The Freedom Artist by Ben Okri is a dystopian novel that explores themes of oppression, resistance, and the power of storytelling. The book is set in a totalitarian society where people live under strict control, and questioning authority is forbidden. The narrative follows a young man named Karnak, whose lover, Amalantis, is imprisoned for asking a simple but dangerous question: *”Who is the prisoner?”*

As Karnak searches for answers and tries to find Amalantis, he encounters others who resist the system in their ways. The novel blends elements of myth, allegory, and poetic prose to critique modern societal structures, particularly censorship, the suppression of knowledge, and the loss of individual freedom.

Okri uses his signature lyrical style to examine how art, stories, and human imagination can serve as tools of liberation against oppression. The book has been described as a powerful meditation on freedom, truth, and the resilience of the human spirit.