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Oil on Water Audiobook
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(3.04) - 211 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In the oil-rich and environmentally devastated Nigerian Delta, a British oil executive's wife has been kidnapped. Two journalists - a young upstart, Rufus, and a once-great, now disillusioned veteran, Zaq - are sent to find her. In a story rich with atmosphere and taut with suspense, Oil on Water explores the conflict between idealism and cynical disillusionment in a journey full of danger and unintended consequences. As they navigate polluted rivers flanked by exploded and dormant oil wells, they must contend with the brutality of both government soldiers and militants. Assailed by irresolvable versions of the 'truth' about the woman's disappearance, dependant on the kindness of strangers of unknowable loyalties, their journalistic objectivity will prove unsustainable, but other values might yet salvage their human dignity.
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"On the surface, an intriguing mystery about two journalists searching the rivers and deltas of Nigeria for a missing white woman, the wife of a British oil executive. More than that though, a commentary on the dark heart of man, the destructiveness of greed, and the ever-shifting nature of truth. "
— Valerie (5 out of 5 stars)
Oil on Water Listener Reviews
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" Habila painted a vivid picture of the destruction in the Niger Delta and the pain it caused. Not extremely memorable, but unique and interesting. "
— Caitlin, 2/20/2014 -
" Fast moving so far. UPDATE: Oh man was that ending such a letdown. In fact, the book on the whole wasn't that great. It felt like a thrilling, yet banal beach read. Like a Nigerian John Grisham. Ouch. "
— anique, 2/13/2014 -
" The novel is enjoyable although I would have liked a more linear storytelling, the author uses flashbacks over flashbacks and it is a bit disruptive. But the narration is still very good and you are transported in the Delta. "
— Sandra, 1/24/2014 -
" ok, some minor problems, but pretty great. "
— Lonni, 1/19/2014 -
" The topic and story were interesting, but it was a little confusing to follow the way it was written. I wish more time had been spent on the underlying issues and historical context. "
— Heather, 1/5/2014 -
" Oil and politics in Nigeria. Highly original thriller set in a unique context. "
— Andy, 8/11/2013 -
" My least liked book of Helon Habila. But, you can't fault his writing. Maybe, I had a problem with the topic. "
— Agbonmire, 7/1/2013 -
" I hated the ambiguous ending. The subject matter was great but I just got bored after a while. I can usually finish a book this size in three days but this took 2 weeks because I really didn't care about finishing it. "
— Wonderwoman, 6/19/2013 -
" A look at the devastation of the people and lands of Nigeria through the oil companies. Two journalists try to find a kidnapped wife of one of the oil executives.They encounter militants and miltary both of whom bring their own type of terror.Not a hopeful book for the future of Nigeria. "
— Rosanna, 6/13/2013 -
" This is an interesting novel set in the Niger delta. There are emotionally difficult scenes, but overall it is well written. One gets a beginning sense of conflicting interests between the big oil companies and local peoples. "
— Mary, 4/22/2013 -
" I think this is an author to watch. He writes very powerful and meaningful books. His stories about Nigeria and the oil reminds me a bit about Chinua Achebe writing about the Christians coming to Africa. It is all about what the foreign influence does to disrupt a culture. This was well written. "
— Kathidfsmc, 1/15/2013 -
" still not finished, but this book is definitely unlike any other I've ever read... "
— Amber, 10/23/2012 -
" I was good to get out of America. In terms of style, setting, and content this book was very refreshing. The plot is unsettling and sad - giving a fresh perspective on the less powerful nations ravaged by greed - but it moves quickly Habila weaves a great tale. "
— Jennifer, 6/13/2012 -
" Wow. You can picture the Niger Delta so well while reading this book. And smell the gas, see the flares, etc. The Nigerian govt and the oil companies are plundering ordinary Nigerians and they are just stuck...you get the total hopelessness of the situation. "
— Margaret, 9/30/2011 -
" I highly recommend this book. Habila is a really good storyteller. The main characters are journalists investigating a kidnapping of an oil company executive's wife in Nigeria. I learned a lot about how oil exploitation has impacted the life of the local people there. "
— Karen, 6/24/2011 -
" If keeping track of the oil companies' ravaging of Nigeria is too harsh or too much trouble via news and media, just read Habila's book of "fiction". Beautifully and honestly written, with wonderful characters, it should be on anyone's to read list. "
— Diane, 5/12/2011
About Helon Habila
Helon Habila is the internationally renowned author of Waiting for an Angel, which won both the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Caine Prize for African Writing, as well as Measuring Time and Oil on Water. He was born in Nigeria and now divides his time between America and Nigeria.
About Richard Allen
Richard Allen is an accomplished and respected theatrical actor whose work includes Ragtime and PBS’ Great Performances: Play On! His voice can be heard on numerous television and radio productions, as well as the animated series Jumanji. Allen is also the winner of seven AudioFile Earphones Awards.