A complex, dangerous city built on swamps, where poverty and corruption run rampant, where the military tightly controls both the surface and the underworld, where human life is cheaper than water: Lagos. Named after Elvis Presley, Elvis hopes to one day become famous like him, but as bright as his dreams are, the real world he lives in is just as dark: a broken family, an alcoholic father, unemployment and short-term, illegal gains that seem to be the only alternative to lack of money... Wandering through the maze of Lagos with the diary of his mother, who died years ago, and memories of the past in his mind, Elvis struggles with many dilemmas, looking for a way out as he moves from childhood to adulthood. All these dilemmas, which pit family against individual, tradition against innovation, honesty against crime, rebellion against obedience, reflect the dilemma not only of Elvis but also of the entire Nigerian society. As bleak as the picture it paints is, GraceLand is a gripping novel with colorful characters, interesting stories, a subtle sense of humor, Nigerian traditions and music.