for the Thief" is both a personal exploration of identity and a broader commentary on contemporary Nigerian society.
Facts
- Awards: While "Every Day Is for the Thief" did not win any major awards, it gained critical acclaim for its portrayal of life in Nigeria.
- Topics
  Identity and Belonging
  The protagonist, a Nigerian living in America, returns to Lagos and grapples with his sense of identity and belonging. The novel explores how one's sense of self can be shaped by cultural roots and experiences.
  Corruption and Governance
  A prominent theme in the novel is the pervasive corruption in Nigerian society, from everyday bribery to more systemic issues within government and institutions. The protagonist encounters various instances of corruption during his visit, reflecting broader societal issues.
  
  Urban Life and Alienation
  The novel portrays the bustling urban environment of Lagos and captures the contradictions and complexities of city life. It explores how rapid urbanization affects individuals' sense of connection to their surroundings and to each other.
  
  Memory and History
  Through encounters with places and people from his past, the protagonist reflects on memory and history. The novel delves into personal and collective memory, highlighting how individuals reckon with their past and its impact on their present.
  
  Economic Disparities
  Cole discusses economic disparities in Nigeria, contrasting the lives of the wealthy elite with the struggles of the majority. He portrays the stark divide between different socioeconomic classes and the impact of economic inequality on society.
  
  Culture and Tradition
  The novel explores Nigerian culture and traditions, depicting rituals, customs, and cultural practices. It also examines how globalization and modernity intersect with traditional ways of life.
  
  Migration and Diaspora
  The protagonist's experience of returning to Nigeria from America raises themes of migration, diaspora identity, and the complexities of navigating between different cultures and countries.
  
  Narrative Style and Perspective
  Cole employs a reflective and observational narrative style, blending fiction with elements of memoir and travelogue. The novel's narrative perspective allows for a nuanced exploration of its themes and topics.
  Overall, "Every Day Is for the Thief" offers a poignant portrayal of contemporary Nigerian society through its exploration of identity, corruption, urban life, memory, economic disparities, culture, and the complexities of migration and diaspora identity.
- General Perception
  
  Readers often appreciate the novel for its realistic portrayal of Lagos, capturing the chaotic yet vibrant essence of the city. Cole's descriptive writing style immerses the reader in the sights, sounds, and complexities of urban Nigeria.
  Cole's narrative is contemplative and introspective, with the protagonist reflecting on his personal experiences and observations. This reflective tone allows for a deeper exploration of themes such as identity, belonging, and the contrast between diaspora perspectives and local realities.
  
  "Every Day Is for the Thief" has generally been well-received for its literary merit and cultural insight. It has been praised for its evocative prose and its ability to present a multifaceted portrait of a city in flux.
  
  Cole presents the narrator's return to Lagos as a conflict between familiarity and estrangement: although he recognizes the city as his homeland, years in the United States have altered the way he judges its social realities.
  
  So can we trust the narrator's representation of Lagos?
- Reader Rating:
Commentary
- Teju Cole’s "Every Day Is for the Thief" offers a poignant exploration of Nigeria’s socio-political landscape through the lens of a diasporic narrator returning to Lagos after 15 years. The novella captures the pervasive corruption, from bribe-seeking officials to systemic societal decay, illustrating how materialism and lawlessness dominate daily life. The narrator’s disillusionment is palpable as he navigates a city rife with moral and cultural contradictions, yet his observations are tinged with both anger and nostalgia.
  The narrative unfolds as a series of vignettes, blending personal reflection with broader social critique. Cole juxtaposes moments of beauty—such as cultural remnants of high art—with harrowing scenes like the public lynching of a thief, underscoring the fragility of humanity in such an environment. Ultimately, the novel portrays Lagos as a microcosm of a nation grappling with its identity, leaving readers with a haunting meditation on belonging and estrangement.
Articles: General Information | Detailed/Scholarly Information
- General Information:
- Review. "This is a personal take but lacks deep analysis and reads more like an impression than a comprehensive critique." (It questions whether the book functions more like a novel, essay, or travelogue. However, it is a personal review rather than scholarly criticism) Amina's Bookshelf; April 24, 2020
- Detailed/Scholarly Information:
- Review-return to Lagos. "The article provides detailed insights into the book’s themes, characters, setting, and portrayal of Nigerian society." (Helon Habila discusses corruption, homecoming, Lagos, the narrator's 15-year absence, traditional/modern Nigeria, and Cole's observational style) The Guardian; April 25, 2014
- Review. "A clear, vivid portrayal of Lagos and the narrator’s confrontation with corruption, identity, and moral dislocation." (Valuable for narrator identity, Open City, autobiography/fiction, Lagos, corruption, memory and the book's unusual structure) Kristen Roupenian; April 3, 2014
- Review: "This article gives a rich, nuanced evaluation of the book’s style, themes and depiction of Lagos, and how the narrative blends personal reflection with vivid social observation." (This review gives another serious critical perspective and helps balance the Guardian/Africa in Words material) Financial Times; April 25, 2014
- Book Review. "The article gives a strong overview of Every Day Is for the Thief, highlighting the narrator’s return to Lagos and vivid depictions of corruption and cultural change, but it doesn’t deeply analyse the book’s themes or literary techniques." (Discusses corruption, violence, photography, identity, privilege, Western expectations of legality, and the narrator's feeling of being a stranger at home. This is excellent for classroom discussion) Columbia Magazine.; Summer 2014
- Audio (3:11)
  Cole Chronicles A City's Reality: "This conversation about Every Day Is for the Thief highlights how vividly and honestly the book portrays the narrator’s return to Lagos, showing scenes of pervasive corruption, societal friction, and cultural complexity through a voice that doesn’t soften the city’s realities. It emphasizes the book’s unfiltered reflections on Nigeria and the narrator’s conflicted feelings about home." NPR Radio; April 26, 2014
- Audio (8:10)
  A Homecoming, Minus The Nostalgia, In Cole's Unsparing 'Thief': "This audio highlights how the narrator’s homecoming to Lagos exposes widespread corruption, bribe‑taking, and the complex emotional responses of someone returning after many years abroad, giving listeners useful context on both the book’s themes and author’s perspective." (Talks about homecoming, diaspora, corruption and the narrator's lack of nostalgia) NPR Radio; March 24, 2014
- Going back to Lagos: "The article provides a clear, contextual analysis of Every Day Is for the Thief by describing its themes (corruption, cultural observation, Lagos’s complexity) and how the novel reads more like a travelogue/meditation on modern African life than a traditional plot‑driven story — it’s informative about the book’s purpose and style." (Identifies the book as a meditation on modern Nigeria and emphasizes the narrator's observation of Lagos, corruption, disorder and inventiveness) Los Angeles Times; March 21, 2014