September 1, 2023
Booker Prize for Fiction winner Okri (Every Leaf a Hallelujah) has adapted a 4,000-year-old Egyptian poem into a play in which two actors play multiple roles. It's a fascinating glimpse into the depths of a soul struggling to understand their place in the world. Warrior King Sinuhe is gender-transcendent. Unable to accept their value, they're always worried about what others might think of them. When Sinuhe gets caught up in a conspiracy, they panic and run far away. Sinuhe reluctantly leaves behind a piece of themselves, their spirit (who is played by the second actor). Although a love interest provides a distraction from the hollowing sorrow Sinuhe regularly feels, it is not until they are able to reunite with their spirit that they can truly understand the vast range of their journey. With philosophical insight into the human psyche, Okri manages to create a short play that questions the impact of internal and external influences on people. VERDICT Fans of Egyptian history, short stories, and plays and those with deep philosophical questions will enjoy this text. Often triggering thoughtful retrospection and occasionally offering surprising splashes of humor, Okri's play is recommended for readers who have questioned their place in the world.--Shannon Meyer
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