A reader’s encounter with ‘the rustic philosopher’

Title: An Encounter with the Rustic Philosopher Author: Aliyu Shehu-Othman  Publisher: Spectrum Books Limited Pages: 255 Reviewer: Nathaniel Bivan ‘An Encounter with the Rustic Philosopher’ is a work of non-fiction by Aliyu Shehu-Othman. It is described by the author as a collection of inspirational stories, thoughts and perspectives on diverse subjects, for illuminated living. This […]

Title:An Encounter with the Rustic Philosopher

Author:Aliyu Shehu-Othman 

Publisher: Spectrum Books Limited

Pages: 255

Reviewer: Nathaniel Bivan

‘An Encounter with the Rustic Philosopher’ is a work of non-fiction by Aliyu Shehu-Othman. It is described by the author as a collection of inspirational stories, thoughts and perspectives on diverse subjects, for illuminated living. This is emphasised by the cover photograph of a cobbler working on a pair of slippers. 

If a reader expects to find words of wisdom from Shehu-Othman’s book, or stories of heroes or heroines, it’s not far-fetched. Although names are not mentioned throughout the book and thereby point fingers to such persons, their experiences linger long after. A typical example is an account of a man who lacked the western-type education and yet lived a full life. There’s a lesson here and the reader doesn’t need go too far to find out. All through the work are instances where individuals have made unusual impact. Take for instance an act of kindness with just N200 that changed a life. Well, no spoilers here.

Growing up, some parents and grandparents took their time to tell moral stories to their children and grandchildren, respectively. The effect is hardly lost many years after. This is how it feels with ‘An Encounter with the Rustic Philosopher’. Even adults need an abundance of knowledge, now and then, stories that would remind of how important it is to be kind, gentle, generous, thoughtful and most of all, to love. 

Reading this book will take you outside Nigeria to Lyon, France, where a woman displays an unusual act of kindness to a street beggar. This is why the author felt it important to record these events. Perhaps sometimes we forget how to be good? Look, remember, see how others are doing it, he says.  

If you enjoy fiction (not the speculative type), you will enjoy this work. If it’s nonfiction, you are in the world of true stories. Every chapter ends with nuggets for the reader to meditate on. For example, Shehu-Othman expounds on what true success is and how to make meaning out of it. He also talks about its essence.

Divided into four sections, this book doesn’t leave out eternity in the scheme of things. If you think you have had a load of stuff to digest there’s always more. At the end of the day, you will finally realise you indeed have had an encounter with the rustic philosopher.