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andreiaoh's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This story started off so well for me. The prose was beautiful from the get-go; the varying perspectives, tenses, and the non-linear storyline was super interesting and gripped me. The story, throughout the whole book really, felt rich and alive from the environment to the language to the characters. No characters felt flat or empty; even the very minor and (in my opinion) unnecessary characters came across as fully fleshed out people.
However, from the middle onwards, there was a significant lull. Firstly, I thought there was a lot of unnecessary padding in terms of chapters I found added nothing to the story and characters that didn't need that much page time, for example, I still fail to understand the relevance of Ebeneezer's chapter other than a flawed attempt at foreshadowing. It was even more jarring considering how short this book was and I would have preferred that time spent to be reading about Vivek and the girls' friendships that we really didn't get to see much of.
Second, the major thing of this story that I just couldn't be on board with was the incestous relationship. It was uncomfortable to read and I personally didn't think it added much to the story. I understand Emezi has done an interview that explains their reasoning for this relationship but I don't believe that I have to understand the author's decision for this relationship to be included in this book to enjoy reading it. I understood their decision but I did not enjoy reading it regardless.
Lastly, the ending of this story ruined the book for me. I thought it was a weak ending and to avoid giving spoilers, I wish the mystery unfurled in a more satisfying manner that didn't feel like a rushed attempt at a plot twist.
This started off as a strong read for me but my critiques of the story as a whole did pile up towards the end – a shame, considering I was expecting to love this book. I am still glad I read it, the writing was genuinely stunning, and I did enjoy the read, but I did have personal issues with some of the author's plot decisions.
However, from the middle onwards, there was a significant lull. Firstly, I thought there was a lot of unnecessary padding in terms of chapters I found added nothing to the story and characters that didn't need that much page time, for example, I still fail to understand the relevance of Ebeneezer's chapter other than a flawed attempt at foreshadowing. It was even more jarring considering how short this book was and I would have preferred that time spent to be reading about Vivek and the girls' friendships that we really didn't get to see much of.
Second, the major thing of this story that I just couldn't be on board with was the incestous relationship. It was uncomfortable to read and I personally didn't think it added much to the story. I understand Emezi has done an interview that explains their reasoning for this relationship but I don't believe that I have to understand the author's decision for this relationship to be included in this book to enjoy reading it. I understood their decision but I did not enjoy reading it regardless.
Lastly, the ending of this story ruined the book for me. I thought it was a weak ending and to avoid giving spoilers, I wish the mystery unfurled in a more satisfying manner that didn't feel like a rushed attempt at a plot twist.
This started off as a strong read for me but my critiques of the story as a whole did pile up towards the end – a shame, considering I was expecting to love this book. I am still glad I read it, the writing was genuinely stunning, and I did enjoy the read, but I did have personal issues with some of the author's plot decisions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Infidelity, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Infertility
egmamaril's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Religious bigotry, Transphobia, Violence, Sexual content, and Biphobia
Moderate: Animal death and Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
ohlhauc's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Emezi's writing is so gorgeous, sparse yet evocative. You really feel like you're feeling the emotions of the characters, which in turn made the darker moments very heart-wrenching.
The story had a slow start for me, especially when the chapters focused on the present day of mother of the deceased titular character. Once the plot began to focus more on flashbacks, and we got nearer to finding out what happened to Vivek, the story became more riveting and I couldn't put it down. The relationships between the younger characters felt honest and how the author went about showing how they grappled with their identities and growing up was exquisite.
The story had a slow start for me, especially when the chapters focused on the present day of mother of the deceased titular character. Once the plot began to focus more on flashbacks, and we got nearer to finding out what happened to Vivek, the story became more riveting and I couldn't put it down. The relationships between the younger characters felt honest and how the author went about showing how they grappled with their identities and growing up was exquisite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Incest
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
alayamorning's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
theengineerisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Love and guilt sometimes taste the same, you know."
I wish I can write a decent review that will give justice like how Akwaeki Emezi wrote this book.
The Death of Vivek Oji is Talk Bookish to Me's February admins' pick and I can't thank them enough for choosing this book because this one saved me from a possible slump.
I'm familiar when this one released last year and became a BOTM title but I haven't heard enough buzz about it, unlike Akwaeki's debut, Freshwater, which has been the talk of the town for months. Not until I intentionally browsed the title in Goodreads and saw so many amazing reviews about the book.
As someone who easily gets influenced by others opinion (lol) this made me decide to try and start the audiobook and see why this is so highly-rated.
I guess I was overwhelmed with the ending but this book is definitely a poetry translated into crime fiction. I love how the mystery and suspense keeps on until the very last pages of the book without sacrificing the balance between the social commentary (about Nigeria and LGBTQ+) and other sub-plots (family drama, friendship, mental health, grief.)
Though the main premise of the book revolved on the mystery of Vivek Oji, the only son of Chika and Kavita, the revelation and pieces of the book left me astounded with how forms of love vary from one person to another.
Content warning: Death, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual Abuse, Riot, Blood
Overall, this book sealed the deal and delivered an unforgettable story which made me think about how are we progressing as a society.
RATING: 4.5stars
I wish I can write a decent review that will give justice like how Akwaeki Emezi wrote this book.
The Death of Vivek Oji is Talk Bookish to Me's February admins' pick and I can't thank them enough for choosing this book because this one saved me from a possible slump.
I'm familiar when this one released last year and became a BOTM title but I haven't heard enough buzz about it, unlike Akwaeki's debut, Freshwater, which has been the talk of the town for months. Not until I intentionally browsed the title in Goodreads and saw so many amazing reviews about the book.
As someone who easily gets influenced by others opinion (lol) this made me decide to try and start the audiobook and see why this is so highly-rated.
I guess I was overwhelmed with the ending but this book is definitely a poetry translated into crime fiction. I love how the mystery and suspense keeps on until the very last pages of the book without sacrificing the balance between the social commentary (about Nigeria and LGBTQ+) and other sub-plots (family drama, friendship, mental health, grief.)
Though the main premise of the book revolved on the mystery of Vivek Oji, the only son of Chika and Kavita, the revelation and pieces of the book left me astounded with how forms of love vary from one person to another.
Content warning: Death, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual Abuse, Riot, Blood
Overall, this book sealed the deal and delivered an unforgettable story which made me think about how are we progressing as a society.
RATING: 4.5stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Incest
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual assault, and Violence
skudiklier's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was stunning and heartbreaking and beautiful and painful and surprising. I read it for a book club that isn't meeting for several weeks (I always read book club books too early accidentally haha), but this time I'm glad because I want to think about it a lot before I'll know what to say. I'd definitely recommend it though, it's very good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Blood, Xenophobia, Violence, Vomit, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Murder, Misogyny, Islamophobia, Infidelity, Infertility, Incest, Homophobia, Hate crime, Grief, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Deadnaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Abortion, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Eating disorder, Cursing, and Rape
Minor: Ableism
leekaufman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Violence, Incest, Sexual assault, and Mental illness
kandihead's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Storytelling was a bit disjointed, but overall a unique and refreshing narrative. Tackled many themes all at once and in a way that was slightly disorienting, such as misogyny/sexism, LBGTQ-IA experience, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and incest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Incest
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Domestic abuse
naika's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I have complicated feelings about this book, sadly. Do I think the writing was as harrowing and gripping as the hyper suggests? Yes. It tackled a wide range of themes, from grief and loss, identity, abuse, cultural and social differences, etc. That is what initially drew me to the story. But I would be dishonest if I did not say some of what was written was unsettling to me - specifically the incest. It would be one thing if the book clearly unpacked the problems with this, but to me, the story took a passive, unchallenging approach. I could not come to terms with how it was handled.
I also struggled with some sections of the story where we got points of view from characters who ultimately had little to do with the larger story. It ended up being unnecessary filler and distracted me from the narrative. So I would also say the pacing did not always work for me.
But the story continues to sit with me, despite some of the jarring aspects. This is making it difficult for me to give a star rating, so I won't.
I also struggled with some sections of the story where we got points of view from characters who ultimately had little to do with the larger story. It ended up being unnecessary filler and distracted me from the narrative. So I would also say the pacing did not always work for me.
But the story continues to sit with me, despite some of the jarring aspects. This is making it difficult for me to give a star rating, so I won't.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Transphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Infidelity, Homophobia, and Cursing
Minor: Infertility
maisierosereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with Awkaeke Emezi's writing as soon as I read Freshwater last year, so The Death of Vivek Oji was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. From the first, one-sentence chapter I was hooked on the plot, and ended up reading the whole book in less than 48 hours.
The way this book is structured - with the mystery of how Vivek died, the events leading up to his death, and the way his death affects his loved ones - makes the story captivating even though you know from before you open this book that the titular character will die. The chapters are told from different points of view and from different points in time, with all of these perspectives coming together cohesively to form the whole story.
Emezi's writing style is as gorgeous as always, and their characters are beautiful in their imperfect complexity. The relationships between them are also beautiful, complex, and challenging. In their interview with Rivers Solomon for Greenlight Bookstore, Emezi talked about how they wanted to present these relationships as they were without telling the reader how to feel about them and leave the reactions up to the readers - I could definitely see and feel this when reading The Death of Vivek Oji, particularly in regards to the central relationship (which is consensual but incestuous).
As with their previous books, Emezi's writing is informed and influenced by personal experiences of growing up in Nigeria and their own intersecting identities. The influences from life - Igbo spirituality, the Nigerwives, the politial upheaval, the conflict between the different religious and ethnic groups - give this story a richness and realness that add to the compelling and emotive nature of the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed The Death of Vivek Oji just as much as I was expecting to and highly recommend it.
I fell in love with Awkaeke Emezi's writing as soon as I read Freshwater last year, so The Death of Vivek Oji was one of my most anticipated releases of 2020. From the first, one-sentence chapter I was hooked on the plot, and ended up reading the whole book in less than 48 hours.
The way this book is structured - with the mystery of how Vivek died, the events leading up to his death, and the way his death affects his loved ones - makes the story captivating even though you know from before you open this book that the titular character will die. The chapters are told from different points of view and from different points in time, with all of these perspectives coming together cohesively to form the whole story.
Emezi's writing style is as gorgeous as always, and their characters are beautiful in their imperfect complexity. The relationships between them are also beautiful, complex, and challenging. In their interview with Rivers Solomon for Greenlight Bookstore, Emezi talked about how they wanted to present these relationships as they were without telling the reader how to feel about them and leave the reactions up to the readers - I could definitely see and feel this when reading The Death of Vivek Oji, particularly in regards to the central relationship (which is consensual but incestuous).
As with their previous books, Emezi's writing is informed and influenced by personal experiences of growing up in Nigeria and their own intersecting identities. The influences from life - Igbo spirituality, the Nigerwives, the politial upheaval, the conflict between the different religious and ethnic groups - give this story a richness and realness that add to the compelling and emotive nature of the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed The Death of Vivek Oji just as much as I was expecting to and highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, and Alcoholism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Miscarriage
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