Measuring Time

by Helon Habila

Book Overview

Mamo and LaMamo are twin brothers living in the small Nigerian village of Keti, where their domineering father controls their lives. With high hopes the twins attempt to flee from home, but only LaMamo escapes successfully and is able to live their dream of becoming a soldier who meets beautiful women. Mamo, the sickly, awkward twin, is doomed to remain in the village with his father. Gradually he comes out of his father's shadow and gains local fame...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393052516
• ISBN13: 9780393052510
• Release Date: February 2007
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Many will tell you that this book is the epic life narrative of a pair of twins. It is indeed that but what I read is much bigger. The plot is not set within a larger backdrop nor is it a narrative as seen through the eyes of Mamo the major protagonist. I read the complete history of a town - Keti and it was a well imagined and well rendered past, present and future history. First off, I must compare this book to Habila's debut novel. The themes of time are common to both novels. The titles of both novels alone give this away. Both major protagonists are also writers which makes me wonder if both of these characters reflect some true aspects of Mr Habila himself and if he is projecting himself through them. Where both books differ vastly is that Measuring Time is a utterly more confident book. It does not doubt itself and this alone makes it beautiful. All the characters in Measuring Time are fleshed out and given skin and bones. He does not attempt to always explain them or their motives but he makes them realistic. Of course, there are a few characters here and there who serve as necessary plot devices but with this book I can forgive Mr Habila. I could not forgive him for those in Waiting For An Angel. I also really like the deft way in which he challenges unfair social frameworks and questionable traditions without sounding preachy. He brings the village of Keti and its citizens to a vivid life and reminds us through Mamo that even though intelligence can be greatly enhanced by education, it is not supplied by formal education. Also you will turn the final page feeling that home is where the heart is. This is a great book. A fantastic narrative work. Recommended.

One of the best reads ever!

This book was told in such a 'peaceful' tempo that you are immediately and suddenly pulled in. Habila writes so beautifully. I made a copy of the pages in which Mamo and Iliya discuss culture and kept it in my journal- he was insightful in the way he gave voice to the thoughts I and many others have about how important it is to do away with the obsolete, unprogressive parts of culture. Excellent work Habila, just absolutely excellent.

Insight into Cultural Norms

A historical book in which the reader gets a good insight into the cultural norms of Keti.It is also in large part an account of how the protagonist of the story, Mamo, sets out to write the history of Keti. In other words it seems to be the author himself writing about writing this very book. Mamo and LaMamo are twins whose mother died at their birth. Their father Lamang's sister - Aunt Marina - takes care of them. Mamo has sickle-cell anaemia and is constantly sick. LaMamo is the physically stonger of the two and is preferred by their father, although there is a palpable distance between father and sons. LaMamo becomes a mercenary in the brutal civil war in Liberia and loses an eye. He plans to marry Bintou - a young woman that he had saved from being raped. Mamo stays in Keti and is commisioned through the Waziri to write the biography of the Mai. Sometimes the book was humorous, sometimes sad and other times philosophical. Many excellent descriptions although sometimes I felt the story needed to pick up some steam. The well scam and Prince were helpful in this regard(302). I liked the discussion of tradition that Mamo had with his uncle Ilya, who states that behind most customs there is a "motive rigged to serve some elite, some self-styled custodian of our culture." He warns Mamo to be wary of exclusion, which is never the answer."It is what gives rise to facism and all sorts of racial and religious fundamentalism. We are pure, you are not; we are superior, you are inferior." Very well put!

Wisdom and survival

"Measuring Time" is the story of twin brothers, their family and the people that shaped them. Living in rural Nigeria, village life and the natural environment add atmosphere and context. Habila's story-telling talent are evident in numerous ways. His own narrative of people and events is interwoven with those of his protagonist Mamo, who in later years writes about the people around him and thereby becomes a recorder of the local history. Giving Mamo the dual voice of the growing boy/young adult of the story time line and the retrospective commentary of the future biographer, the author creates an even richer portrayal of the main characters and the times they live in. Mamo, the first born of the twins, inherited sickle cell anemia from his mother, who died in child birth. From an early age Mamo, fragile and prone to health crises, does not expect to grow into adulthood. This makes him reflective and withdrawn, always waiting for something to happen: first death, later on fame, fortune or something else. Expectations and dreams change over time. The younger twin, LaMamo, on the other hand, is a rambunctious youth who "acts before he thinks". Together they make a complete person, one balancing the other's character. Among the many things uniting them, hatred for their father stands above all else. They are convinced that he made their mother's life so miserable that she died at a young age. Fortunately, they are taken to their uncle Ilya for the first few years of their lives. Then auntie Marina, their father's sister, comes to live with them, dedicating her life to the well being of the boys. Eventually, the young men plan their escape: there are wars being fought in neighbouring countries and they believe that they can make their fortune. However, Mamo has another fever attack brought on by his anemia and, at the designated time, only LaMamo can leave. Mamo remains behind and withdraws even more from his surroundings. His father ignores him, but fortunately uncle Iliya takes him under his intellectual and emotional wing. He encourages Mamo to continue his studies and, later on, to join his community school as a history teacher. There he crosses paths with his childhood friend, Zara. His life takes a new turn as a result, in more ways than one. Meanwhile, LaMamo's progress or lack thereof in fighting other people's wars is conveyed through long letters to his brother that arrive sporadically. Will they ever meet again? This is not just the story of one family, although the individuals stand in the centre of events. Uncle Ilija, who fought in several wars, has turned all his energy into maintaining the village school and to bring understanding and wisdom to those around him. The twin's father, a wealthy businessman, attempts a political career with mixed results, allowing the author to expose the many problems of the political system in the recently turned independent state of Nigeria. Habila has not only created vivid characters that