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A Time for New Dreams
Booker Prize-winning novelist, and one of Britain's foremost poets, Ben Okri is a passionate advocate of the written word. In A Time for New Dreams he breaks new ground in an unusual collection of linked essays, which address such diverse themes as childhood, self-censorship, the role of beauty, the importance of education and the real significance of the recent economic meltdown.
Proving that 'true literature tears up the script' of how we see ourselves, A Time for New Dreams is provocative and thought-provoking. In an intriguing marriage of style and content, the concise but perfectly formed essays in this collection push the parameters of writing whilst asking profound questions about who we are and the future that awaits us.
Proving that 'true literature tears up the script' of how we see ourselves, A Time for New Dreams is provocative and thought-provoking. In an intriguing marriage of style and content, the concise but perfectly formed essays in this collection push the parameters of writing whilst asking profound questions about who we are and the future that awaits us.
160 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2011
About the author
Ben Okri
79 books882 followersPoet and novelist Ben Okri was born in 1959 in Minna, northern Nigeria, to an Igbo mother and Urhobo father. He grew up in London before returning to Nigeria with his family in 1968. Much of his early fiction explores the political violence that he witnessed at first hand during the civil war in Nigeria. He left the country when a grant from the Nigerian government enabled him to read Comparative Literature at Essex University in England.
He was poetry editor for West Africa magazine between 1983 and 1986 and broadcast regularly for the BBC World Service between 1983 and 1985. He was appointed Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College Cambridge in 1991, a post he held until 1993. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1987, and was awarded honorary doctorates from the universities of Westminster (1997) and Essex (2002).
His first two novels, Flowers and Shadows (1980) and The Landscapes Within (1981), are both set in Nigeria and feature as central characters two young men struggling to make sense of the disintegration and chaos happening in both their family and country. The two collections of stories that followed, Incidents at the Shrine (1986) and Stars of the New Curfew (1988), are set in Lagos and London.
In 1991 Okri was awarded the Booker Prize for Fiction for his novel The Famished Road (1991). Set in a Nigerian village, this is the first in a trilogy of novels which tell the story of Azaro, a spirit child. Azaro's narrative is continued in Songs of Enchantment (1993) and Infinite Riches (1998). Other recent fiction includes Astonishing the Gods (1995) and Dangerous Love (1996), which was awarded the Premio Palmi (Italy) in 2000. His latest novels are In Arcadia (2002) and Starbook (2007).
A collection of poems, An African Elegy, was published in 1992, and an epic poem, Mental Flight, in 1999. A collection of essays, A Way of Being Free, was published in 1997. Ben Okri is also the author of a play, In Exilus.
In his latest book, Tales of Freedom (2009), Okri brings together poetry and story.
Ben Okri is a Vice-President of the English Centre of International PEN, a member of the board of the Royal National Theatre, and was awarded an OBE in 2001. He lives in London.
He was poetry editor for West Africa magazine between 1983 and 1986 and broadcast regularly for the BBC World Service between 1983 and 1985. He was appointed Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College Cambridge in 1991, a post he held until 1993. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1987, and was awarded honorary doctorates from the universities of Westminster (1997) and Essex (2002).
His first two novels, Flowers and Shadows (1980) and The Landscapes Within (1981), are both set in Nigeria and feature as central characters two young men struggling to make sense of the disintegration and chaos happening in both their family and country. The two collections of stories that followed, Incidents at the Shrine (1986) and Stars of the New Curfew (1988), are set in Lagos and London.
In 1991 Okri was awarded the Booker Prize for Fiction for his novel The Famished Road (1991). Set in a Nigerian village, this is the first in a trilogy of novels which tell the story of Azaro, a spirit child. Azaro's narrative is continued in Songs of Enchantment (1993) and Infinite Riches (1998). Other recent fiction includes Astonishing the Gods (1995) and Dangerous Love (1996), which was awarded the Premio Palmi (Italy) in 2000. His latest novels are In Arcadia (2002) and Starbook (2007).
A collection of poems, An African Elegy, was published in 1992, and an epic poem, Mental Flight, in 1999. A collection of essays, A Way of Being Free, was published in 1997. Ben Okri is also the author of a play, In Exilus.
In his latest book, Tales of Freedom (2009), Okri brings together poetry and story.
Ben Okri is a Vice-President of the English Centre of International PEN, a member of the board of the Royal National Theatre, and was awarded an OBE in 2001. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 6, 2016
"1. There is a secret trail of books meant to inspire and enlighten you. Find that trail.
2. Read outside your nation, colour, class and gender.
3. Read the books your parents hate.
4. Read the books your parents love.
5. Have one or two authors that are important, that speak to you; and make their works your secret passion.
6. Read widely, for fun, for stimulation, for escape.
7. Don't read what everyone else is reading. Check them out later, cautiously.
8. Read what you're not supposed to read.
9. Read for your own liberation and mental freedom.
10. Books are like mirrors. Don't just read the words. Go into the mirror. That is where the real secrets are. Inside. Behind. That's where the gods dream, where our realities are born.
10 1/2. Read the world. It is the most mysterious book of all."
2. Read outside your nation, colour, class and gender.
3. Read the books your parents hate.
4. Read the books your parents love.
5. Have one or two authors that are important, that speak to you; and make their works your secret passion.
6. Read widely, for fun, for stimulation, for escape.
7. Don't read what everyone else is reading. Check them out later, cautiously.
8. Read what you're not supposed to read.
9. Read for your own liberation and mental freedom.
10. Books are like mirrors. Don't just read the words. Go into the mirror. That is where the real secrets are. Inside. Behind. That's where the gods dream, where our realities are born.
10 1/2. Read the world. It is the most mysterious book of all."
January 21, 2021
I'm being destroyed by too many books, too many ideas ,too many prophecies, too many philosophies, too many discoveries, too many geniuses, too many broken titans and towering charlatans...
I have to admit Ben Okri's writing style is absolutely phenomenal and this collection of essays does not disappoint. Ben Okri invites us to think for ourselves especially in this age where we are bombarded by information and ideologies from different parts of the world and especially for us African people I think its important to re evaluate our values and Ben Okri ask of us not to forget our ancestors and that which they fought for.
Saying that I always have reservations about comparing Africans with western peoples especially their colonizers in terms of progress and political thought and art, so the references to western philosophers, artists and writers people didn't interest me at all. But lovely all the same.
I have to admit Ben Okri's writing style is absolutely phenomenal and this collection of essays does not disappoint. Ben Okri invites us to think for ourselves especially in this age where we are bombarded by information and ideologies from different parts of the world and especially for us African people I think its important to re evaluate our values and Ben Okri ask of us not to forget our ancestors and that which they fought for.
Saying that I always have reservations about comparing Africans with western peoples especially their colonizers in terms of progress and political thought and art, so the references to western philosophers, artists and writers people didn't interest me at all. But lovely all the same.
September 14, 2013
"Writers are the very sign of the psychic health of a people. They are the barometer of the vitality of the spirit of a nation.They are the beacon on the promontory signaling that there dwells a people strong enough to face its truths, brave enough to confront its demons, confident enough to diagnose the necessary drastic healing required for its malaise. They symbolize a people creative enough to dream new possibilities that will expand the psychic and moral resources of the land,and free enough to launch into great new adventures of the spirit. In this way, true writers herald discovery, productivity, fertility, and resistance to spiritual despair.They embody that sublime sense of fearlessness in the challenging enterprise of civilization."
July 20, 2017
What a beautiful book.
December 17, 2011
Now with lovely highlights. I highlighted all the lovely phrases and aphorisms. His thoughts created a lot of debate between my friends and I, about creative spaces and dialogue in our country. Speculation about the African situation, suggestions on how it can be solved. I recommend this book to any Okri fan. I enjoyed it very much, it is a book that I will be reading over and over again. Superbly written and a joy to read.
April 10, 2024
Mesmerising Essays. Okri does what he does best, ask deep questions of the reader and helps us as humans think on what we're doing. Here, Okri is first philosopher and then poet before he is a story teller. It's a set of essays thet should read and reread.
May 13, 2014
'We are still primitives in the art of being human.'- Okri
June 21, 2017
My edition is filled with numerous bookmarks because there’s so much to love and remember. A collection of essays, poetry and prose about art, writing, reading and everything in between, basically as silly as it might sound, about life. I’m definitely going to come back to this one, again and again.
I also have to mention, I might never have read this or come across this if not for the fabulous book cover by Two Associates at the bookstore. Spotted a friend looking at it and fell in love. Thank you to her as she let me take this one.
Definitely keeping this edition on my table for a long time as a reminder of beautiful design and Ben Okri’s magical words. Also super excited to scout for other work by Okri.
I also have to mention, I might never have read this or come across this if not for the fabulous book cover by Two Associates at the bookstore. Spotted a friend looking at it and fell in love. Thank you to her as she let me take this one.
Definitely keeping this edition on my table for a long time as a reminder of beautiful design and Ben Okri’s magical words. Also super excited to scout for other work by Okri.
December 31, 2022
A Time For New Dreams is a collection of musings on quite a number of things. Topics ranging from Africa and its potential, to beauty, childhood and subtle jabs at the experimental parenting that most children are products of, to youth and studying the self. The musings are delicate pieces of truth, and like Okri's other books they bite with their honesty. Yet simultaneously they soothe in an unexplainable way, perhaps the feeling of having read something that rings true soothes one that way.
This book is short and intimate. It's the kind of book you never realize you should read until you're reading it. It's the kind of book I would love for a gift and the kind I would give anyone ready to read this flawed yet honest musings of a book.
This book is short and intimate. It's the kind of book you never realize you should read until you're reading it. It's the kind of book I would love for a gift and the kind I would give anyone ready to read this flawed yet honest musings of a book.
June 22, 2017
I read Ben Okri's A Way of Being Free and it was the
Bible of my twenties. I was hoping this was going to be a primer of a similar sort. Notes of life, art, hospitality, Africa, childhood, and gentle tenets of what it means to be human - are all compiled here. It's an inspirational read but it lacked the personal voice I'd heard before when I read Ben Okri. I missed that. It made this book removed from me and my experiences.
Bible of my twenties. I was hoping this was going to be a primer of a similar sort. Notes of life, art, hospitality, Africa, childhood, and gentle tenets of what it means to be human - are all compiled here. It's an inspirational read but it lacked the personal voice I'd heard before when I read Ben Okri. I missed that. It made this book removed from me and my experiences.
March 14, 2018
Musings on which to muse.
Considered. Positive. Constructive. Soulful.
Reading this book on Kindle, I kept on highlighting passages that resonate with me. I had to stop, as it silly to have a whole book highlighted.
I say resonate (present tense) as these reflections are sitting with me, and I will return to them often.
Okri, you have a fan in me. You speak my thoughts with words I do not have.
Thank you.
Considered. Positive. Constructive. Soulful.
Reading this book on Kindle, I kept on highlighting passages that resonate with me. I had to stop, as it silly to have a whole book highlighted.
I say resonate (present tense) as these reflections are sitting with me, and I will return to them often.
Okri, you have a fan in me. You speak my thoughts with words I do not have.
Thank you.
July 29, 2020
Dit is een steengoed geschreven niet-religieuze preek over blinde vlekken, openstaan voor andere werelden, stoppen met het vergelijken van levens die onvergelijkbaar zijn en eens met andere ogen naar de homogeniteit van je boekenkast te kijken. Waar komen de schrijvers die je leest vandaan? Okri nodigt uit tot stilstaan en echt luisteren en daarna, nadat je het boek dichtgeslagen hebt, tot om je heen kijken en nieuwsgierig zijn naar de dingen die je nog níet kent.
July 20, 2022
This book has stayed with me for all the right reasons: some of the writing is exquisite, some of the ideas inspiring, at some points I’ve been furious with the writing but can’t stop thinking about why. Borrowed this from the library but will probably buy a copy. I have a feeling this will be revisited frequently, and likely different each time. I love books like that.
March 7, 2018
I really liked two topics in the book, the first one is (Education) and the other one is (Africa), they were unique and interesting.
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November 29, 2020A collection of writings of how things are in the world and how they perhaps they should be, with essays about Africa, art, about literature and identity, importance of education, childhood, beauty, race. Themes connected through writing and the written word.
In some of these essays Okri plays on words, which give the collection a poetic, rhythmic feel. Reflective, thoughtful, eloquent and persuasive.
In some of these essays Okri plays on words, which give the collection a poetic, rhythmic feel. Reflective, thoughtful, eloquent and persuasive.
August 16, 2014
A timely read what with raging wars and lost planes.
Okri writes from his heart and the short essays and perspectives were surprisingly refreshing in comparison to the recent philosophy books I have been reading.
I especially love his approach and philosophy to life and how we should live, with my favourite essays being 'Plato's Dream', 'One Planet, One People' and 'When Colours Return Home to Light'- all touching on the subject of unity, equality, and freedom. His other essays were a bit of a hit and miss but who are we to stop a man to write on what he holds close to his heart, what more to turn them into poetry.
Reading this book brought me back to my younger days when I believed that an ideal world exist. And perhaps it is what we need now - to dream and not lose hope in a better world.
Okri writes from his heart and the short essays and perspectives were surprisingly refreshing in comparison to the recent philosophy books I have been reading.
I especially love his approach and philosophy to life and how we should live, with my favourite essays being 'Plato's Dream', 'One Planet, One People' and 'When Colours Return Home to Light'- all touching on the subject of unity, equality, and freedom. His other essays were a bit of a hit and miss but who are we to stop a man to write on what he holds close to his heart, what more to turn them into poetry.
Reading this book brought me back to my younger days when I believed that an ideal world exist. And perhaps it is what we need now - to dream and not lose hope in a better world.
August 18, 2015
A Time For New Dreams is a painfully, overwhelmingly beautiful collection of poetic essays about childhood, Africa, being a writer, responsabiluty and honour of being a poet, poetry, life, London, photograohy and so much!
Those are some of my favourites essays:
"Books are like mirrors. Don't just read the words. Go into the mirrot. That is where the real secrets are. Inside. Behind. That's where the gods dream, where our realities are born".
"Africa is our dreamland, our spiritual homeland."
"It's Africa turn to smile."
"That would be the loveliest gift of the twenty-first century: to make Africa smile."
"Then humanity can be begin to think of the universe, even the remote stars, as its true home.
"Read the world. It is the most mysterious book af all."
Those are some of my favourites essays:
"Books are like mirrors. Don't just read the words. Go into the mirrot. That is where the real secrets are. Inside. Behind. That's where the gods dream, where our realities are born".
"Africa is our dreamland, our spiritual homeland."
"It's Africa turn to smile."
"That would be the loveliest gift of the twenty-first century: to make Africa smile."
"Then humanity can be begin to think of the universe, even the remote stars, as its true home.
"Read the world. It is the most mysterious book af all."
August 4, 2011
3,5 stars
very poetic, which can be annoying sometimes. It carries a universal message. At times i thought what the writer asked the people to do was unrealistic. Some articles were BEAUTIFUL. I will quote a lot from this book. I loved his articles on childhood, writers and nations, seeing and being, self-censorship, the future city, form and content and healing Africa. This book should be read in a quiet, comfortable place with a cup of coffee.
=)
very poetic, which can be annoying sometimes. It carries a universal message. At times i thought what the writer asked the people to do was unrealistic. Some articles were BEAUTIFUL. I will quote a lot from this book. I loved his articles on childhood, writers and nations, seeing and being, self-censorship, the future city, form and content and healing Africa. This book should be read in a quiet, comfortable place with a cup of coffee.
=)
August 31, 2012
very inspiring book the language is so poetic and effective.I really liked how some essays beautifully made me contemplate and read again such as the self censorship,one planet one people ,on childhood,writers and nation, photography and immortality. On the other hand there were some essays out of beauty in meanings and the massage was erratic such as an essay in ricochet. This book did really inspire me and it's one of the books that I would certainly read again ;)
August 11, 2011
A fast-to-read book that contains a few enjoyable quotes and articles. However, I thought that the rest of the book (most of it) is just a heap load of philosophical and spiritual nonsense. But that's just me...
December 16, 2012
This is my LIFEBOOK. If you haven't read this book, please do because I promise, you will never regret it. Ben Okri's writing has a poetic beauty of its own and his short essays are relevant to life itself. It something everyone should both read, and remember.
December 16, 2012
I fell in love with this book from the first page to the last. It's one of those books that I will return to again and again. It's a little bit like Thoreaux but more contemporary.
June 8, 2013
Hooked to Ben Okri.
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June 17, 2020So beautiful, so magical...
July 8, 2016
Enjoyable journey into the thoughts of Ben Okri
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews