The Potter's Wheel

by Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike

Satirist and chronicler of the many-faceted world of education in Nigeria, the author is one of Nigeria's foremost writers. In this novel, he tells of Obuechina, the only brother of six older sisters, prize pupil in the village school, apple of his doting mother's eye, eight years old and hopelessly spoilt. In a vain attempt to salvage his character, his father decides he must be sent away as a servant to a schoolmaster with a dragon of a wife. Obu goes - and comes back very different.

Genres: Nigeria, Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Ndukwe Onyema · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first novels I read as a teenager, the copy we had in our bookshelf had the last leaves torn out. I couldn't believe I was so obsessed with the story that I had to read it all over again few years later...yeah.. years. I never forgot it. Depicts the typical African society set in an Igbo village; a strict father who wants the best for his only son, an over-caring mother who feels the husband is overly strict, and jealous sisters who feels the 'only' son is perhaps getting to much attention. It also depicts the African belief in the supernatural, particularly the Igbo belief in Ogbanje. After reading the Narrow Path by Francis Selormey, I started to appreciate the similarities between the two works, though set in two different countries.

[Victor Chizi Ihunda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Potter's Wheel is a story which in all its entirety is typically Nigerian (Igbo). It's centered on the life, care, upbringing and unequal treatment of Obuechina the only son of his parents amongst other girls by his mother. An unequal treatment which depicts the society's preference for male child as opposed to female.
With the over-pampering attitude of Obuechina's Mother his father dreaded the possibility of him becoming useless and therefore decided to send him to live with a no-nonsense disciplinarian known as Teacher in order to make him grow as a responsible man.
The dynamics between Madam -Teachers wife, the brilliant and fast adapting Obuechina and other children who live with Teacher is such that it Obu's life never remained the same after living with Teacher.

[Chioma Bethel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book today and had to smile. It remains one of my classic reads. Read it before I started Jss one. my favorite word in the book is 'Tintinnabulation'. Obu was really won the day by spelling that word. I would recommend it as a classic read for Nigerian kids. lovely book.

[Isabella Omoloye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best book I've ever read

[Ann Nwuzor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finally got around to reading The Potter’s Wheel by Chukwuemeka Ike because so many people kept asking why I hadn’t read it. Apparently, it’s one of those books “every Nigerian student should have read,” especially because it was once a set novel for Post-UTME (PUTME) exams in Nigeria.

The story centers around Obu, the only son of his parents. His father, worried that he was being overly pampered, decides to send him away to live with a strict and almost cruel teacher. The goal? To teach him discipline and help him become a more responsible child.

The concept had potential, but the actual reading experience was underwhelming. I honestly don’t understand the hype. If I had read this 10 years ago when I was preparing for PUTME, I might have had a different perspective. But reading it now? I really struggled to stay interested.

One of my biggest issues was the writing style ,the descriptions were overly detailed to the point of being boring. It felt like the book was written more for exam prep than for enjoyment, which makes sense given its use in PUTME. But as a casual reader today, it just didn’t click with me.

There were several points where I wanted to DNF (Did Not Finish), but I decided to push through, hoping it would get better. It didn’t. I don’t regret reading it, but I also can’t pretend I enjoyed it.

So no, I won’t forgive y’all that pressured me into reading this 😅.

[Black Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommends for: Young children and teens.
The Potter's Wheel is a funny, light-hearted and easy-to-read book which I enjoyed thoroughly. I loved how descriptive it was and how we see Obu's character improve throughout the story,which(I don't think this counts as a spoiler) I think, reaches a zenith with his decision at the end. I also loved the servants in Teacher's house. I believe that the best parts of the book were the ones that somewhat involved them.
As for Obu's sisters, particularly Ogechukwu, I felt great sympathy for them as they are treated like second-class citizens in their own house by their father and mother, both of which show blatant favouritism towards Obu. This is very much reflectant of the way girls were treated in Africa in the past, treatment that still goes on in some places today. Their anger and envy are completely justified and part of me kind of hoped that they would get some sort of compensation for how they were treated😔.
Overall, the book is fantastic, beginning to end.

[Edna Kuipers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I have read it three times over the course of 3 years.It is a realistic and funny read. The characters are so real that they practically come alive. It’s in my top 10 favourite books of all time.

[Remigius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am not able to read it

[Mahmud Yahaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting

[Edward Mohumanegi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It goes without say the read is unquestionably a good reflection of events, situations and experiences of the light of what we see happening within our homestead.

[Chinedu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is superb

[Samuel Pitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and enjoyable, but puts forward the rather dubious moral that child abuse builds character.

[Bamigboye Adeboye · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true Nigerian master piece. I really love how Ike captured the life and joy in most Nigerian villages by using amazing prose and very humerus proverbs. A true good read

[Odion Ikhualoghe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waw

[Rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool reading from this site
The best ebook site

[Love Edet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to comment after reading this book.. it's getting really excited and interesting

[Miracle Madufor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good app

[Davidson Ajaegbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have said this was a simple story, but it's actually not. It's multi layered with family dynamics geared towards instilling discipline and teachable morals.

[Nnamdi Gift · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have been wanting to read for so long

[Adaobi Chiemelu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fluidity of language I felt from this book as a child, perfect.

[Christiana Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does not show me full details

[Ekene Onuorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder why I find this particular review everywhere I go. The students writing JAMB in Nigeria are really in need of real time review of this book. Well, I guess it's simple: The boy who was pampered was sent to become a real man from someone who can't afford to pamper anyone. That's why he returned changed.

[Kelvin Princewill · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book, needed 4 jamb

[ABEGUNDE TEMITAYO · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best novel I've ever read