Oil on Water

Though a novel, Oil on Water deals with the very real topic of resource extraction. It looks at the oil industry as an entity that exploits the environment and lands of indigenous peoples for its own profit. How does the book illuminate these issues? What does it have to say on the topic? Does it offer any solutions, or does it act more as journalism, simply showing a picture and letting people interpret it?

Who do you think the people are more afraid of: the government or the militants? Is there always a clear distinction between the two, to citizens? What are the similarities and differences between the two warring sides?

Habila uses time jumps throughout the book, taking the reader back and forth in the timeline. What is the effect of these flashbacks? Why do you think Habila chose to tell the story this way?