Twisted Path To A Destination 

A Review By Sam Nkire

A few years ago about this season, the daughter of the author of the book in review Dr (Mrs) Fidelia Ugwu (MBBS, FWA etc), honoured her late father, Chief A. O. Ude with a presentation of this book – Twisted Path To A Destination, which he wrote before death but couldn’t publish. At that auspicious occasion which also featured Fidelia’s birthday celebration, this writer was both a guest to the party and a reviewer of the book. Below is what I said during my review of the book in Abuja.

I guess the reason why I am asked by members of Late Chief Aloysius Ojieme Ude’s family to review this book on this auspicious occasion of Dr Fidelia’s birthday is because A. O., as he was popularly called, had a younger friend in me.

There were occasions during his lifetime, when he came visiting me in company of his wife Florence Ude. On those occasions we would talk about politics and religion but he took greater interest in religious matters, conduct of protestant pastors and clergies, knowing that I was a son of a protestant bishop myself. 

There is no gain saying the fact that the cover page illustration aptly mirrors the soul of the story and the contents of the book – Twisted Path To A Destination, as it captures the experiences, lives and times of the various characters painted in the book, from beginning to epilogue. The cover design is enough to lead anyone to conclude that the story is about the ups and downs, trials and temptations associated with human endeavour and existence. 

An interesting tale intended as a weapon of pontification to drive home the gospel of godliness, morality, family virtues and social justice; Twisted Path To A Destination is a racy work of fiction which is capable of sustaining the reader’s concentration and interest from blasting of the whistle till the end of it all. 

The book which centers on three main characters, Agnes the housemaid and cook, Chief Gòdwin Osa , the rich business owner and his saintly wife, Florence, is a complete departure from many of the contemporary narratives which continue to negate the need to preach high moral values, lack of which, has to a large extent, been contributory to the high level of vices such as immorality, corruption and insecurity that we witness in our country today.

My assessment of the book, “Twisted Path To A Destination” is that it represents a fictional genre which brings out the richness in Chief A. O. Ude’s imagination and writing talent. For instance, the book reveals the author’s ability, especially towards the end (chapter nine in particular), to deliver a rude message to both politicians and corrupt people in government who neglect the development, economic and social well-being of the people. 

The lucidity the author’s creative imagination expressed at an old age of nearly eighty years is quite uncanny if you ask me. And this clearly means that “A.O” who was wildly known as “the author and publisher” remained brilliant to the end.

Each time I read this book written by someone I took for a mentor, I literally hear his voice telling this story again and again due to my close association with him in his lifetime.

It is not for no reason that Chief A. O. Ude was addressed as “author and publisher.” He lived the profession and plied the trade. Reading through the Introduction to Twisted Path To A Destination by his son, Austin, the conclusion would be that the author truly qualifies to be called a self-made man for rising to prominence despite losing his father at the young age of ten.

With only the primary school formal education, the author of the book in review taught himself through the junior and senior Cambridge examinations which he passed with flying colours. This enabled him become an English teacher in several secondary schools and colleges in the then Western Nigeria and surrounding cities, including Urobo College, Warri.

Soon after quitting teaching, “A. O.” made a handsome living from printing and publishing in Onitsha, Eastern Nigeria and flurished in the business for the rest of his life. Some of his early works included Qualifying Tests in English Language, Nigerian Bachelor’s Guide, and How to Avoid Poverty to name but very few.

Although a fiction, describing imaginary events, places, and people, the author all the same presented Twisted Path To A Destination in such a unique style that communicated to the readers his philosophy and strong belief in God, discipline and uprightness without apologies, yet without offending sensibilities.

One could see through the book that both the author and main characters, all passed through twisted path to their various destinations (as seen on the cover), making nonsense of the popular axiom which says: “You can’t judge a book by the cover.”

The fact that the author lived in a different era may have influenced his style of description but that took away nothing from understanding his motive. His ability to connect and hold the reader spell-bound is simply ingenious, considering his level of formal schooling.

Chief A. O. Ude would have been 105 years old if he lived until today but he did not hurry to eternity without teaching humanity (including politicians) a lesson or two about obedience to God, sanctity of the institution of matrimony, morality, service to man and God, especially by those in authority and power.

Twisted Path To A Destination is a racy, breathtaking fictional genre which you may find difficult to put down once you start reading. It also goes a long way to expose the author’s rich and sharp power of imagination, writing talent and ability. There may be a few but negligible errors, especially in typography, but the book mirrors what goes on in society; in some families, between husbands and housemaids, and what a good or Christian home should not be.

I therefore and hereby recommend this book to everyone here present (or not) as a “must read.”