logo

50 pages 1 hour read

Helon Habila

Oil on Water

Helon HabilaFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Helon Habila

Oil on Water

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010
Book Details
Pages

251

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Niger Delta • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Oil on Water by Helon Habila, journalists Rufus and Zaq journey into the conflict-ridden Niger Delta to find a kidnapped white woman named Isabel Floode, whose abduction entangles them in a violent struggle between the Nigerian government and militant forces over oil exploitation, impacting the region's impoverished communities and natural environment. The book includes sensitive topics such as violence and environmental devastation.

Dark

Mysterious

Gritty

Melancholic

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

3.9

1,999 ratings

55%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Oil on Water by Helon Habila receives praise for its vivid portrayal of environmental and socio-political issues in the Niger Delta. Reviewers commend Habila's gripping narrative and strong character development. However, some criticize the pacing and complexity of the plot. Overall, it is seen as a compelling, though challenging, read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Oil on Water?

Readers who enjoy Oil on Water by Helon Habila typically appreciate gripping tales of environmental and socio-political conflict, rich with moral complexity and human struggle. Fans of Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver will find this book compelling.

3.9

1,999 ratings

55%

Loved it

33%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

251

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Niger Delta • 2000s

Publication Year

2010

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.