Ben Okri (born 15 March 1959) is a Nigerian-British novelist and poet who won the Booker Prize in 1991 for his novel "The Famished Road," becoming the youngest winner of the prestigious award at age 32. His works blend magical realism with social commentary, exploring themes of African identity, post-colonialism, and human resilience. Okri has published over 20 books and is recognized as one of Africa's most important contemporary writers.


BOOKER PRIZE ACHIEVEMENT:
Okri won the Booker Prize in 1991 for "The Famished Road," a novel that tells the story of Azaro, a spirit child in an African village. The novel blends magical realism with social commentary, creating a unique narrative style that has become characteristic of Okri's work. At 32, he was the youngest winner of the Booker Prize, and the novel has since become a classic of African literature.

LITERARY STYLE:
Okri's writing is characterized by its blend of magical realism, social commentary, and poetic language. His works often explore the intersection of the spiritual and material worlds, drawing on African oral traditions and mythology. This unique style has influenced a generation of African writers and has contributed to the global recognition of African literature.

EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Okri has published over 20 books including novels, poetry collections, and essays. His works include "Songs of Enchantment," "Infinite Riches," "Dangerous Love," "In Arcadia," and "The Freedom Artist." His poetry collections include "An African Elegy" and "Wild." His extensive body of work demonstrates his versatility as a writer and his commitment to exploring diverse themes and forms.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION:
Okri's works have been translated into numerous languages and have received international acclaim. He has won numerous awards including the Commonwealth Writers Prize, the Chianti Ruffino-Antico Fattore International Literary Prize, and the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum. His works are studied in universities worldwide and have influenced literary scholarship.

THEMES AND EXPLORATIONS:
Okri's works explore themes of African identity, post-colonialism, human resilience, and the search for meaning in a complex world. His novels often address social and political issues while maintaining a focus on the human experience. This combination of social commentary and literary artistry has made his works both critically acclaimed and widely read.

POETRY AND PROSE:
In addition to novels, Okri is an accomplished poet. His poetry collections have been praised for their lyrical quality and philosophical depth. He has also written essays on literature, politics, and culture, contributing to intellectual discourse on African literature and identity.

CULTURAL BRIDGE:
As a Nigerian-British writer, Okri serves as a cultural bridge between Africa and the West. His works are accessible to international audiences while maintaining their African identity and perspective. This ability to speak to diverse audiences has contributed to the global recognition of African literature.

LEGACY AND INFLUENCE:
Ben Okri's legacy extends beyond his individual achievements. His Booker Prize win brought international attention to African literature, inspiring a generation of African writers. His unique literary style has influenced contemporary African literature, and his works continue to be studied and appreciated worldwide. He has demonstrated that African writers can achieve the highest levels of literary recognition.

FAST FACTS:
- Born 15 March 1959 in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
- Education: University of Essex, UK (Comparative Literature).
- Key Achievement: Won Booker Prize in 1991 for "The Famished Road" (youngest winner at age 32).
- Publications: Over 20 books including novels, poetry collections, and essays.
- Awards: Booker Prize, Commonwealth Writers Prize, Chianti Ruffino-Antico Fattore International Literary Prize.
- Recognition: Works translated into numerous languages, studied in universities worldwide.
- Notable: Blends magical realism with social commentary in unique literary style.
- Impact: Brought international attention to African literature, influenced generation of writers.