| dc.description.abstract | The essence of The Missing Links is rooted in the belief that the family unit is the most ideal human institution in the world, and that it ought to be preserved at all costs. The onus of this preservation rests squarely with each and every individual in the society, and consequently poetic justice demands that those who work towards its destruction be condemned and those who build it (the family unit) be praised, rewarded and encouraged.
Within a period ~ seven years (1969 - 1975) The Missing Links explores a formerly
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stable but now badly shaken family - Obanjo family. Obanjo's wife Nyakure remains faithful but
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that does not help matters; she's caught up in events beyond her control. The proverbial grass that suffer this misfortune is Odak, their son, and Akeyo, their house-help. The single worm that spoils the whole meaet is Linda, the veteran seducer, aided by Maina, her scheming boyfriend. In the background but master-minding the scheme is Njeri, the kiosk owner, and her way ward but unsuspecting son, Antony.
In cases where something is evidently seen to be going wrong, there are good hearted people who struggle to put it right, and in this camp lie Obanjo's best fiiend Nyaga and his beautiful wife Wambui. Their son George watches events amused, for there can be nothing more funny to this mischievous boy than adults behaving silly. Also on Nyakure's side is Obanjo's mother Agul, who tries really hard to bring events under control, but human beings are slippery, and she can do no more than curse.
The Missing Links then tackles such themes as the role of the father in the family, adultery and fidelity, motherhood and child up-bringing, tradition versus modemed and monogamy as posited against polygamy among others. The title of the novel comes from the individual character's quest for happiness, a task they undertake both physically mentally in a
.continuous search for the unattainable paradise. This quest is conducted with the firm belief
" that happiness, despite its elusiveness, can be found here on earth once some "missing link" is discovered in the circle of life. in conclusion the novel deeply explores the causes and
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. consequences of domestic unhappiness, and attempts to suggest mea.f!s and ways of either
completely avoiding or lessening the inherent pain. | en |
