Detailed summary of "The Gods Are Hungry".

"The Gods Are Hungry" is a novel by Pamela Sargent that follows the story of a young woman named Risa, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world where society has collapsed and people struggle to survive. Risa is a member of a small community that worships the gods, who they believe are responsible for the destruction of the world.

As the community faces food shortages and internal conflicts, Risa begins to question her beliefs and the power of the gods. She embarks on a journey to find answers and discovers a group of people who have rejected the gods and are trying to build a new society based on reason and science.

Risa is torn between her loyalty to her community and her desire for a better future. As she navigates the challenges of this new world, she must confront her own beliefs and make difficult choices that will determine the fate of her community and herself.

"The Gods Are Hungry" explores themes of faith, power, and the search for meaning in a world that has been torn apart. It is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that raises questions about the nature of belief and the potential for change in a society that has lost its way.

Summary of "The Gods Are Hungry"

Prologue:

The story begins with a prologue set in 1750, where a young Igbo woman named Nneoma is abducted by British slave traders.

Part 1: The Shrine

- In the present day, a Nigerian-American medical student named Chinwe Opara returns to her hometown of Enugu, Nigeria.
- She hears rumors of a gruesome murder at a local shrine, and investigates with her friend and anthropologist, Eberechi.
- They discover that the victim, a young woman named Nneoma Nwosu, has been sacrificed to Ogun, the Yoruba god of war.

Part 2: The Serpent

- Chinwe and Eberechi delve deeper into the case and learn that Nneoma was part of a secret society known as the "Daughters of Ogun."
- They consult with a traditional healer, who reveals that the sacrifice is part of a ritual to appease Ogun and prevent a greater calamity.
- Chinwe suspects that the sacrifice is being orchestrated by a powerful businessman, Jude Nwosu, who is manipulating the gods for his own gain.

Part 3: The Witch

- Chinwe and Eberechi confront Jude, but he denies any involvement.
- They also encounter a mysterious woman named Oduduwa, who claims to be a priestess of the Orisas, the ancient Yoruba deities.
- Oduduwa warns them that the gods are hungry and that they will not be satisfied until they are fed.

Part 4: The Hunt

- Chinwe and Eberechi race against time to stop Jude and his followers from sacrificing more victims to Ogun.
- They enlist the help of a group of female warriors known as the "Amazons" to hunt down the culprits.
- Along the way, they encounter supernatural creatures and face their own inner demons.

Epilogue:

- The final confrontation takes place at the shrine of Ogun, where Chinwe confronts Jude and exposes his evil deeds.
- Jude is killed, but the ritual is still incomplete.
- Chinwe and Oduduwa team up to harness the power of the Orisas and appease the gods, preventing a catastrophic event.
- The story ends with Chinwe returning to the United States, haunted by her experiences but also empowered by her connection to her ancestral heritage.