The Broken Cross: A Review
By Don Kester Oshioreame
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Published in 2013 by Mindex Publishing in Benin, The Broken Cross is a 122-page novel by Godson Osarenren, a rising literary voice. The book’s cover; a glossy red background pierced by a silver-plated, fractured cross, immediately invites reflection. The image is not merely aesthetic; it is symbolic. In his prologue, Osarenren describes the broken cross as representing a broken truth; a central motif that underscores the novel’s exploration of betrayal, moral decay, and the pursuit of justice in a fractured society.
Synopsis and Story Arc
At its core, The Broken Cross is a crime fiction novel set across two continents—The Netherlands and Nigeria. The narrative follows the unraveling of a major criminal investigation and the tragic demise of a principled police officer, DSP Godwin Iyare. Tasked with bringing down the notorious Alanta gang; an armed criminal network that terrorized Edo State with brazen robberies and cold-blooded attacks on law enforcement. Iyare becomes both hero and victim. He is eventually murdered, ironically alongside, the gang’s key members.
Osaro, an insurance professional, and Trina, a journalist working for the Lighthouse Crew, meet in the Netherlands. What begins as a chance encounter blossoms into romance and eventually leads to an investigative journey that takes them back to Nigeria. There, they uncover dark secrets surrounding Iyare’s execution by firing squad years earlier. It is a revelation that not only changes the course of their lives but also defines Trina’s most significant journalistic breakthrough.
Genre and Style
The novel clearly fits within the genre of crime fiction, though its themes extend beyond mere criminality. Osarenren weaves a suspenseful tale that employs elements of mystery, thriller, romance, and political drama. According to Cornish (2022), crime fiction is broadly defined as any narrative revolving around criminal acts, including murder and corruption. Precisely what The Broken Cross communicates. The inclusion of rumors supernatural powers, like Iyare's alleged ability to vanish from crime scenes, further intensifies the plot’s mystery and folkloric appeal.
Setting and Atmosphere
One of the novel’s strengths lies in its dual setting: Europe and Nigeria. This geographical dichotomy enriches the narrative, creating a layered sense of tension, culture shock, and urgency. For Trina, Nigeria is a world apart from the Netherlands. Her experience with local customs, particularly the ritual of ‘welcoming’ visitors to Benin City, provides both humor and insight into cultural difference. The setting shapes not only the pace of the story but also the tone and emotional weight, shifting from the quiet professionalism of Dutch life to the chaos and complexity of the Nigerian criminal underworld.
Characterisation
Osarenren excels in character development. His characters are neither caricatures nor abstractions; they are grounded in reality. The dialogue, especially among the robbers, reflects their street-smart identities. They oscillate between English, Pidgin, and coded slangs that mirror their backgrounds. In contrast, characters like Osaro and Trina are portrayed with eloquence, professionalism, and emotional depth.
A standout character sketch appears on page 8, where Trina is compared to global journalist Christiane Amanpour. She is described as resourceful and tech-savvy, equipped with spy gadgets, from spider glasses to pen-recorders. Such attention to detail enhances believability and brings cinematic clarity to the text.
Themes
The Broken Cross is more than a crime novel; it is a social commentary. Its themes resonate with Nigeria’s complex realities:
Corruption: Bribery is casually embedded in institutional processes. Trina’s access to top-secret files at police headquarters is only made possible after money changes hands. This reflects the grim normalization of corruption in state systems.
Love: Osaro and Trina’s relationship provides a softer, humanizing color to the dark themes. Their bond endures emotional distance, professional challenges, and physical danger, symbolizing the resilience of love in uncertain times.
Justice: The novel portrays justice as a fragile ideal. While DSP Iyare represents integrity, his unjust execution reflects a system prone to distortion. This narrative arc reinforces the dangers of politicized law enforcement.
Insecurity: The depiction of criminal impunity and community vulnerability feels tragically familiar. The Alanta gang mirrors real-world militant and criminal groups that have plagued Nigeria for decades.
Cultism and Kidnapping: These twin plagues are portrayed not just as crimes, but as thriving industries, often protected by powerful interests. Osarenren draws attention to the alarming spread of these vices, especially among youth.
Literary Techniques
The novel benefits from an omniscient narrative voice, enhancing the reader’s comprehension and engagement. Osarenren engages a range of literary devices, like foreshadowing, dramatic irony, flashbacks, and poetic justice. Conflict operates on multiple fronts: internal (within characters), interpersonal, and societal. Alanta’s crew, for instance, are motivated by an existential anger toward a society they feel owes them; a belief that fuels their violence.
The brief chapters, reminiscent of serialized television episodes, quicken the pace and sustain suspense. The author transitions seamlessly between prose, poetry, and drama, showcasing his versatility and creative freedom.
Final Thoughts
The Broken Cross is a richly woven narrative that blurs the line between fiction and reality. It invites readers to reflect on the systemic decay afflicting society while reminding us of the enduring power of truth. The title itself encapsulates the novel’s moral philosophy: “Life is nothing without the truth.”
As we continue to navigate a world rife with injustice, moral atrophy, and institutional failure, Osarenren’s work serves as both a warning and a call to action. His message is clear; evil thrives not only when good men do nothing, but when society itself becomes complicit in silence.
With a new edition reportedly in the works, The Broken Cross remains a timely, important contribution to Nigerian literature. It is a story that demands to be read, remembered, and retold.
