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Unhallowed Graves
Oja-ale is the night market run by the dead. Everything can be bought for a deadly price. Alan Pearson is a sceptical British diplomat, contemptuous and dismissive of native superstitions...Until the day he receives a terrifying purchase from the Night Market, which defies Western science and logic. And Alan must finally confront the chilling truth of Oja-ale. - "Night Market - Oja-ale"
A dead child returns to haunt his grieving mother with terrifying consequences - "The Unclean"
The ghost of a drowned slave resurrects from his watery grave to exact revenge on the family that betrayed him and sold him into slavery, with tragic consequences - "Our Bones Shall Rise Again".
Three chilling stories of revenge by the restless dead buried in Unhallowed Graves by the front-runner of African Horror and author of The Reluctant Dead, Nuzo Onoh
A dead child returns to haunt his grieving mother with terrifying consequences - "The Unclean"
The ghost of a drowned slave resurrects from his watery grave to exact revenge on the family that betrayed him and sold him into slavery, with tragic consequences - "Our Bones Shall Rise Again".
Three chilling stories of revenge by the restless dead buried in Unhallowed Graves by the front-runner of African Horror and author of The Reluctant Dead, Nuzo Onoh
336 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 1, 2024
My last spooky season entry, this is my second book by this Nigerian author in as many months. These three short stories rely heavily on Nigerian tradition and myth, as did the ARC I recently read. Very interesting, but there were a lot of typos in this, which is always annoying. It’s currently (11/1/24) available on Kindle Unlimited if you have access to that and want to read “Nigeria’s Queen of horror” for free and for nothing.
Oh, how I’ll miss spooky season and I can’t wait til next year!
Oh, how I’ll miss spooky season and I can’t wait til next year!
March 29, 2024
African horror
Three excellent stories of African horror. Onoh is definitely able to weave riveting images. Highly recommended for fans of the horror genre .
Three excellent stories of African horror. Onoh is definitely able to weave riveting images. Highly recommended for fans of the horror genre .
November 21, 2023
Titulo: Unhallowed Graves
Autor: Nuzo Onoh
Motivo de lectura: Letras Macabras (Isla Macabra 2023), #Horror52Weeks
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Mi edicion: Electronico
Puntuacion: 4.5/5
Esta antologia incluye tres relatos, sinceramente entre completamente a ciegas, con el unico dato de que la autora es Nigeriana. Me llevo una grata sorpresa, Nuzo Onoh es puro talento, la manera en que construye las ambientaciones es excelente, como asi tambien la construccion de sus personajes. De esos libros que te invitan a seguir investigando sobre una cultura muy distinta y lejana, que a pesar de eso es posible encontrar pequeños hilos conductores donde en definitiva a traves de sus paginas podemos tener acceso a un pais misterioso y rico en folclore.
The Unclean: al finalizar de leer este cuento me quede unos minutos mirando a la nada, en un intento de procesar la cantidad de temas que aborda Nuzo Onoh.
En algunos lugares el nacer mujer se compara a un crimen, y en esta Africa de Onoh eso queda clarisimo. Este relato puede estar asociado a una barbarie de una epoca antigua, pero el verdadero horror es que esta clase de cosas aun ocurren.
El nivel de sometimiento de nuestra protagonista (Desee), la maternidad, la injusticia, el abuso, el horror. En un lugar donde si alguien te señala y dice que estas maldita, no hay vuelta atras, tu condena al infierno nunca tendra fin.
El viaje de nuestra protagonista al cementerio de los condenados es escalofriante, y su juicio final te rompe el corazon, no hay escapatoria, no hay consuelo, no hay nada, solo desolacion. 4.5/5
Night Market: la premisa de un realmente es excelente. En este cuento se explora hasta que punto serias capaz de hacer un sacrificio por alguien. La presencia del folclore Nigeriano a traves de la representacion de una chica misteriosa sumado a la esencia humana donde se mezcla el engaño, los celos y la falta de escrupulos. 4.5/5
Our bones shall rise again: la venganza como tema central de la trama. Una combinacion perfecta entre eventos de naturaleza sobrenatural y tragedias de plano terrenal. Ahonda en el caracter familiar, cuando hijos son totalmente distintos, y las señas paticulares estan muy bien establecidas. Espiritus, ancestros, el folclore Nigeriano en su maxima expresion. 4/5
Autor: Nuzo Onoh
Motivo de lectura: Letras Macabras (Isla Macabra 2023), #Horror52Weeks
Lectura / Relectura: Lectura
Mi edicion: Electronico
Puntuacion: 4.5/5
Esta antologia incluye tres relatos, sinceramente entre completamente a ciegas, con el unico dato de que la autora es Nigeriana. Me llevo una grata sorpresa, Nuzo Onoh es puro talento, la manera en que construye las ambientaciones es excelente, como asi tambien la construccion de sus personajes. De esos libros que te invitan a seguir investigando sobre una cultura muy distinta y lejana, que a pesar de eso es posible encontrar pequeños hilos conductores donde en definitiva a traves de sus paginas podemos tener acceso a un pais misterioso y rico en folclore.
The Unclean: al finalizar de leer este cuento me quede unos minutos mirando a la nada, en un intento de procesar la cantidad de temas que aborda Nuzo Onoh.
En algunos lugares el nacer mujer se compara a un crimen, y en esta Africa de Onoh eso queda clarisimo. Este relato puede estar asociado a una barbarie de una epoca antigua, pero el verdadero horror es que esta clase de cosas aun ocurren.
El nivel de sometimiento de nuestra protagonista (Desee), la maternidad, la injusticia, el abuso, el horror. En un lugar donde si alguien te señala y dice que estas maldita, no hay vuelta atras, tu condena al infierno nunca tendra fin.
El viaje de nuestra protagonista al cementerio de los condenados es escalofriante, y su juicio final te rompe el corazon, no hay escapatoria, no hay consuelo, no hay nada, solo desolacion. 4.5/5
Night Market: la premisa de un realmente es excelente. En este cuento se explora hasta que punto serias capaz de hacer un sacrificio por alguien. La presencia del folclore Nigeriano a traves de la representacion de una chica misteriosa sumado a la esencia humana donde se mezcla el engaño, los celos y la falta de escrupulos. 4.5/5
Our bones shall rise again: la venganza como tema central de la trama. Una combinacion perfecta entre eventos de naturaleza sobrenatural y tragedias de plano terrenal. Ahonda en el caracter familiar, cuando hijos son totalmente distintos, y las señas paticulares estan muy bien establecidas. Espiritus, ancestros, el folclore Nigeriano en su maxima expresion. 4/5
June 20, 2015
I think I've found a small treasure.
In “Unhallowed Graves”, author Onoh takes us to a new world, but this is not a work of science-fiction. Rather it is a world hidden from Western eyes; an ancient world ruled by witchcraft and superstition, by ghosts and curses. It is the 'dark continent' of Africa.
In just the first few pages of the first story, “The Unclean”, the reader is transported into West Africa, 1953, a world few people today, especially women, would want to visit. It is a world where all women are subservient to all men, even little boys, and can be married off to the highest bidder without a say in the matter. It is a world of poverty and hard work. And it is a world where the dead are kept close to the living. It is their custom to bury the dead in the living room.
And here the witch-doctor rules over all.
Although I'm a student of history and various cultures, I admit I know only a little about the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. I can not say with authority that Onoh's vision of the region is accurate. But I can say it rings true.
Certainly ringing true is the Evangelical preacher claiming to be filled with the spirit of the archangel Michael—who is more than powerful enough to ensure the heroine, Desee, conceives a child. This humorous bit seems like the only good thing that happens in this poor woman's tragic life.
Desee's nocturnal trip to the oja-ofia, the graveyard of the damned, is not unlike Dante's descent into Hell. A closer simile might be Gehenna, the potter's field where the bodies of the unclean were thrown for fear of corrupting hallowed ground. There Desee finds a spirit that impels her on a quest to revive the dead.
From reading this story, I've determined that African exorcisms consist of taking the victim of a malediction—and making life even worse for them. Consider that “...these evil creatures assume the form of wicked goblins, raping the women and biting off their toes after the vile act so that people know what had taken place. Consequently, all future children born by the molested women must be killed.”
The second story, “Night Market”, shows the contrast of an English gentleman who finds himself in a far-off backwards country, riddled with superstition. I can't help but be reminded of the opening chapter of “Dracula”. But I'm also reminded of the Mexican legend of La Llorona, the crying woman who waits at the side of the road, wanting to be driven to a site where she can never arrive.
British diplomat Alan Pearsons, stationed in modern Nigeria, encounters a strange woman wanting a ride. But the woman turns out to be more dead than alive and she latches on to his family and only doom can follow—unless Alan is willing to bargain for reprieve at the Oja-ale, the strange night-market of the dead and undead.
The story has a definite whiplash moment as Alan returns to England. I had to read the line twice to make sure I got it right. And the ending is great.
The last story in the book, “Our Bones Shall Rise Again”, takes us deeper into the jungle, deeper in the past. This is a tale of vengeance from beyond the grave, in the steaming heart of primeval Africa. It's been done before, but I've never seen it done better, for it has not only supernatural events and justice from beyond, but also further tragedy.
For the most part, these three stories take place in a land well known to the author; rural West Africa. Yet it is not so different from Europe in the Dark Ages—the people are ignorant, bigoted, and superstitious. This was what led to the witchcraft trials.
Oh wait. In Europe, the majority of the witchcraft trials occurred from 1550 to 1700—the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment. Think of that before you're too harsh on modern-day Africa. Witchcraft could never be as scary as the belief in witchcraft.
Again, I was very impressed with the authenticity of the book and I learned a great deal of Nigerian folklore: The Iduu—the Water-Mirror of Death, which sounds much like the waters of Lethe in Greek mythology. The Ogbanje, a kind of freshwater mermaid. And Alusi Onwu, the African Halloween, when the spirits of the dead are free to walk amongst the living.
But I hope I don't make “Unhallowed Ground” sound like a textbook of Nigerian customs and folklore. These are three very good horror stories, well composed, with believable characters with whom anyone can identify. The drama and the scares are well composed. A sign of Onoh's talent and range as a writer is that she can write about Alan Pearson in England with the same authenticity as Desee or Oba in their villages.
Cons: I almost hate to mention grammatical errors since they are few and I don't want to deter anyone from reading the book. For a great book, it's a shame there are a few mistakes that a proofreader might have caught. Onoh, whose English is excellent, nonetheless confuses lightening for lightning, and has one or two mix-ups of 'he' for 'she'. The Igbo people are referred to as the ten tribes and then as the twelve tribes. Another line, “I felt my soul reject his at first sight, a clear sign we had been antagonists in a previous reincarnation” is great, but 'reincarnation' should be 'incarnation'. And then there's the greatest horror in the book: “A feet kicked him in the stomach.”
It's not a mistake, but a little disconcerting to encounter the Chinese term chi in a story set in West Africa. Or, if the Chinese and the Nigerians both use the same word for the same concept, that's a coincidence that needs to be addressed.
But none of those minor quibbles invalidates this as a five-star book. I want to thank Nuzo Onoh for writing three really cool ghost stories. But I really want to thank her for showing me new traditions and a new world of horror.
In “Unhallowed Graves”, author Onoh takes us to a new world, but this is not a work of science-fiction. Rather it is a world hidden from Western eyes; an ancient world ruled by witchcraft and superstition, by ghosts and curses. It is the 'dark continent' of Africa.
In just the first few pages of the first story, “The Unclean”, the reader is transported into West Africa, 1953, a world few people today, especially women, would want to visit. It is a world where all women are subservient to all men, even little boys, and can be married off to the highest bidder without a say in the matter. It is a world of poverty and hard work. And it is a world where the dead are kept close to the living. It is their custom to bury the dead in the living room.
And here the witch-doctor rules over all.
Although I'm a student of history and various cultures, I admit I know only a little about the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. I can not say with authority that Onoh's vision of the region is accurate. But I can say it rings true.
Certainly ringing true is the Evangelical preacher claiming to be filled with the spirit of the archangel Michael—who is more than powerful enough to ensure the heroine, Desee, conceives a child. This humorous bit seems like the only good thing that happens in this poor woman's tragic life.
Desee's nocturnal trip to the oja-ofia, the graveyard of the damned, is not unlike Dante's descent into Hell. A closer simile might be Gehenna, the potter's field where the bodies of the unclean were thrown for fear of corrupting hallowed ground. There Desee finds a spirit that impels her on a quest to revive the dead.
From reading this story, I've determined that African exorcisms consist of taking the victim of a malediction—and making life even worse for them. Consider that “...these evil creatures assume the form of wicked goblins, raping the women and biting off their toes after the vile act so that people know what had taken place. Consequently, all future children born by the molested women must be killed.”
The second story, “Night Market”, shows the contrast of an English gentleman who finds himself in a far-off backwards country, riddled with superstition. I can't help but be reminded of the opening chapter of “Dracula”. But I'm also reminded of the Mexican legend of La Llorona, the crying woman who waits at the side of the road, wanting to be driven to a site where she can never arrive.
British diplomat Alan Pearsons, stationed in modern Nigeria, encounters a strange woman wanting a ride. But the woman turns out to be more dead than alive and she latches on to his family and only doom can follow—unless Alan is willing to bargain for reprieve at the Oja-ale, the strange night-market of the dead and undead.
The story has a definite whiplash moment as Alan returns to England. I had to read the line twice to make sure I got it right. And the ending is great.
The last story in the book, “Our Bones Shall Rise Again”, takes us deeper into the jungle, deeper in the past. This is a tale of vengeance from beyond the grave, in the steaming heart of primeval Africa. It's been done before, but I've never seen it done better, for it has not only supernatural events and justice from beyond, but also further tragedy.
For the most part, these three stories take place in a land well known to the author; rural West Africa. Yet it is not so different from Europe in the Dark Ages—the people are ignorant, bigoted, and superstitious. This was what led to the witchcraft trials.
Oh wait. In Europe, the majority of the witchcraft trials occurred from 1550 to 1700—the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment. Think of that before you're too harsh on modern-day Africa. Witchcraft could never be as scary as the belief in witchcraft.
Again, I was very impressed with the authenticity of the book and I learned a great deal of Nigerian folklore: The Iduu—the Water-Mirror of Death, which sounds much like the waters of Lethe in Greek mythology. The Ogbanje, a kind of freshwater mermaid. And Alusi Onwu, the African Halloween, when the spirits of the dead are free to walk amongst the living.
But I hope I don't make “Unhallowed Ground” sound like a textbook of Nigerian customs and folklore. These are three very good horror stories, well composed, with believable characters with whom anyone can identify. The drama and the scares are well composed. A sign of Onoh's talent and range as a writer is that she can write about Alan Pearson in England with the same authenticity as Desee or Oba in their villages.
Cons: I almost hate to mention grammatical errors since they are few and I don't want to deter anyone from reading the book. For a great book, it's a shame there are a few mistakes that a proofreader might have caught. Onoh, whose English is excellent, nonetheless confuses lightening for lightning, and has one or two mix-ups of 'he' for 'she'. The Igbo people are referred to as the ten tribes and then as the twelve tribes. Another line, “I felt my soul reject his at first sight, a clear sign we had been antagonists in a previous reincarnation” is great, but 'reincarnation' should be 'incarnation'. And then there's the greatest horror in the book: “A feet kicked him in the stomach.”
It's not a mistake, but a little disconcerting to encounter the Chinese term chi in a story set in West Africa. Or, if the Chinese and the Nigerians both use the same word for the same concept, that's a coincidence that needs to be addressed.
But none of those minor quibbles invalidates this as a five-star book. I want to thank Nuzo Onoh for writing three really cool ghost stories. But I really want to thank her for showing me new traditions and a new world of horror.
June 27, 2018
Some of the best and most original horror stories I've read. Fantastic descriptions and imagery which is both horrific and beautiful. This collection is also unique (at least for me) in drawing from Nigerian traditions of the supernatural rather than western ones. Highly recommended for any fans of horror, I will definitely be reading the rest of Onoh's work.
July 31, 2021
Why is it that I have the most difficult time in describing my feelings for books that completely blow me away with their story?
This is one of those books, a collection of three horror stories by Onoh. Set in Nigeria, each story deals with the victimization of women, ghosts, witchcraft and magic, and the undead. A must read for any fan of horror.
This is one of those books, a collection of three horror stories by Onoh. Set in Nigeria, each story deals with the victimization of women, ghosts, witchcraft and magic, and the undead. A must read for any fan of horror.
January 3, 2024
The first story, "The Unclean", is excellent and horrific. It starts with the everyday horrors that can happen when a woman lives in a society (1950s Nigeria) where women are treated as property by their husbands and his family. By the end, supernatural horrors are added onto that. Neither of the other two stories were as strong for me. But keep in mind that Horror is not my usual genre.
There were far too many typos and other editing mistakes, but sadly that is common in recent books, especially e-books.
There were far too many typos and other editing mistakes, but sadly that is common in recent books, especially e-books.
September 8, 2020
I'm always excited to find horror writers who are non-Western and not Japanese. Nothing at all against Western and Japanese writers, but their perspective is just very well represented.
Unhallowed Graves brings us horror from a Nigerian perspective...and these tales really could only have been written by a Nigerian.
The stories are exciting, incredibly creepy, and very chilling. While the first 2 stories worked best for me, even the 3rd became something both fascinating and horrifying.
And while being entertained, I learned so much! I have to say the Night Market tale with the 'quarter dead' ghoul was the one that stayed with me the longest.
Looking forward to more from the author and more international horror in general!
Unhallowed Graves brings us horror from a Nigerian perspective...and these tales really could only have been written by a Nigerian.
The stories are exciting, incredibly creepy, and very chilling. While the first 2 stories worked best for me, even the 3rd became something both fascinating and horrifying.
And while being entertained, I learned so much! I have to say the Night Market tale with the 'quarter dead' ghoul was the one that stayed with me the longest.
Looking forward to more from the author and more international horror in general!
December 31, 2021
Unhollowed Graves
Son 3 historias.
La primera “The Unclean” es de triple terror.
Me gustó mucho, a pesar de ser incomodo de leer 4.5 stars
La segunda “Night Market”. Empieza acá como que muy de, te voy a contar sobre una cosa rara que paso y sobre un mercado espeluznante, y si esta tétrico, 4 stars
La tercera “Our bones shall rise again”, una historia sobre el choque de religiones, y de venganzas desde el mas allá, de traiciones y destinos.4
Me llamo la atención que en varios cuentos hablan de Chi, como espíritu, y buscando en internet, la cultura Igbo tiene este fonema Chi en su lengua como para representar el espíritu personal, su parte divina, y es solo una enorme coincidencia fonética.
En promedio es 4.17
Son 3 historias.
La primera “The Unclean” es de triple terror.
Me gustó mucho, a pesar de ser incomodo de leer 4.5 stars
La segunda “Night Market”. Empieza acá como que muy de, te voy a contar sobre una cosa rara que paso y sobre un mercado espeluznante, y si esta tétrico, 4 stars
La tercera “Our bones shall rise again”, una historia sobre el choque de religiones, y de venganzas desde el mas allá, de traiciones y destinos.4
Me llamo la atención que en varios cuentos hablan de Chi, como espíritu, y buscando en internet, la cultura Igbo tiene este fonema Chi en su lengua como para representar el espíritu personal, su parte divina, y es solo una enorme coincidencia fonética.
En promedio es 4.17
December 6, 2020
Look at me exploring genres I rarely reach for ....
This is a collection of three horror stories
In the first story a desparate woman consults a witchdoctor to get pregnant.
In the second story a stolen sweater brings a curious turn of events for a white married couple in Lagos.
The third story the betrayal of a wife causes the entire villages' death and a father possesses a sons body to exact revenge.
The first story was sufficiently scary but the second and the third stories not so much. The author is talented in creating a scary atmosphere but the endings don't leave me terrified.
This is a collection of three horror stories
In the first story a desparate woman consults a witchdoctor to get pregnant.
In the second story a stolen sweater brings a curious turn of events for a white married couple in Lagos.
The third story the betrayal of a wife causes the entire villages' death and a father possesses a sons body to exact revenge.
The first story was sufficiently scary but the second and the third stories not so much. The author is talented in creating a scary atmosphere but the endings don't leave me terrified.
November 5, 2017
Genial el encuentro del folklore africano con la modernidad. Hay muchas cosas donde me quería tranquilizar con que no son reales, pero luego pausaba y me decía a mí misma: "you fool! ¿no has entendido nada de lo que has leído?". Genial libro, me encantará ver que su autora gane popularidad y reconocimiento.
August 23, 2020
Enjoyed it tremendously! Beautifully written, eery mood and fascinating characters! I definitely will read more from the Queen of African Horror!
September 12, 2018
As a collection of three stories, the theme for all the stories seems dependent on Nigerian burial practices. However, they share little else in terms of theme.
The Unclean – The first story was a bit too brutal for me. I don’t mind horror that goes in the direction of torture porn like Hostel or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. What makes this story hard to bear is the life of Desee, the protagonist. The supernatural horror of dealing with the spirit of her dead son is one thing. It is difficult to deal with the accompanying spousal abuse from the husband that she is forced to marry and the subsequent abuse from her husband’s village. The story does fill in the tradition of the Ajo-ofia, where they bury those who died an evil dead so that they are unable to reincarnate into good families. (2 of 5 stars)
Night Market (Oja-ale) – The second story is much more of a traditional horror story. A British diplomat falls afoul of the Oja-ale, the night market of the dead. In this story, we learn about the Night Market, and how miracles are traded for portions of the life of the customer. There are some interesting twists to the story, and I really liked how the plot just falls into place. (5 of 5 stars)
Our Bones Shall Rise Again – While there are horror aspects to this last story, it could easily be a fantasy story. The greatest witchdoctor (which could be seen as wizard) the world has known is betrayed by one of his wives. His brother-in-law brings white slavers to take over the village. Revenge is left to his son. (4 of 5 stars)
The Unclean – The first story was a bit too brutal for me. I don’t mind horror that goes in the direction of torture porn like Hostel or Texas Chainsaw Massacre. What makes this story hard to bear is the life of Desee, the protagonist. The supernatural horror of dealing with the spirit of her dead son is one thing. It is difficult to deal with the accompanying spousal abuse from the husband that she is forced to marry and the subsequent abuse from her husband’s village. The story does fill in the tradition of the Ajo-ofia, where they bury those who died an evil dead so that they are unable to reincarnate into good families. (2 of 5 stars)
Night Market (Oja-ale) – The second story is much more of a traditional horror story. A British diplomat falls afoul of the Oja-ale, the night market of the dead. In this story, we learn about the Night Market, and how miracles are traded for portions of the life of the customer. There are some interesting twists to the story, and I really liked how the plot just falls into place. (5 of 5 stars)
Our Bones Shall Rise Again – While there are horror aspects to this last story, it could easily be a fantasy story. The greatest witchdoctor (which could be seen as wizard) the world has known is betrayed by one of his wives. His brother-in-law brings white slavers to take over the village. Revenge is left to his son. (4 of 5 stars)
November 16, 2016
Three haunting tales are in Unhallowed Graves:
Book 1 - The Unclean, Desdemona, first daughter of Ukah, becomes wife of Agu of Onori Clan against her will after being berated for reading useless books and wanting to study. Fertility issues, rivalry with her sister-wife, and magic lead to a horrifying conclusion.
Book 2 - Night Market, is a combination of "stranger danger" and "be careful what you wish for." Alan, a Brit, leads a cushy life in Nigeria while his sickly wife Laura languishes. A chance encounter with a girl in the rain leads them down a nightmarish path from which they cannot escape, leading to death..and beyond.
Book 3 - Our Bones Shall Rise Again, Oba is the greatest witchdoctor of the twelve villages. His mother, Nnedi, is a powerful elder. His 2 wives squabble, and his 2 sons are vastly different. His oldest son, Uchenna, is lazy and spoiled, while his youngest son, Obinna, is mute with "strange" powers. Oba is warned by the ancestor spirits to "beware the great water." Disaster strikes the village soon after. On part 2, Obinna is visited by spirits and given information about a great return.
Haunting, somewhat terrifying, but very attention-grabbing. Recommended for people who love horror, magic, and the bit of darkness that lives in us all.
Book 1 - The Unclean, Desdemona, first daughter of Ukah, becomes wife of Agu of Onori Clan against her will after being berated for reading useless books and wanting to study. Fertility issues, rivalry with her sister-wife, and magic lead to a horrifying conclusion.
Book 2 - Night Market, is a combination of "stranger danger" and "be careful what you wish for." Alan, a Brit, leads a cushy life in Nigeria while his sickly wife Laura languishes. A chance encounter with a girl in the rain leads them down a nightmarish path from which they cannot escape, leading to death..and beyond.
Book 3 - Our Bones Shall Rise Again, Oba is the greatest witchdoctor of the twelve villages. His mother, Nnedi, is a powerful elder. His 2 wives squabble, and his 2 sons are vastly different. His oldest son, Uchenna, is lazy and spoiled, while his youngest son, Obinna, is mute with "strange" powers. Oba is warned by the ancestor spirits to "beware the great water." Disaster strikes the village soon after. On part 2, Obinna is visited by spirits and given information about a great return.
Haunting, somewhat terrifying, but very attention-grabbing. Recommended for people who love horror, magic, and the bit of darkness that lives in us all.
Read
April 12, 2016Interview with the author: http://shortstorydayafrica.org/news/m...
Quotes:
- I am a prisoner in a jail without bars. I am the condemned, convicted before her trial. I am the accused, facing her judgement at hte one-man jury in the court of the great Iroko tree, known to the villagers as The Tree of True. -
- The knew he was coming and they were doing everything in their power to keep him away. -
- It was the curse of the village, or perhaps, the blessing, that their ancestors always drummed a warning when a death was imminent in the village. The death always occurred before the break of dawn. It was a known oddity to the surrounding villages that the indigenes of his village only died at night, never in the day time. -
Quotes:
- I am a prisoner in a jail without bars. I am the condemned, convicted before her trial. I am the accused, facing her judgement at hte one-man jury in the court of the great Iroko tree, known to the villagers as The Tree of True. -
- The knew he was coming and they were doing everything in their power to keep him away. -
- It was the curse of the village, or perhaps, the blessing, that their ancestors always drummed a warning when a death was imminent in the village. The death always occurred before the break of dawn. It was a known oddity to the surrounding villages that the indigenes of his village only died at night, never in the day time. -
May 22, 2015
Another excellent book by this author. Three very different stories that share the recurring themes of her work, jealousy , infidelity, pride...
Don't read this on the train to work, you may miss your stop or get angry that you have to work instead of reading. Do read it in the dark, late at night & get creeped out.
Don't read this on the train to work, you may miss your stop or get angry that you have to work instead of reading. Do read it in the dark, late at night & get creeped out.
September 19, 2015
three great african stories to make you think the 1st is about a woman she is sold for mariage and has to pay a high price to her end the second is about an englshman that lets a woman into his car out of kidness and his faced with the night market a place for nightmares and the third is abot vengeance a man betrayed and has to get vengeance won from goodreads giveaway
October 22, 2020
Not a normal book for me, I read a bit of a free sample and I was hooked. I enjoyed the stories and they did send a chill down my spine. Very easy to read, the names were very different for me, but still easy to follow. The stories are different, very original. I would recommend this book, would love to see the stories on film, but they always change them and pretty much ruin the best parts
March 20, 2017
This book was deliciously creepy! With three tales of horror contained within its pages, it can keeep you coming back for more! Definitely worth reading if you enjoy horror stories.
*won on GoodReads First Reads*
*won on GoodReads First Reads*
June 8, 2020
Wonderfully vivid storytelling with some unbelievably fantastic use of description to set tone. These stories swept me away late into the night because I couldn't go to sleep without knowing what would happen.
July 23, 2016
Excellently written and super creepy!
November 5, 2023
This book introduced me to Nigerian - British horror writer Nuzo Onoh. This book is a collection of 3 horror stories which draw heavily from Igbo beliefs, superstitions, culture & society.
All 3 stories blend modern times with ancient folklore, showing the impact of westernization in education, religion, politics & the influx of foreigners in Nigeria. Yet the ancient beliefs & practices in witchdoctors, witchcraft & lores remain.
Hence, it's surprising to read about a church pastor performing witchcraft, or a jealous, white British woman performing black magic on a chic, beautiful, Louboutin wearing Nigerian secretary she's jealous of.
The stories aren't exactly scary, but rather dark & disturbing. And the society reflected in the backdrop is even more disturbing with its representation of child abuse, violent preference for a male heir, suppression of women, superstitions & the arrival of Western people & Christianity.
While I found this book quite dark (despite being an avid horror reader!), I enjoyed learning about Igbo culture.
All 3 stories blend modern times with ancient folklore, showing the impact of westernization in education, religion, politics & the influx of foreigners in Nigeria. Yet the ancient beliefs & practices in witchdoctors, witchcraft & lores remain.
Hence, it's surprising to read about a church pastor performing witchcraft, or a jealous, white British woman performing black magic on a chic, beautiful, Louboutin wearing Nigerian secretary she's jealous of.
The stories aren't exactly scary, but rather dark & disturbing. And the society reflected in the backdrop is even more disturbing with its representation of child abuse, violent preference for a male heir, suppression of women, superstitions & the arrival of Western people & Christianity.
While I found this book quite dark (despite being an avid horror reader!), I enjoyed learning about Igbo culture.
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April 11, 2020Nuzo Onoh impresses with her terrifying vision of the darkest sort of magics and the angriest of spirits. In this collection of stories, Western skepticism must face and come to terms with unimaginable horrors, and those raised with the knowledge of such things know what to avoid and who never to insult (or even be noticed by!) These creepy glimpses into African mysticism leave this reader with dread.
February 1, 2025
Genuinely creepy, Unhallowed Graves was the best book suggestion I've ever gotten from a friend devoted to horror fiction. What a great find in the writings of Nuzo Onoh. The book is comprised of three novellas, Night Market, The Unclean and Our Bones Shall Rise Again. All horrific ghost stories, rich and complex and completely engaged with African culture, magic and myth that's as chilling as it is compelling.
August 13, 2022
The Queen of African Horror continues her reign with this excellent book of African Horror. there are 3 short stories within this collection and all will bring chills! very atmospheric and great characters that come to life (and death!) on the page.
February 14, 2024
A Fantastic Collection!
My first read by Onoh, but certainly not my last. UNHALLOWED GRAVES is a treasure trove of bold, brilliant, and beautifully written fiction. I loved all three stories, and I'm looking forward to more from Onoh. Highly recommended!
My first read by Onoh, but certainly not my last. UNHALLOWED GRAVES is a treasure trove of bold, brilliant, and beautifully written fiction. I loved all three stories, and I'm looking forward to more from Onoh. Highly recommended!
February 18, 2020
These three stories drew me into their world. Heartbreaking and terrifying. These will stay with me.
June 25, 2021
This was a trip. Dark, imaginative and the kind of stories that follow you home and peer at you from around the doorways.
July 30, 2023
The Unclean ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Night Market (Oja-ale) ⭐⭐⭐
Our Bones Shall Rise Again ⭐⭐⭐
Night Market (Oja-ale) ⭐⭐⭐
Our Bones Shall Rise Again ⭐⭐⭐
September 22, 2018
Very enjoyable, unpredictable and horribly creepy stories. Three tales of horror, well-written and entertaining.
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