Story Behind The Book
The true life stories of the victims of Joseph Kony's LRA.
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<p>Nigerian author and poet Ray Anyasi has published twenty books - poetry, novels, and social commentary. He is the Director of Publishing for Naphtali Publishers in Nigeria. He is also a Certified Copywriter and Content Developer. Ray is motivated to write extraordinary stories of ordinary people who have to confront monstrous challenges they do not orchestrate, yet must overcome. Encountering an author new to us and of the quality of Ray Anyasi always raises the question `Why don't we know more about him?' He has authored a solid number of books, each within a subject range that should find readers who are eager to here fresh voices in their search for new expression. Perhaps the climate of the times, with so much media coverage of the troubles the countries within Africa are enduring, makes readers fear entering stories that deal with those very problems. But in this reader's experience, going to the source - writers who are from the area, living the stress, and still working toward making changes in their own countries as well as gain recognition from the outside world for the possibilities for change - these authors offer a unique stance. And so it is with Ray. Unafraid to incorporate the infamous LRA as part of his plot shows courage and the extraordinary manner in which he relays the struggles is admirable. One of the reasons his prose works so very well is likely due to the poetic flair with which he builds scenes and characters and resolutions. The title Ray chooses `Ujasiri' translated from the Swahili means `strength, courage' and after simply beginning Rays book it is clear why that title was chosen. He sets his story in contemporary times Joseph Dahr, a middle aged ex-soldier attempts to rescue his wife Rose and son Joe Jr., abducted from his Democratic Republic of Congo village by the LRA, with only the aid of a damaged rifle and from his old friend Lawrence Ottoise whom he can trust. Ridden with guilt Dahr believes Rosa and Joe Junior would not have been abducted had he taken them to Kinshasa as Rosa had begged him to. He would hence, not forgive himself unless he brings them home by any means. He relies on Hussein, an American spy, to arm him with all the details on the LRA's mode of operation and he summarizes his mission in a dialogue with Hussein, "I am not an idiot. I know the dangers in what I am about to do, but it is the only way I can live with myself." Hussein on his own has what he thinks is a perfect plan to finish the worst of the LRA, one Joseph Kony, but believes his superiors in the Pentagon would not buy it. Hussein decides teaming up with Dahr is the way forward. As their mission proceeds Dahr meets and inspires several other men who equally have personal reasons to take a fight to the LRA. And thus in Ray's writing style and personal mission he places Dahr in the forefront of leading an army of distraught men while keeping his eyes on the goal now has to be added to his many troubles. Power, conviction of message, and sheer brilliance of pacing are characteristics of this thriller/espionage/suspense story - a book by an important new voice who seems destined to become and important 21st century author. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp,</p>