FOR most Nigerians in Diaspora coming back home after spending several years in the Whiteman’s land usually comes with mixed feelings. The cultural shock of moving back, the traffic, the epileptic power supply makes the decision very difficult. In spite of these numerous challenges associated with the transition process, every true Nigeria will tell you that there is really no place like home.

Narrating her experience, the author Angel Okwuosa, reveals her experience through the eyes of an eight year-old girl named Ona Chukwu the eldest of three children in the family.

The 77 pages book spread over 12 chapters, published by Xlibris publishing has a sub-titles like: A rude Awakening, Welcome to Nigeria, Starting school and domestics, Church, Friends and family, Common entrance exams, Party time, Holidays, First year of secondary school and the flight, Back to America, The comparisons and The end of the beginning.

Sudden announcement

The book which is an easy read with simple narrative language structures that are easily comprehended centres on a family of five how a family relocated from the United States to Nigeria; the sudden announcement, the preparations, the trip back and the experiences living in Nigeria within the first year.

Set in major city in London and Nigeria, the first chapter subtitled: a rude awakening narrates the shock the children experienced when they were initially informed that they were moving and how they wished it was a nightmare they would wake up from. Unfortunately it was a harsh reality they had to deal with.

First, as a good story teller, Anaecheri introduced the intrigues of surprises at the outset, employing elements of flashback that reveals hers narrative technique as seen in the lives of the major characters. The novel also provides a window into western and Africa culture, comparing their different ways of life.Although the story is fascinating, each chapter in Homebound is almost predictable. Despite what they encountered, their transition challenges, adaptation process not withstanding was understandable.