Ben Okri on Life, Death, and the Cosmic Force of Love
Booker Prize-winning novelist Ben Okri, 67, opens up about his views on mortality, love, and the worst job he ever had—looking after a flowerbed on his windowsill. In a wide-ranging interview, the author of The Famished Road shares his thoughts on the afterlife, the art of lying, and the importance of evolving.
On Death and the Afterlife
When asked what happens when we die, Okri responded: 'We don't die. We change realms. Life is eternal. Living is not. Live while you are alive.' This perspective reflects his spiritual and philosophical outlook, which permeates much of his writing.
The Worst Job and Unappealing Habits
Okri revealed that his worst job was 'looking after the flowerbed on my windowsill.' He also admitted to an unappealing habit: 'Gargling loudly with salt water.'
Greatest Love and Best Kiss
Describing the greatest love of his life as 'being here,' Okri recalled the best kiss he ever had: 'Ah, a circular breathing kiss, in another incarnation, intuited, never to be repeated.' He emphasized that he has never said 'I love you' without meaning it, calling love 'a cosmic force.'
On Writing and Rejection
Okri recounted the worst thing anyone ever said to him: 'You don’t stand a chance of succeeding as a writer in this country. The demographics are against you.' He added, 'They were wrong. The only demographic that counts is the human heart.' When asked about the last lie he told, he said, 'Lying magically is my art, the art of storytelling.'
Superpower and Most Treasured Possession
His desired superpower is enlightenment, and his most treasured possession is a photograph of his parents. He described himself in three words: 'Alchemy. Love. Resilience.'
What Makes Him Unhappy
Okri cited 'the killing of children, environmental indifference, injustice' as sources of unhappiness. He would bring back 'universal respect for the Earth' if he could revive something extinct.
On Aging and His Legacy
What scares him about getting older is 'not being there for my daughter.' He wants to leave his children 'the wisdom to become who they are in the truth of their spirit.'
Life Lessons and Regrets
The most important lesson life has taught him is 'evolve or perish.' When asked if he could be someone else, he said he would 'have another crack at being me. I now know how I can be me better and faster, with grander results.'
Closest Brush with the Law
His closest brush with the law occurred in Lagos as a young man when a soldier brandished a gun at him. Okri, knighted in 2023 for services to literature, lives in London with his partner and their child. His latest novel, Waking the Warriors, is published on 16 July.
