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Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious Suspense in 
What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

Nwangwu C. Ephraim 
Department of Languages General Studies Unit 

Federal Polytechnic Oko
08037587417

ephurios@gmail.com

Abstract 
This research delves into the intricate layers of mystery and 
suspense present in Nnedi Okorafor's novel What Sunny Saw in 
the Flames.  Through a comprehensive analysis, the research aims 
to unravel the complexities that contribute to the enigmatic nature 
of the narrative. The theoretical framework adopted is the theory 
of narratology and postulations of Tzvetan Todorov to explain the 
narrative structure is - equilibrium, disruption and resolution. By 
examining the author's use of mystery and suspense, this paper 
seeks to shed light on the mysterious suspense that keeps readers 
engaged from beginning to end.  The research also highlights the 
importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of 
the novel in order to fully appreciate the mysterious and 
suspenseful elements. It is important to consider the African 
mythology and folklore that are woven into the story, as well as the 
historical and social elements that contribute to the atmosphere of 
uncertainty.
Keywords: Mystery, Suspense, Unravel, Complexities 

Mysterious suspense. 

Introduction
 There are speculations about the existence of ghosts, 
mystic beings and powerful masquerades which is assumed to the 
embodiment of half spirit, half human. So many complexities are 
associated with mystery fused with suspense specially because it 

Nwangwu C. Ephraim :  Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious 
Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

34

relates to sacred topics and even though not sacred is obscure. The 
presence of mystery genre in Nigerian literature dates back to 
when written literature started making waves in the country. From 
the mid-twentieth century, peculiarly in the genre of fiction, 
supernatural and unusual events have been part of imaginative 
creations in Nigerian literature. 

 This is an interesting connection to make between folklore 
and Gothic literature. Folklore being a significant part of Nigerian 
literature can add an element of realism and tradition to a story, 
making it more engaging and atmospheric. In the case of What 
Sunny Saw in the Flames, the presence of juju practices and 
references to the past help to create a Gothic atmosphere that is 
both familiar and unsettling; it explored dark and mysterious 
themes. The combination of folklore and Gothic elements can 
make for a compelling, mysterious and unique reading 
experience.

 In different cultures around the world, there are many 
different versions of the "monster" trope. In Africa, for example, 
there are tales of ogres, giants, devils, and nameless creatures. 
Nigerian oral narratives describe these creatures as being 
voracious, invincible, and capable of returning from the dead to 
cause even more destruction just as Ekwensu came back to cause 
more destruction in What  Sunny Saw in the Flames. The concept 
of the monster in Africa is thus complex and multi-faceted, with 
each culture having its own unique take on the idea. This can be a 
useful tool for examining human fears and anxieties, as well as our 
desire for power and control.

 Nigerian oral narratives are rich with fantastical elements, 
such as magical creatures, mischievous spirits, and other 
supernatural beings that live alongside humans. This folklore is 
often full of mysteries, superstitions, and monsters, which make it 
well-suited for the world of Gothic fiction. The fantastic worlds 
created by these narratives are ripe for exploration in the context 

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35

mailto:ephurios@gmail.com


of the Gothic, as they provide an intriguing backdrop for tales of 
terror and the supernatural. Okorafor's novels like Zahra the 
Windseeker (2005), Who Fears Death (2010) and What  Sunny 
Saw in the Flames (2015) depict a world where masquerades, 
flying people, invisible people, flying reptiles, magic, shape-
shifting creatures, sorcery and battles between humans and spirits 
all coexist alongside traditional Nigerian societies and modern 
technologies. The fusion of old myths and legends with futuristic 
elements creates a unique and memorable setting.  

 Nnedi Okorafor's article “Organic Fantasy” (2009) 
outlines her guiding vision for her literary works. She 
acknowledges that she infuses her life experiences, cultural 
heritage and personal perspectives into her narratives. She credits 
her Nigerian and American background as well as her magical 
world view, as key influences on her writing.  Nnedi Okorafor's 
works have shown unwavering trend towards Gothic genre 
through her adoption of salient Gothic motifs and conventions.

 This concept of re-forming the world through storytelling 
is seen in Okri's own work, as well as in the work of other African 
writers such as Nnedi Okorafor. By re-imagining the world 
through their words, these authors challenge the status quo and 
create new possibilities. Okri believes that stories have the power 
to create new realities and inspire change meaning that a story 
works from the inside out, through the imagination, intuition, and 
the emotions to re-form a world in the process of telling. This is 
reflected in his statement to Charles Henry Rowell, in which he 
said:

Story is more than just a way to pass the time. It is a fundamental 
part of the universe and of our existence. When lightning strikes a 
mountain, when the wind blows, when the stars are born and die - 
these are all stories. We exist within the story of the universe. 
When we tell stories, we are tapping into something greater than 
ourselves. We are shaping the world around us and creating a new 

Nwangwu C. Ephraim :  Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious 
Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

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reality. We are creating a moral framework, setting boundaries and 
establishing an ideal world. Every story is an act of creation, an act 
of shaping the universe itself.  (219) 

 From the above statement it is worthy to note that 
Okorafor and Okri both believe that stories can do far more than 
simply entertain; they can change the world by shaping the way 
we see and experience it. This is similar to what Adichie calls the 
“danger of a single story,” and aware of what Okri refers to as “the 
framing of a world through narratives” (219). It refers to the idea 
that when we only hear one perspective or narrative, we miss out 
on the possibility of more nuanced or diverse experiences. In 
Okorafor's stories, she uses the limitless potential of storytelling to 
explore different perspectives and create new worlds. 

 While there is optimism for cultural change, the past 
remains an important tool for interpreting the present in Nigerian 
literature. Many Nigerian writers believe that it is necessary to 
look to the past in order to understand the present and prepare for 
the future. This re-validation of the past demonstrates the 
importance of tradition and heritage in contemporary Nigerian 
culture. Okorafor brings about the ambivalence of juju practices  
as opposed the way people describe everything juju related as evil. 

 There has been a lack of serious academic study of 
mystery fiction in Africa, particularly in Nigeria to the best 
knowledge of the researcher. Additionally, the genre of mystic 
literature has yet to be fully explored or appreciated in Nigeria. 
Villains in mystery fiction are often characterised as having 
antisocial, self-centered, and sexually perverted tendencies. These 
traits are not typically associated with heroes in literature, and it's 
interesting to see how these qualities can be used to create 
complex and engaging characters.

 The novel unravels the mystery behind some 
transcendental practices; it goes beyond unraveling the mysteries 

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to simplify the actions of the Leopard people. Nnedi Okorafor 
through her story telling explained that although the culture of the 
Leopard people seemed complicated, it is quite easy if one can 
follow the rules. Everything that occurred in the spiritual realm of 
the Leopard folks had a cause and an effect attached which made 
them apply caution. It is quite risky that one might die from the 
failed attempt of a juju trial manifestation. 

Mystery and Suspense

Mystery refers to something that is unknown or not fully 
understood (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary). It can also 
refer to a genre of fiction that involves a problem that needs to be 
tackled. Mystery can be anything is not easy to comprehend and 
difficult to explained. Mystery and suspense go in pari passu; 
sometimes it becomes difficult to distinguish them. Suspense is 
vital to mystery because the author in trying to make things appear 
mysterious will hold back some information thereby making the 
readers follow up the story in a bid to unravel the mystery. One 
cannot successful write a mystery genre without suspenseful 
moments.

 Mehriniso Ochilova views suspense as “an intense feeling 
which an audience goes through while waiting for the outcome of 
certain events” (168).He  is of the opinion that without suspense, 
readers would quickly lose interest in a book because there is 
nothing to make them hold their breath in want for more 
information. Ochilova classifies suspense depending on the 
strength of it; hidden suspense is the suspense that is not easily 
noticed or felt. The micro suspense is the one that starts from few 
pages of the novels and ends shortly after. The macro suspense 
which is assumed to be the strongest suspense starts from the title 
of the novel till the last paragraph of the novel. 

 Suspense is a feeling of anxious uncertainty about what 
will happen next. In fiction, suspense is usually created by raising 
questions or presenting obstacles that need to be overcome. 

Nwangwu C. Ephraim :  Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious 
Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

38

Suspense is often found in stories that involve a race against time, 
magical beings and creatures, a hidden danger or a threat that is not 
yet known. It creates a feeling of excitement and interest and can 
keep the readers captivated. Nnedi Okoroafor employs the macro 
suspense in writing of her novel - What  Sunny Saw in the Flames, 
readers were lost and needed to find out what Sunny actually saw 
in the flames. When they finally obtained the information, the kept 
reading to see if her visions finally turned into reality.						
The phrase “mysterious suspense” is a used to describe the 
creation of  an atmosphere of tension, anticipation and uncertainty 
in a story usually fiction by introducing elements of mystery and 
intrigue. It is often used to describe stories or movies that keep the 
audience guessing, with twists and turns that keep them anxious.  
There is a prevalence of enigmatic situations, characters or events 
that keep them guessing and eager to unravel the truth. 

Complexities in Literature

 Complexities in literature refers to the nuances, intricacies 
and layers of meanings in a text that give a text depth and richness. 
Complexities serve several purposes in a story. First, it makes the 
characters more realistic and relatable. Complex characters are 
often more interesting and engaging than flat characters. Second, 
complexity creates tension and conflict, which drives the plot 
forward. Third, complexities in a character's thoughts, actions and 
speech often reflect the story's central themes and messages. 
Finally, the complexity of character helps the audience understand 
them  more deeply. When the audience understands the 
motivations behind a character's actions, it helps the audience feel 
empathy for the character and understand how the character 
impacts the story as a whole. 

 Those things readers consider as complexities are purely 
techniques employed by the writer to make the story fascinating so 
as to hold the attention of the readers. When dealing with suspense 
laced with mystery, people get to read or witness weird characters 
and situations beyond realities of human existence. Now, to 

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unravel those extraordinary situations, one has to think beyond 
human comprehension to understand the occurrence of 
mysterious suspense. Mysterious suspense often occur in fiction 
because the twists sometimes go beyond what was expected.  

Theoretical Framework
 The theory adopted in this study is the The narrative theory 
of equilibrium derives from “ ” (Felluga). Tzvetan narratology
Todorov analysed the structural properties of narratives and 
developed a general theory that could be applied to all stories. He 
called this new approach narratology or science of the narrative. 
Todorov was a literary critic and theorist who developed his 
theory of narrative structure in the 1970s. His work was influenced 
by structuralist and semiotic theories which focus on the 
underlying patterns and structure of texts. 

 This theory suggests that all narratives follow a three-part 
structure: equilibrium, disruption and resolution. In a mystery 
novel, the equilibrium will be calm, the normal state of affairs at 
the beginning of the story. The disruption would be the event or 
events that upset the balance and create suspense. The resolution 
would be the final outcome of the story, where the mystery is 
solved and the equilibrium is restored. He avers that this pattern is 
found in all stories, from mythological tales to modern novels.

Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious Suspense 
 In What Sunny Saw in the Flames (published under the title 
Akata Witch outside of Nigeria and the United Kingdom), 
Okorafor writes the coming-of-age story of Sunny Nwazue, a 
thirteen-year old albino born in New York who relocated with her 
family to live in Aba, Nigeria. Her American background, coupled 
with the pigmentation of her skin, makes her an easy target for 
ridicule by her classmates.	 In  Nnedi  Okorafor ' s  novel , 
mysterious suspense plays a significant role in shaping the story 
and captivating readers to keep reading till the end. The narrative 
follows the journey of Sunny Nwazue, a young girl with magical 

Nwangwu C. Ephraim :  Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious 
Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

40

abilities, as she navigates a world filled with supernatural forces, 
ancient traditions, and hidden dangers. Through the use of 
mysterious suspense, Okorafor creates a sense of unease and 
curiosity that propels the plot forward and keeps readers on the 
edge of their seats.

 One of the key aspects of mysterious suspense in What 
Sunny Saw in the Flames is the enigmatic nature of Sunny's 
powers and the world she inhabits. From the opening chapters, 
readers are introduced to Sunny's unique ability to see into the 
future through the flames. This mysterious gift sets the stage for a 
series of cryptic visions and prophetic dreams that drive the 
narrative forward and raise questions about Sunny's destiny and 
the events that lie ahead.
Prior to each chapter, there are short descriptions that give insight 
into what will happen next. These descriptions are like 
encyclopedic entries. The prologue at the  of chapter four reads, 
“Now that you are a Leopard Person, know that your world has 
just become more real. Creatures are real. Ghosts, witches, 
demons, shape-shifters, and masquerades, all real. Masquerades 
are always dangerous. They can kill, steal your soul, take your 
mind, take your past, rewrite your future, bring the end of the 
world, even. As a free agent you will have nothing to do with the 
real thing, otherwise you will face certain death” (39). 

 One who knows only the denotative meaning of free agent 
will be confused on why they will face certain deaths; this is 
because free agent simply means one who can act the way he/she 
wants as he/she is not responsible to anyone or for anyone. The 
contextual meaning is a Leopard person who is not privileged to 
be born of  parents with Leopard's bloodline; they are at 
disadvantage because they probably will not get to know about 
their identity on time which makes it difficult for them to find a 
mentor. In a conversation with Chichi, the mystery behind the 
name “Lambs” and “Leopard people” was cleared. Chichi said to 
Sunny “Lambs are people who have no juju. You were never a 

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narratology


Lamb, but you have to be initiated to become  a functioning 
Leopard person” (40). Leopard people are people who possess 
supernatural gifts and powers which is meant to be used for 
positive things although some do misuse it. 

 The readers see signs of Sunny's magical nature before her 
initiation, For example, when she sees strange images in the fire. 
When she finds solace  staring in the flickering candle flame, she 
sees the vision. This mysterious and curious vision is a doorway to 
a magical universe and it foreshadows her journey throughout the 
novel. Her character is a combination of things that seem to 
oppose each other: she is both visible and invisible, possible and 
impossible, and has a mixture of traditional Nigerian and modern 
Western values. This mirrors the state of Nigeria, which is both 
traditional and modern.

 While Sunny, Orlu, Chichi, Sasha with Anatov were on 
their way to Leopard Knocks, Anatov disappeared like a mist 
when it was time to cross the bridge which was quite unusual. 
Chichi seeing how unsettled Sunny was explained certain things 
about the Leopard people to her. She talked about how she can 
make mosquitoes stay away, warm her bathing water, call music 
and send masquerade but what shocked Sunny most was the tale 
about how Chichi wore her spirit face for seven days when she was 
born. Sunny assumed Chichi was on drugs and termed her 
statements as “what a crazy old man would say” (41). It was quite 
difficult for her to believe and understand such things due to 
complexities associated mystic beings.  

 In this magical universe, the Leopard people perform 
incredible rituals. Sunny  explores the leopard people's customs 
through her friendship with her friends Orlu and Chichi. Although 
they are different, they still remember and honour their ancestors. 
So, even in modern Nigerian society, there is still a connection 
with the past. As Sunny learns more  about her identity as a 
Leopard person after her initiation, she becomes more aware of the 
spiritual world around her. She sees the connection between this 

Nwangwu C. Ephraim :  Unraveling the Complexities of Mysterious 
Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

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spiritual world and her everyday life in  the society. She also 
discovers that her skin colour is not just accepted but also 
celebrated amongst the Leopard people. 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

 Leopard Knocks is a magical place that can only be 
reached via a bridge that connects to the spirit world to the 
physical world. This bridge is  described as “a 'link' between the 
two worlds. It is the link that allows the spirits to come to leopard 
knocks. It is a place where anything can happen.  Leopard Knocks 
is an island created by the ancestor, so you have to call on your 
spirit face to reach it. “Every Leopard person has two faces - a 
human face and a spirit face” (41). When the characters call on 
their spirit faces, they are able to shape-shift and access the 
magical properties of Leopard Knocks. Many of the magical 
events in the novel took place within the contexts of the  Leopard 
society. 

 One cannot talk about the Leopard people without talking 
about juju. They have a substance called “Healing Hands Powder” 
(123) which Anatov poured into the hands of Sunny and her 
friends to help them heal after the injuries they sustained. The 
powder can heal but can also cause cancer if one holds unto it for 
long. There was this ominous suspense that will hold readers who 
will definitely keep reading to know whether Sunny and others 
will succeed at the attempt to use the powder or if their cases will 
worsen. 

 When the researcher started reading the novel, something 
was quite amiss with Chichi's mother who lived in an old hut 
amidst better houses. She was unmarried too regardless of being 
very beautiful and intelligent. Okorafor unraveled the reason 
through telling that the mother is a Nimm priestess. “Nimm 
priestess are women who are chosen when they are born and sold 
to a female spirit who lives in the wilderness” (134). One 
unfathomable things is that they are never allowed to marry and 
they reject wealth too.

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Anatov and Sugar Cream, two mysterious scholars who are versed 
in the knowledge of the Leopard People, perform unbelievable 
rituals. Anatov is the defender of frogs and all things natural

 The characters use strange money called “Chittim”, which 
they earn by learning the ways of the Leopard People. The 
Leopard People are shown to be able to use juju, or magic, to do 
supernatural things as seen in the character, Sasha, who sends a 
masquerade after three boys for insulting his parents, and the 
horrible experience traumatised the boys afterwards. Now, it is 
mysterious that a human can comfortably call masquerade to 
torture people. What was even more shocking is that Orlu can 
undo things. 
	 	

 An event occurred in school one day which led to a fight 
between Sunny and Jibaku, Sunny brought forth her spirit face 
which scared life out of her opponent who ran away crying. 
Immediately, a car pulled up to pick Sunny for her punishment. 
Readers were quite surprised at the level of power the Leopard 
people wielded. As she entered the car to be driven to the place of 
punishment, readers were gripped with fear as Orlu mentioned 
that her action was very stupid coupled with the driver that 
heightened the suspense by replying “I can't discuss that with you” 
(113). 

 During the wrestling match at Abuja, the commentator 
brought out her juju knife, it made Sunny scream with horror when 
she dragged it across her throat. “Then she remembered where she 
was. There was no blood , not even a cut” (146)”. On that same 
day, a Leopard person who lost the wrestling died. “He gazed up at 
the sky as brown feathered wings unfurled from his back. He 
crouched down and then leaped, shooting into the sky like a 
rocket” (150). They all claimed that he was still victorious as he 
will now be privileged to become a guardian angel. 
 One might be wondering the mystery behind the two 
varying situations. If one Leopard person can slice her throat and 
not die, why then will another be capable of dying? To unravel 

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Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

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such complex knits, readers and audience must understand that 
Leopard people are mysterious and are bound to have obscure 
circumstances around them coupled with the fact that their  
abilities differ based on spiritual level, years of practice and 
certain innate gifts. 

 In a verbal power tussle between the audacious Chichi and 
the arrogant Yao, Yao changed her outfit to gold material which 
wowed everyone. Chichi in turn created a barrier and locked him 
up with juju. They both refused to surrender till Chichi dared to 
call masquerade which frightened the other children; they know 
the consequences of doing that. “Maquerades are hard to control 
even when they are successfully called. They can force their 
freedom” Orlu said, when he advised her not to as she could end if 
she fails to call it successfully and it can kill humans if it gets 
called successfully. Mysterious suspense was prevalent during the 
arrival of the masquerade which scared everyone, it forced them to 
run helplessly screaming for their lives. Orlu handled the situation 
well as he had the ability to control masquerade whereas Chichi 
cannot. 

 The vision Sunny saw in the flames which held the readers 
spellbound to the novel was about the “end of the world in its 
flames, raging fires, boiling oceans, toppled fallen skyscrappers, 
ruptured land, dead and dying people” (2). She and her friends 
were tasked with ensuring that her vision which was on its way 
coming does not become a reality.  They kept wondering why the 
seniors of the Leopard society did not give the task to people more 
experienced. It was later clarified the four of them representing 
“Oha Covens” were chosen for the task.  They are to rescue two 
toddlers and stop Black hat (a powerful evil master from the 
Leopard society) from bringing disaster into the world.

 The weakest - Sunny took the bravest decision to stand to 
challenge Ekwensu, she was ready to pay for victory with her life 
because she knew that death was inevitable. That was the climax 
of the novel, she spoke a language she did not even know existed; 

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she commanded the spirit to return and it did. She met Orlu who 
restored life to the toddlers that were previously dead. At this 
point, every mystery and suspense leveled down, readers can now 
be able to say that they successfully unraveled the ending which 
was like a gift to those who patiently followed up till the very end. 
After her fight with Black hat Otokoto, Sunny is surprised to find 
that school is still the same. She is still interested in normal 
subjects like algebra, literature, and biology. This is an important 
part of the novel because it shows how Sunny is able to balance her 
traditional African identity with her modern, Western education. 
She is still able to learn and use her special powers to help her 
friends. This is how Okorafor's mythological story interacts with 
modern life.

 By comparing the idea of traditional initiation to the 
modern technology of computers, Okorafor shows how traditional 
African beliefs can co-exist with modern Western values. Anatov, 
who is an expert in traditional beliefs, is described as having both a 
traditional Igbo background and a modern American accent. This 
shows that individuals and communities can have both traditional 
and modern values. Okorafor shows that it is possible to blend the 
two without losing either side.

 One unique aspect of Okorafor's villains and heroines is 
their ability to use magical or supernatural powers in their battles. 
Black Hat Otokoto is skilled at using juju magic. By incorporating 
Nigerian spirituality and mysticism into her fiction, Okorafor aims 
to create “a deeply rooted Nigerian cultural perspective” 
(Wabuke, 27). The use of magic in her characters can be seen as a 
form of empowerment, giving them access to greater strength and 
abilities. This serves to add a powerful and memorable element to 
her work, as well as reinforcing her themes of identity and cultural 
belonging.

Conclusion

 Okorafor uses mystery and suspense to create a complex 
and fascinating world. The novel is filled with references to 

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Suspense in What Sunny Saw in the Flames by Nnedi Okorafor

46

Nigerian culture and mythology, as well as supernatural elements. 
These create a sense of wonder and curiosity, inviting readers to 
explore the hidden meanings of the story. The sense of mystery 
and suspense builds throughout the novel, creating a feeling of 
anticipation and suspense. This keeps readers engaged and 
interested in the story, wanting to discover what will happen next. 
The magical world that Okorafor creates exists alongside the 
everyday realities of school and family life in Nigeria. This 
suggests that there are other, unseen realities that exist beneath the 
surface of daily life. The author explores this idea further in her 
novel Lagoon, which brings together science fiction and African 
mythology. This fusion of different traditions shows how Nigerian 
literature can borrow from Western genres while remaining true to 
its own heritage. Rather than distorting the existing styles of 
Nigerian literature, this integration creates new possibilities for 
social critique and commentary.

 Juju practices is often associated with evil but Okorafor 
here finds a way to tell the world that some people with juju 
powers are not evil as they are being stereotyped but it does not 
take away the fact that some misuse theirs. Some practice dark and 
forbidden juju which is detrimental. Sunny with her juju powers 
and Leopard friends were able to restore stability and balance to 
the world. By introducing endless possibilities into her style of 
storytelling, Okorafor creates a new genre: Afro-science fiction. 
This genre is uniquely suited to Nigeria, as it embraces the future 
while maintaining a strong connection to the country's past. The 
Gothic element of nostalgia is particularly relevant to African 
literature, as oral culture and mythology are still important parts of 
the cultural imagination. References to traditional beliefs and 
practices create a sense of nostalgia for the past, when these 
elements were more present in everyday life. The key elements of 
mysterious suspense are usually plot twists, a lack of clear 
information and an underlying feeling of unease or tension. 

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http://www.lareviewofbooks.org/article/afrofuturism-africanfuturism-and
https://www.theroot.com/nnedi-okorafor-is-putting-africans-at-the-center-of-sci-1790862186.
https://www.theroot.com/nnedi-okorafor-is-putting-africans-at-the-center-of-sci-1790862186.

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