Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Penguin Canada (2013), 432 pages
Description
A car tumbles through darkness down a snowy ravine. A woman without a name walks out of a dust storm in Africa. And in the seething heat of Lagos City, a criminal cartel scours the Internet, looking for victims. Lives intersect. Worlds collide. And it all begins with a single email: 'Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help ... ' At once a chilling thriller about a lonely woman avenging her father's death and an epic portrait of morality and corruption across the globe, Will Ferguson's Giller Prize-winning novel plunges into the labyrinth of li.
Media reviews
So what to make of 419? Surely, talented authors should stretch their bounds. Ferguson can do many things, from travel writing to joke-telling to satire. What he can’t do is present believable earnestness. As an artist, 419 plays to all of his faults, and few of his talents. He has attempted to
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test himself by writing an international tragedy in the vein of Michael Ondaatje, but has imported many more of Ondaatje’s excesses than achievements. Show Less
Quill and Quire
The novel is further enlivened by sharp dialogue and imagery. Looking out from her apartment window at Calgary’s crane-crowned winter skyline, Laura sees “a city that was constantly erasing and rewriting itself. A cold city, exhaling steam.” Later, Nnamdi remembers the day the men from the
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oil company suddenly emerged from the dense mangrove thickets to stake the villagers’ ancestral land: “More and more men boiled out of the [jungle] gap like ants.”
But too often, especially in the novel’s first half, the prose reveals a talented author working against the instincts and storytelling gifts that served him so well in his other works. Hopefully Ferguson finds equally compelling material to work with in his next novel, be it comic or otherwise, and this time trusts his gut a little more. Show Less
Until Ferguson’s characters move toward inevitable confrontations in Lagos, 419 suffers some drag. But from roughly page 187 on, you won’t sleep until you finish, and then rest won’t come easily. Riveting. Provocative.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lit_chick
“Dear Sir, I am the son of an exiled Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help ...” (Ch 81)
419 is written in four story-threads. In Canada, a Calgary man is killed when his vehicle goes over a snowy ravine. On the other side of the world, in Nigeria, an internet criminal, Winston, phishes for
The four threads of the novel eventually intersect, but not until well into the second half of the novel. Investigators determine that the deceased Calgary man had been a victim of an internet scam out of Nigeria, named 419 for the section of that country’s criminal code which deals with fraud. It’s easy to place Winston at the scene in Africa so far as the fraud goes. But the stories of Amina, pregnant woman, and Nnamdi, young boy, require more patience. For one, both are minor characters in the novel whose backstories take up more space than their actual roles in the plot. We finally learn Amina’s name in Chapter 67. And Nnamdi narrates the story of how “Mr. Shell" and other big-oil accomplices have decimated not only the Niger Delta’s once vibrant ecosystem but also its social fabric, paving the way for a thriving criminal element. I get that, I do – but perhaps the evils of big-oil could have been the focus of another novel.
In case it is not already apparent, I was disappointed in 419. There is no question that Ferguson is a talented writer, but this endeavor, while a respectable read, is not one I will recommend. For me, it got lost in its too “widescreen” scope – an ambition which required too-lengthy backstories and resulted in too-unlikely plot developments and conclusion. No surprise that I do not share the enthusiasm of the 2012 Giller Prize Jury for 419.
419 is written in four story-threads. In Canada, a Calgary man is killed when his vehicle goes over a snowy ravine. On the other side of the world, in Nigeria, an internet criminal, Winston, phishes for
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victims, an expectant woman wanders through a sandstorm, and a young boy navigates oil spills in the Niger Delta.The four threads of the novel eventually intersect, but not until well into the second half of the novel. Investigators determine that the deceased Calgary man had been a victim of an internet scam out of Nigeria, named 419 for the section of that country’s criminal code which deals with fraud. It’s easy to place Winston at the scene in Africa so far as the fraud goes. But the stories of Amina, pregnant woman, and Nnamdi, young boy, require more patience. For one, both are minor characters in the novel whose backstories take up more space than their actual roles in the plot. We finally learn Amina’s name in Chapter 67. And Nnamdi narrates the story of how “Mr. Shell" and other big-oil accomplices have decimated not only the Niger Delta’s once vibrant ecosystem but also its social fabric, paving the way for a thriving criminal element. I get that, I do – but perhaps the evils of big-oil could have been the focus of another novel.
In case it is not already apparent, I was disappointed in 419. There is no question that Ferguson is a talented writer, but this endeavor, while a respectable read, is not one I will recommend. For me, it got lost in its too “widescreen” scope – an ambition which required too-lengthy backstories and resulted in too-unlikely plot developments and conclusion. No surprise that I do not share the enthusiasm of the 2012 Giller Prize Jury for 419.
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LibraryThing member kidzdoc
"Four one nine is not a game, it is a contest of wills," Ironsi-Egobia continued. "It is Nigerian cunning versus oyibo greed, and in such a tussle, cunning always has the advantage. Why? Because greed clouds men's eyes, fogs their gaze. Cunning focuses it. We are tax collectors, Adam. We charge a
419, the winner of the 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize, begins with a mysterious automobile accident in Calgary that claims the life of Henry Curtis, a retired schoolteacher. That is the first of a series of surprises that follow, as his wife, his son Wallace and his daughter Laura soon find out that Henry was the victim of a Nigerian e-mail scam that has claimed his and his wife's life savings and has left them nearly $200,000 in debt. The local Canadian police share details of the conversations Henry had with a supposed Nigerian bank executive, but the family is informed that this money is lost forever, and they should not attempt to reclaim it by contacting Canadian or Nigerian officials. Wallace verbally expresses his anger and frustration with vehemence, while Laura quietly plans what action she can take to gain revenge for her father's death.
Winston is a university educated young Nigerian who operates out of an Internet parlor in Lagos creating 419 e-mail scams alongside other yahoo boys (419 refers to the section in the Nigerian Criminal Code that concerns fraud). He works independently and is quite successful, and as a result he is selected by Ironsi-Egobia, a local strong man, to run his scams in private under his "protection".
Nnamdi is a bright village youth selected by Dutch oil company officials for training as a mechanic, and later becomes a Shell Man, who earns a hefty salary but is loathed by other young men nearby. He later collaborates with some of them, and undertakes an even more lucrative job whose risks are outweighed by its potential profits.
The lives of these three main characters converge in Lagos, a chaotic city where corruption is rampant and danger is always present. The story progressively picks up speed as it reaches its terrifying and unexpected conclusion.
419 is an action packed novel that takes big risks, yet largely fails to deliver on them, in the manner of a batter who takes a mighty swing at a baseball and hits a high drive that falls well short of the outfield fence and lands harmlessly in a fielder's glove. The story regularly strained credulity, and ultimately I lost interest in the lives of its characters. Although it does seem to paint a believable, though bleak, picture of modern Nigeria and provides information about the effects of 419 scams on Westerners and Nigerians, it ultimately was an unsatisfying read.
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tax on greed. We should be congratulated, not prosecuted, and yet it is we who are called the criminals. Criminals! They talk about Nigeria's 'culture of corruption.' What of Europe's 'culture of greed'? What of America's? What of these oyibos agreeing to schemes that are so clearly illegal, were they to be true? Moving millions of dollars out of a poverty-stricken nation, profiteering on Nigeria's hardships? Are the mugus not criminals too? Aspiring criminals, but criminals still. Are they not accomplices as much as they are victims? This is what the fools at the EFCC fail to see."419, the winner of the 2012 Scotiabank Giller Prize, begins with a mysterious automobile accident in Calgary that claims the life of Henry Curtis, a retired schoolteacher. That is the first of a series of surprises that follow, as his wife, his son Wallace and his daughter Laura soon find out that Henry was the victim of a Nigerian e-mail scam that has claimed his and his wife's life savings and has left them nearly $200,000 in debt. The local Canadian police share details of the conversations Henry had with a supposed Nigerian bank executive, but the family is informed that this money is lost forever, and they should not attempt to reclaim it by contacting Canadian or Nigerian officials. Wallace verbally expresses his anger and frustration with vehemence, while Laura quietly plans what action she can take to gain revenge for her father's death.
Winston is a university educated young Nigerian who operates out of an Internet parlor in Lagos creating 419 e-mail scams alongside other yahoo boys (419 refers to the section in the Nigerian Criminal Code that concerns fraud). He works independently and is quite successful, and as a result he is selected by Ironsi-Egobia, a local strong man, to run his scams in private under his "protection".
Nnamdi is a bright village youth selected by Dutch oil company officials for training as a mechanic, and later becomes a Shell Man, who earns a hefty salary but is loathed by other young men nearby. He later collaborates with some of them, and undertakes an even more lucrative job whose risks are outweighed by its potential profits.
The lives of these three main characters converge in Lagos, a chaotic city where corruption is rampant and danger is always present. The story progressively picks up speed as it reaches its terrifying and unexpected conclusion.
419 is an action packed novel that takes big risks, yet largely fails to deliver on them, in the manner of a batter who takes a mighty swing at a baseball and hits a high drive that falls well short of the outfield fence and lands harmlessly in a fielder's glove. The story regularly strained credulity, and ultimately I lost interest in the lives of its characters. Although it does seem to paint a believable, though bleak, picture of modern Nigeria and provides information about the effects of 419 scams on Westerners and Nigerians, it ultimately was an unsatisfying read.
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LibraryThing member MaggieFlo
The Nigerian email scam which seeks funds on behalf of some poor suffering Nigerian is the centre plot of this story. One of the victims is a retired Calgary man whose family, in particular, his daughter seeks revenge on the perpetrators.
This is a story about victims and they are not just those
This is a story about victims and they are not just those
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gullible enough to fall for these emails scams. Victims are strewn across Nigeria because of government corruption and the insatiable demands of the oil giants in the Delta. This is a good book but I found it dwelt too long on the Amina and Naambe stories. Show Less
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
Who knew that Will Ferguson could write seriously with such accomplishment? I had previously read his travel memoir Beyond Belfast and really enjoyed it. But I hadn't read any of his fiction and I wondered if he could really make the transition. However, a friend recommended 419 and then it was
We've all received emails from Nigeria offering us a cut of millions of dollars if we would just let the money be deposited into our bank account. Most of us delete these emails without even reading them. However, some people must read them and respond because the Nigerian scam artists keep sending them out. That's the premise behind this book. Laura Curtis's father was one of those who responded. He ended up sending all his savings and mortgaging his house to Nigeria. When it became apparent to him that he had lost everything he drove his car off the road and over a precipice. He had recently upped his life insurance and made Laura the beneficiary but because he committed suicide the insurance company refused to pay. Bit by bit the family finds out the extent of the loss and how the scam was run.
Meanwhile in Nigeria an Ijaw boy from the Delta is hired by one of the oil companies. Nnamdi has learned how to fix engines from his father and he quickly ascends to fixing oil company machinery. However he is let go when the oil companies start losing executives and valuable assets to Nigerian bandits. Much further north a young woman wrapped in indigo robes and with facial scars and a baby in her womb starts walking south. When Nnamdi is hired on as a driver and mechanic for a tanker truck going north he finds this young woman scavenging for food. He decides, against the wishes of his co-driver, to give her a ride south. The woman is called Amina.
Eventually Laura, Nnamdi and Amina come together in Lagos. All of them are changed by the encounter.
The tension builds in this book almost right to the end. Laura is a true Canadian heroine, shy, self-effacing but determined. I can't imagine doing what she did but I haven't gone through what she had to go through. I cared about Laura and that is important to me in liking a book.
Highly recommended.
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short-listed for the Giller prize so I thought I should check it out.We've all received emails from Nigeria offering us a cut of millions of dollars if we would just let the money be deposited into our bank account. Most of us delete these emails without even reading them. However, some people must read them and respond because the Nigerian scam artists keep sending them out. That's the premise behind this book. Laura Curtis's father was one of those who responded. He ended up sending all his savings and mortgaging his house to Nigeria. When it became apparent to him that he had lost everything he drove his car off the road and over a precipice. He had recently upped his life insurance and made Laura the beneficiary but because he committed suicide the insurance company refused to pay. Bit by bit the family finds out the extent of the loss and how the scam was run.
Meanwhile in Nigeria an Ijaw boy from the Delta is hired by one of the oil companies. Nnamdi has learned how to fix engines from his father and he quickly ascends to fixing oil company machinery. However he is let go when the oil companies start losing executives and valuable assets to Nigerian bandits. Much further north a young woman wrapped in indigo robes and with facial scars and a baby in her womb starts walking south. When Nnamdi is hired on as a driver and mechanic for a tanker truck going north he finds this young woman scavenging for food. He decides, against the wishes of his co-driver, to give her a ride south. The woman is called Amina.
Eventually Laura, Nnamdi and Amina come together in Lagos. All of them are changed by the encounter.
The tension builds in this book almost right to the end. Laura is a true Canadian heroine, shy, self-effacing but determined. I can't imagine doing what she did but I haven't gone through what she had to go through. I cared about Laura and that is important to me in liking a book.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member Smits
this was a great book. It was filled with layers of intrigue and humanity. it was filled with mastery in con and human misery. it has suspense, twists, and great characters. i felt for laura and her relationship with her father. I appreciated the strength in Amina and the honesty and goodness of
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Nnamdi. I was always wondering how these relationships would all come together , how these characters would meet up.I also learned a lot about the African country of Nigeria. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
There are many things that I liked about this novel, but as many that I disliked. I found that the descriptions of Nigeria were outstanding, from life in the Delta, to Lagos and the various adventures, there is a true sense that the author did much research and imbibed himself in the culture and
I thought the structure was laborious and sometimes downright dull (Amina's introduction as the girl in the Sahel felt pointlessly long); there were too many gaps and asides to consistently keep my interest up. The main characters, apart from Nnamdi, were unpleasant and downright callous; I had no sympathy for Laura who was both selfish and cowardly. Despite lengthy descriptions, I didn't feel the characters grow or change, in fact I felt that they were fickle (Nnamdi getting into shady dealings and Winston wanting to turn a new leaf). Not to mention the plot that was full of holes and inconsistencies.
I enjoyed reading it from the African perspective but would not recommend it.
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geography. I also enjoyed the contrast between Canada and Africa, flipping from two points of view. But that's about it.I thought the structure was laborious and sometimes downright dull (Amina's introduction as the girl in the Sahel felt pointlessly long); there were too many gaps and asides to consistently keep my interest up. The main characters, apart from Nnamdi, were unpleasant and downright callous; I had no sympathy for Laura who was both selfish and cowardly. Despite lengthy descriptions, I didn't feel the characters grow or change, in fact I felt that they were fickle (Nnamdi getting into shady dealings and Winston wanting to turn a new leaf). Not to mention the plot that was full of holes and inconsistencies.
I enjoyed reading it from the African perspective but would not recommend it.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
I was disappointed in this book. It was the winner of the 2012 Giller Prize and that in itself is usually an indication that the book will be great. I have read all the previous Giller Prize wining books, and found some genuine gems in there as well as some above-average stories. I'd say about 5 or
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6 continue to stand out in my memory. This book didn't even really register with me. The writing is very good and some of the characterizations are pretty good (Ironsi-Igobia is a wonderfully evil character and Warren, Lauren's high-flying brother is very realistic). I found all the side stories in the book just thoroughly confused me and they didn't seem to belong in the main story at all. And the ending just left me cold. A lot of the book didn't seem to make much sense to me, and I don't really feel that Laura, the main protagonist ever became anywhere near real. She seemed more like a caricature to me. Mr. Ferguson's writing skills are exemplary and his descriptions of the various locales were realistic and believable. That is why I have given the book a 3. Without those things it would have been a 2 for me. The book is trans-global-from Calgary to various parts of Nigeria and back again. It makes you realize as you read how small our world has become. I found the descriptions of the 419 boys chilling, and what they do and how many lives that they ruin is astounding. I'm sorry Giller judges, I think a mistake has been made with your selection this time. It's not often that I shut the covers on a book and wonder why I bothered to take the time to read it. And it's not often that I have felt betrayed at the end of a book either. I felt a sense of betrayal and waste when I finished this book. I was quite disappointed. I enjoyed "The Imposter Bride" so much more. It would have been a much better choice for this award I think. Show Less
LibraryThing member EvelynBernard
This year's Giller Prize winner deserved the win, in my opinion. Initially it seemed as though the book was four separate stories. Then slowly Ferguson wove the edges together. Four became three, three became two and finally all were blended seamlessly into one compelling tale.
Have you ever
"Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help..."
What would happen if you didn't hit the "delete" button? This type of fraud is known as "419" after the section in the Nigerian Criminal Code that makes fraud illegal.
The book follows the story of Laura - a Canadian editor whose father has died under mysterious circumstances after answering one of these e-mails. There is a young woman wandering through the Sahara desert. There is Winston - a scammer who spends his days "working" the individuals who respond to his e-mails. Nnamdi is a young man from the Delta who comes to Lagos to be a mechanic. Throughout the book their stories start to entwine and we see how the lives of these four separate individuals join together.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
Have you ever
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received this type of e-mail?"Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help..."
What would happen if you didn't hit the "delete" button? This type of fraud is known as "419" after the section in the Nigerian Criminal Code that makes fraud illegal.
The book follows the story of Laura - a Canadian editor whose father has died under mysterious circumstances after answering one of these e-mails. There is a young woman wandering through the Sahara desert. There is Winston - a scammer who spends his days "working" the individuals who respond to his e-mails. Nnamdi is a young man from the Delta who comes to Lagos to be a mechanic. Throughout the book their stories start to entwine and we see how the lives of these four separate individuals join together.
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
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LibraryThing member ellasmeme
419 is a scary-real novel involving an older man who gets involved in a Nigerian internet scam. Green and corruption drive the story; not just the greed of the criminal minds in Nigeria but also the greed of Henry Curtis who somehow believes he can cash in on a windfall of money. Like Eve in the
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garden, he believes the lie, and ultimately Henry and his family pay a very high price. Show Less
LibraryThing member kalky
419 by Will Ferguson is a fairly engaging book. Much of its appeal is found through the glimpse it offers into the lives of those who are involved in the 419 scams. Americans may not be familiar with the term "419," but if you've ever received an e-mail that begins something like "I am the daughter
Overall, this is an interesting book and worth the time it took to read it.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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of a Nigerian diplomat," you know of what the book speaks. Through the first two-thirds of the tale, the stories of the three main characters slowly unfold. I found myself engaged by each--but impatient to learn how they would eventually tie together. Although the people who populate the book lack depth, the story is interesting enough to keep you reading.Overall, this is an interesting book and worth the time it took to read it.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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LibraryThing member ParadisePorch
If you’ve been around the Internet any length of time, no doubt you’ve received one of those Nigerian “I’ve millions in government money that needs to be smuggled out” or “please help this young girl escape her enemies” emails. These scams are called 419s. “The name comes from the
Divided into four sections (Snow, Sand, Fuel, Fire), 419 opens in wintry western Canada with the apparently accidental (or perhaps homicidal) death of Henry Curtis, retired father of two grown children. After police determine that her father deliberately drove his car over a cliff to his death, Laura Curtis resolves to find out what drove her father to suicide, and left her mother with no assets. When she discovers that he was the victim of a 419 crime, she becomes obsessed with finding the author of the emails.
Meanwhile, over in Nigeria, we follow the stories of Winston, the author of those emails; Nnamdi, a boy/man from a Delta village that thrived on fishing until Shell Oil took over their land and killed the fish & more; Amina, a young woman refugee from a desert tribe; and Ironsi-Egobia, a truly monstrous crime boss in Lagos. The five story lines meet and run parallel, intertwine with, and oppose each other until the book reaches the totally unexpected (at least by me) climax that is seared into my brain.
The plot development in 419 seemed a bit uneven to me, and when Amina’s tale began, I was bewildered. But the book was always easy to read and parts of the story will never leave me. It was perhaps coincidental that I was reading at the same time The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard, in which she explains the exploitation of third world people and natural resources by large corporations. Nnamdi’s village seemed to be an almost living example. Maybe 419 wouldn’t have affected me as strongly as it did if I hadn’t been reading Stuff. But I was, and it did.
So – memorable story, a clearer understanding of third world exploitation, new knowledge about 419 schemes and what drives some people to perpetrate them, and a tragic climax; but uneven character and plot development. I rate it a 3.5 stars for the writing and an extra half for the STORY.
Will it win the Giller? I think not. Should you read it? Oh, yes, definitely. 4 stars
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section in the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with obtaining money or goods under false pretenses.” Hence, the title of Canadian writer Will Ferguson’s latest novel, which has been short-listed for Canada’s prestigious Giller prizeDivided into four sections (Snow, Sand, Fuel, Fire), 419 opens in wintry western Canada with the apparently accidental (or perhaps homicidal) death of Henry Curtis, retired father of two grown children. After police determine that her father deliberately drove his car over a cliff to his death, Laura Curtis resolves to find out what drove her father to suicide, and left her mother with no assets. When she discovers that he was the victim of a 419 crime, she becomes obsessed with finding the author of the emails.
Meanwhile, over in Nigeria, we follow the stories of Winston, the author of those emails; Nnamdi, a boy/man from a Delta village that thrived on fishing until Shell Oil took over their land and killed the fish & more; Amina, a young woman refugee from a desert tribe; and Ironsi-Egobia, a truly monstrous crime boss in Lagos. The five story lines meet and run parallel, intertwine with, and oppose each other until the book reaches the totally unexpected (at least by me) climax that is seared into my brain.
The plot development in 419 seemed a bit uneven to me, and when Amina’s tale began, I was bewildered. But the book was always easy to read and parts of the story will never leave me. It was perhaps coincidental that I was reading at the same time The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard, in which she explains the exploitation of third world people and natural resources by large corporations. Nnamdi’s village seemed to be an almost living example. Maybe 419 wouldn’t have affected me as strongly as it did if I hadn’t been reading Stuff. But I was, and it did.
So – memorable story, a clearer understanding of third world exploitation, new knowledge about 419 schemes and what drives some people to perpetrate them, and a tragic climax; but uneven character and plot development. I rate it a 3.5 stars for the writing and an extra half for the STORY.
Will it win the Giller? I think not. Should you read it? Oh, yes, definitely. 4 stars
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LibraryThing member CandyH
419 is the story of corruption in Nigeria. While it was hard to follow the characters at times it is quite a story and certainly causes one to think of all the things that can go wrong in the use of the Internet when unsuspecting people are caught up in a seemingly innocent e-mails. I was pleased
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to be selected by LibraryThing to review this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jphamilton
There is so much not to "spill the beans" about, when it comes to this novel, including the title. It was a fairly engaging novel that had some believable characters dealing with love, death and money mostly in Nigeria. I learned a great deal about the country, a great deal that most any Chamber of
The book begins with an old man's death as he hurtles off a high cliff ... where the road curves, and his car's path doesn't. Yet, there are some good people, trying to do the right thing here and there. This book is sure to stick with me for a long time, and my thoughts will be sad whenever Nigeria is mentioned.
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Commerce or Travel Bureau wouldn't want to focus on. The overpowering and overwhelming poverty and corruption that is portrayed in 419 man this one of the darkest books that I've read in some time. There are several main characters spread across the country, and the globe, that are cleverly brought together by the book's conclusion. There's some troubling violence that brutally forces the plot forward and little to feel good about. But there is some.The book begins with an old man's death as he hurtles off a high cliff ... where the road curves, and his car's path doesn't. Yet, there are some good people, trying to do the right thing here and there. This book is sure to stick with me for a long time, and my thoughts will be sad whenever Nigeria is mentioned.
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LibraryThing member heidicbritton
This was an early reviewers give away. Pretty good - a little slow going in the begining, but picks up. Not so much a "who done it" as a statement on the human race.
LibraryThing member Boobalack
Probably everyone who has ever had an e-mail address has received one of those letters from the daughter/wife/widow of a famous Nigerian general/diplomat/business man, who needs a way to get some money, usually a huge sum, out of the country before the dastardly government steals it away. The only
As evidenced by the title, this book deals with such scams, looking into the lives of both the scam perpetrators and the scam victims. The reader is given some insight as to why some of the perpetrators take part in the scam operations. Many of them are relatively poor, have fallen away from family or are in some kind of trouble.
In reading the book, I began to have a little sympathy for the “low men on the totem pole,” who for the most part were pathetic characters. There is involvement by a crime boss or three, and most of the young men fear their own particular boss. No wonder. The crime boss isn’t hesitant about causing the loss of limb or life.
The plot was rather interesting, and the jumping back and forth between characters was well done. It was easy to keep up with who was doing what. That being said, there was too much left undone. I don’t mind using my imagination but feel that too many of the plot lines were left dangling.
It was an easy read, though, and I did learn a few things. All in all it wasn’t a waste of a few hours but, hindsight being 20/20, I wouldn’t buy it.
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catch is, one must show good faith by first sending some money to Nigeria, at which time a million or more dollars will be deposited to one’s account. I need say no more, as we all know how it works.As evidenced by the title, this book deals with such scams, looking into the lives of both the scam perpetrators and the scam victims. The reader is given some insight as to why some of the perpetrators take part in the scam operations. Many of them are relatively poor, have fallen away from family or are in some kind of trouble.
In reading the book, I began to have a little sympathy for the “low men on the totem pole,” who for the most part were pathetic characters. There is involvement by a crime boss or three, and most of the young men fear their own particular boss. No wonder. The crime boss isn’t hesitant about causing the loss of limb or life.
The plot was rather interesting, and the jumping back and forth between characters was well done. It was easy to keep up with who was doing what. That being said, there was too much left undone. I don’t mind using my imagination but feel that too many of the plot lines were left dangling.
It was an easy read, though, and I did learn a few things. All in all it wasn’t a waste of a few hours but, hindsight being 20/20, I wouldn’t buy it.
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LibraryThing member lewislibrary
Everyone is familiar with the email "Dear Sir, I am the daughter of a Nigerian diplomat, and I need your help". You probably even think "who even falls for that?" But unfortunately that scam as well as countless others similar to it do make their way into people's lives. Laura's dad falls prey to
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one of these "419" scams and loses everything. Laura makes the decision to go to Nigeria and find the crook who scammed her father and make him pay. This is a fast paced novel that you will not want to put down until the very end.... Show Less
LibraryThing member Britt1075
When I received 419 by Will Ferguson I had no idea what the 419 scam was, however after a few short pages into the book I began to understand more about this horrible scam. This was a fast paced read about Laura and her incredible plot to exact revenge for her fathers death from the people and the
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country that she felt played a deep role in his suicide. Laura's father drove his car over a cliff but there was a reason... he lost the family home in a scam that takes millions from millions of people. The 419 scam originated in Nigeria and scams the unknowing into sending thousands of dollars to the country on the premise of helping out family of royalty who have gotten themselves in trouble. Laura plans her revenge and is told she will not make it out a live nor will she get the money back but Laura knows that sometimes it is not about the money and plans her journey anyway. This is a fast paced thriller about her trip to Nigeria and back. Show Less
LibraryThing member zmagic69
An excellent story of the 419 scam, life in Nigeria, and a mysterious girl.
LibraryThing member loralu
This book was good, but a doozy to get through. It jumped around a bit more than I, even as an avid reader, was prepared for. The story is interesting, with an unforseen turn at the end. Worth the read if you can keep up with the plot line jumps.
LibraryThing member Dawn1361
When you exhale a "wow" at the final pages, when the passing of a novel's characters - the characters that you found yourself rooting for to escape their situations illicits disappointment that life can be harsh, when you find the corporate greed at the expense of another's culture to be
I received this book through the Early Readers program.
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embarassing...then you have experienced a truely engaging novel. Who hasn't seen emails from Nigeria begging for assistance! "419" tears away the layers of how these financial scams are built but beyond that, "419" draws the reader into the finely crafted characters. The author's use of multiple story lines that eventually intersect work well to tell the story and becomes equally as layered as the original financial scam. I received this book through the Early Readers program.
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LibraryThing member LynnB
419 tells a good story -- a story that kept me engaged and interested, despite shallow character development and some unnecessary length. I wish the theme of Laura's relationship with her father had been more fully developed...that Amina had a back-story or that we had some glimpse as to what her
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future might hold...that we knew more about the traffic accident detective..... Show Less
LibraryThing member MaryAnn12
Will Ferguson takes readers deep into the labyrinth of lies that is “419,” the world’s most insidious Internet scam. 419 is sharp and unpredictable, full of surprising, wonderful characters. It isn't just clever –it's spectacular.
I have also recommended it to many of my fellow readers
I have also recommended it to many of my fellow readers
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already. I know they will not be disappointed. Read this story.....it is so well crafted. Show Less
LibraryThing member bucketofrhymes
A riveting plot that deals with exploiting and being exploited -- in person, over the internet, by major companies, by people trapped with no other options.
LibraryThing member Twink
When I think of Canadian author Will Ferguson, it is his travel memoirs that immediately spring to mind. That and his rich sense of humour (He has won The Leacock Medal for Humour numerous times.)
419 takes us in a completely different direction....
We've all received them. In fact Barrister
Laura Curtis is heartbroken when her elderly father Henry is killed in an auto accident. But on further investigation, it appears he deliberately left the road. Why would he do such a thing? Further digging by the local Calgary police on his computer uncovers the truth - he had become embroiled in a 419 scam...."I can help...." (419 is the Nigerian criminal code for "obtaining money or goods under false pretenses.)
On the other side of the world in Nigeria, we follow the story of Winston - a 419 scammer. And Amina - a young pregnant woman walking her way across the country, escaping from something. And Nnamdi, a young man from the depths of the Niger Delta.
In the beginning, I wondered how these disparate stories would tie together, but Ferguson deftly weaves an absolutely riveting plot. The criminal underbelly of Nigeria is presented in all of it's seediness. But really, it is the story of Nnamdi that captured me the most. His story is given the most page space and he is the character I felt I 'knew' the most. The effect of the oil industry on a country and its' people is disheartening. The death of her father changes Laura as well. She becomes single minded, after years of staying safely within the confines of the small world she has created. She decides to go to Nigeria and find the man responsible for her father's death. I didn't feel I really got to know Laura and found her sudden about face to be a bit of a stretch.
419 is many things - a mystery, a thriller and a social commentary. I turned the final page with a sense of sadness. Varying degrees, but for most of the characters. Ferguson's tale of the story behind one of these schemes brings a very human face to what most see as a simple nuisance entry handled by a quick tap on the delete button.
An unusual, introspective and recommended read.
419 takes us in a completely different direction....
We've all received them. In fact Barrister
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Salvadore Gallarto sent me one this morning. Can I help him with repatriating 8.5 million euros? It's a simple matter really. I'm sure that every reader has had one of these land in our inbox. And we promptly trash them. But what if you didn't? Laura Curtis is heartbroken when her elderly father Henry is killed in an auto accident. But on further investigation, it appears he deliberately left the road. Why would he do such a thing? Further digging by the local Calgary police on his computer uncovers the truth - he had become embroiled in a 419 scam...."I can help...." (419 is the Nigerian criminal code for "obtaining money or goods under false pretenses.)
On the other side of the world in Nigeria, we follow the story of Winston - a 419 scammer. And Amina - a young pregnant woman walking her way across the country, escaping from something. And Nnamdi, a young man from the depths of the Niger Delta.
In the beginning, I wondered how these disparate stories would tie together, but Ferguson deftly weaves an absolutely riveting plot. The criminal underbelly of Nigeria is presented in all of it's seediness. But really, it is the story of Nnamdi that captured me the most. His story is given the most page space and he is the character I felt I 'knew' the most. The effect of the oil industry on a country and its' people is disheartening. The death of her father changes Laura as well. She becomes single minded, after years of staying safely within the confines of the small world she has created. She decides to go to Nigeria and find the man responsible for her father's death. I didn't feel I really got to know Laura and found her sudden about face to be a bit of a stretch.
419 is many things - a mystery, a thriller and a social commentary. I turned the final page with a sense of sadness. Varying degrees, but for most of the characters. Ferguson's tale of the story behind one of these schemes brings a very human face to what most see as a simple nuisance entry handled by a quick tap on the delete button.
An unusual, introspective and recommended read.
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LibraryThing member DianaCoats
I really enjoyed this departure from Ferguson's "regular" genre. It reminded me a bit of Dan Chaon's book, "Await Your Reply". Basically the idea of computer fraud and how psychological factors of the victims feed into them being swindled. The way it is written it really gives you insight into how
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this is part of culture in certain places and they blame people for being vulnerable. I found it fascinating and well written. Show Less
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2014)
Scotiabank Giller Prize (Longlist — 2012)
Libris Award (Winner — 2013)
CBC Bookie Awards (Nominee — 2013)
Alberta Readers’ Choice Award (Finalist — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-03-27
Physical description
432 p.; 5.3 inches
ISBN
0143176013 / 9780143176015
Local notes
Scotiabank Giller Prize Finalist & Winner - 2012