The Scent of Burnt Flowers: A Novel, Blitz Bazawule, author; Dion Graham, narrator
This very talented author has written a short novel about many things that cause unnecessary tragedies, still today. It takes place in the mid 1960’s, and Illustrates how injustice, racism, secrecy, jealousy, selfishness, greed, misunderstandings, misinterpretations, hasty decisions, law enforcement or lack thereof, crime, poor planning, vengeance, violence, superstition and rushing to judgment, among many other issues, cause chaos. As he weaves the story, he uses the history of America and West Africa, the politics of the times, and the nature of the beast to create the whole cloth.
Melvin and Bernadette were engaged to be married, and now she is an accessory to his crime. He committed murder in the parking lot of Otto’s Diner, on December 26th, 1965, changing their plans for the future. This is a time in America’s history, that ushered in a period of racial unrest and political assassinations. Melvin convinces Bernadette that she must run away with him. He is certain that they will not find the justice and freedom they deserve, that they will not be believed, with the justice system in the United States. So, instead of planning their wedding, they flee to Ghana, where his former best friend is President Nkrumah. Mel saved his life during World War II. He believes that Kwame Nkrumah will protect them.
FBI Agent Hughes, whose real last name is Paulowski, is hot on their trail and is determined to follow them out of the country, without permission to travel, he disobeys his orders and flies to Ghana. He is obsessed with capturing them. Many of his contacts are unscrupulous. He is unaware of a plot to overthrow the government and gets caught in the web of deception. Each of the characters meet a variety of people, all of whom seem to have an ulterior motive. Everyone has secrets, everyone tells lies, and everyone seems willing to betray someone for a price.
The story seems to roll out in fits and bursts, going back and forth in time, with a rhythm that possibly is not unlike the rap the author is famous for. At times, I was at a loss, not knowing the history of Ghana, but after doing some research, I discovered that the unrest and rebellion in the country were based on facts and the very real-life leader, Kwame Nkrumah, “The President for Life” of Ghana, who was eventually overthrown and lived in exile in Guinea.
Magical realism, anthropomorphism, mythology and magic are infused throughout the story. A blind woman is a photographer. Flowers and mist, smoke and fire, bloom from the clairvoyance of a guitar as the famous musician, Kwesi Kwayson plays and his music inspires revolution. A flock of birds rescues Kwame Nkrumah, when there is an attempt on his life. Vengeance and foolhardiness drives many of the characters. Humans have magical powers and can turn into animals and aliens, as well. The implication that rogue American agents plot to overthrow governments does not paint a pretty picture.
The novel is unusual in its presentation with fact and fiction mingling together, but the problems it raises and uncovers are very real and worthy of discussion and investigation.