Definitely more readable than the first installment, but sharing in its lack of focus. This book very much feels like a middle book, where things are getting worse, without reaching a climax. Its chapters are very short, giving you the feeling that you are really making pace, especially since the book is less than three hundred pages long, about half the lenght of part one.It's unclear how much time has passed since the beginning of the first novel and the events in this one, but Azaro is apparently aged, without showing any character growth. In fact, he doesn't seem like much of a character anyway, because it is impossible to really connect to him.Songs of Enchantment seems to have more focus on the weird stuff that happens because of the road awakening and Madame Koto (and of course, Azaro's spirit companions), and it feels like it makes less of a political point than the first one, as the Party of the Rich and the Party of the Poor are not nearly as prominent as the spirit world breaking through.It's an easy book to get through, but in the end I'm not sure what its point is, and though there has been escalation, it clear this book is only leading up to part three.
What do You think about Songs Of Enchantment (1994)?
I had high expectations going into Songs of enchantment. Its predecessor was one of the best books I have ever read regardless of genre. Okri has an excellent command of language and it’s evident in this book, sadly this pales in comparison to 'Famished Road.' It’s a convoluted story that leaves a lot to be desired. Azaro often feels like a secondary character in a book where he’s supposed to be the main character. In fact this seems like the book is centered around his father who plays an integral part in this story.I can’t imagine anyone who hasn’t read the previous book being able to make heads or tails of what is going on. There’s just too much coming at you from different angles. There are still some fascinating themes in songs of enchantment, I am just saddened its not a worthy successor to the excellent 'Famished Road.'
—M.i.
