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adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This is a very consistent short story collection. With books like these, I often find a mix of standout stories and weaker ones, but this one maintained the quality throughout. It’s full of drama and dives into complex topics around relationships and gender dynamics, but it does so with a humorous, light tone that makes it easy to read. Some themes do repeat, but enough stories have clever twists to keep things interesting.
The writing is strong, and I really liked the bold choice of using second-person narration; it actually made me feel more immersed and invested. I also appreciated the cultural insight into Nigeria, especially Lagos. Coming from Colombia, it was fascinating to read something set in such a different context, even though this isn’t a book that’s necessarily trying to “teach” you anything.
If I had one complaint, it would be that I wish it had gone a little deeper with some of its themes. But overall, I had a great time with it.
The writing is strong, and I really liked the bold choice of using second-person narration; it actually made me feel more immersed and invested. I also appreciated the cultural insight into Nigeria, especially Lagos. Coming from Colombia, it was fascinating to read something set in such a different context, even though this isn’t a book that’s necessarily trying to “teach” you anything.
If I had one complaint, it would be that I wish it had gone a little deeper with some of its themes. But overall, I had a great time with it.
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Damilare Kuku's simple yet captivating writing is truly a beauty to behold. Although I found the explicit description of sex scenes largely unnecessary, the book as a whole was a great read.
My favourite story has to be "Independence Day." Yes, Osa’s experience was deeply traumatic, but the way the latter part of her journey unfolded was profoundly beautiful. Toward the end, it felt almost as if God decided to shift the tides of her life — to give her the chance to reclaim her story, to rewrite the ending of what happened on Independence Day. Watching her find the courage to confront her past, give voice to her pain, shame her oppressor, and step into true freedom was incredibly powerful. In the most poetic way, Independence Day became truly hers. Damilare, that was a stunning piece.
My favourite story has to be "Independence Day." Yes, Osa’s experience was deeply traumatic, but the way the latter part of her journey unfolded was profoundly beautiful. Toward the end, it felt almost as if God decided to shift the tides of her life — to give her the chance to reclaim her story, to rewrite the ending of what happened on Independence Day. Watching her find the courage to confront her past, give voice to her pain, shame her oppressor, and step into true freedom was incredibly powerful. In the most poetic way, Independence Day became truly hers. Damilare, that was a stunning piece.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
10/10 highly recommend. The writing & narration is so well done that I could put myself in the characters' shoes. But one thing's for sure ALL MEN ARE MAAAD!!!
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Looking back though, sometimes I wonder if there is a peculiar madness that possesses men once they are in Lagos? Are all men in Lagos mad or is it me?
Chaotically funny while also managing to be emotionally resonant, this was a solid, light read that I breezed through in one sitting. Most of the fun was from the absurdity of it all.
I loved some stories more than others, but the format of each was always interesting, and the stories always captured my attention, even if a few lacked depth. How would the mess descend upon us this time? How would a man bring hellfire down upon our heads now? It was so easy to be caught up in all the drama and chaos of these people's lives, even in the brief glimpses we get. The stories I loved, I really loved, but the ones that fell short were not very enjoyable. And for many of these, I found myself wanting more, for the characters to be expanded on and their individual journeys to continue (not the point of a short story, but still). I got attached quick.
They all had similar themes and suffered through similar circumstances, but none were quite the same. The characters are memorable, and each story is unique, connected simply by the theme of Lagos men being mad in all matters of life and love. Some were harrowing or humorous, frustrating or devastating. It's all in here, the full scope of the human heart.
Splashed with bright bits of humor and an often self-deprecating wit, this was a fun and often harrowing depiction of the tumultuous lives of Nigerian women and men looking for love, finding it, and losing it again.
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't usually rate anything this high (I don't usually rate books in general), but this collection of short stories has been personally enriching beyond most books I've read, and so it deserves it.
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Grief
This book is really heavy and nearly every short story has sexual content, but it all serves enough of a purpose as to not feel offputting. The short story called "Independence Day" has a focus on an instance of sexual assault (and my edition of the book came with a disclaimer before it).