The Road Does Not End
| Author | Olubunmi Familoni |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Noirledge Publishing |
Publication date | 2024 |
| Publication place | Nigeria |
| ISBN | 9789786019499 |
The Road Does Not End is a 2024 novel by Olubunmi Familoni. It won the 2024 Nigeria Prize for Literature.
Background
Olubunmi has written several plays, short fictions and essays. His short story collection, Smithereens of Death won the 2015 ANA Prize for Short Stories. In 2020, his children's book, I'll Call My Brother for You won the ANA Prize for Children's Literature. His play, When Big Masquerades Dance Naked was longlisted for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2023 and won the ANA Prize for Drama.[1]
It took Olubunmi two weeks to write the novel. He cites Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as inspiration.[2]
Reception
The advisory board of the Nigeria Prize for Literature praised the novel, writing that "it tells the compelling story of street life in Lagos, focusing on children who must fend for themselves" and lauds the author's narrative as highlighting the characters daily struggles and resilience, "bringing attention to the societal issues faced by vulnerable youths in Nigeria".[3]
The novel won the Nigeria Prize for Literature after been shortlisted with Uchechukwu Peter Umezurike's Wish Maker and Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmo's A Father's Pride.[1]
References
- ^ a b Kan, Toni (2024-10-11). "Familoni Oluranti Olubunmi's 'The Road Does Not End' leads to literary glory in $100k Nigeria Prize for Literature". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ^ "In Conversation: Olubunmi Familoni Talks His NLNG Prize-Winning Book, Writing Process, and More". Afrocritik. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
- ^ Umeha, Chioma (2024-10-16). "Reasons Familoni's The Road Does Not End' Won 2024 Nigeria Prize For Literature". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-11-02.