Nigeria

The following stories are primarily set in Nigeria: "The Future Looks Good," "War Stories," "Wild," "Light," "Buchi's Girls," and "Redemption." While Nigeria was previously the setting of much political violence -- which leaves the parents in "The Future Looks Good" and "War Stories" emotionally unavailable for their kids -- the stories do not establish tremendous differences between the feeling or tone between the Nigerian settings or the American settings. Many of the Nigerians who live in Nigeria tend to be wealthy, such as the extended family in "Wild" or the family of the narrator of "Redemption." The most notable difference between Nigerian and American culture is that wealthy Nigerian households traditionally rely on young, female servants, a practice that drives a meaningful gap between the rich and poor, such as in "Buchi's Girls."

America

The following stories are primarily set in America: "Second Chances," "Windfalls," and "Glory." While...