Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

36 reviews

nikitagupta98's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

The Death of Vivek Oji by Awaeke Emezi explores themes of identity, family dynamics, grief, and societal expectations against the backdrop of contemporary Nigeria. The novel focuses on the titular character, Vivek Oji tracing his life and those close to him as they grieve over his sudden death. 

At the heart of the story, the main character grapples with their identity, navigating the complexities of gender and sexual orientation in a society with rigid expectations, while suffering bouts of disassociation. Emezi cleverly weaves these moments of disassociation with Vivek’s exploration of his identity in short chapters from his perspective. “I didn’t have the mouth to put it into words, to say what was wrong, to change the things I felt I needed to change […] If nobody sees you, are you still there?” 

The novel also explores grief and the toll Vivek’s death takes on those close to him. The multiple timelines weaving together the story of Vivek’s childhood and his sudden death create a partly disjointing narrative, but Emezi’s use of rich prose and evocative storytelling presents a story that that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. I’m hoping to pick up more of their works soon!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Transphobia, and Misogyny

michaelion's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-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

Ever since this book came out all I've heard is people wahwahwah about the incest when there is a MUCH LARGER, MORE IMPORTANT THEME AND PLOT POINT to the story. AND!!! Emezi says the two books that inspired this one in the acknowledgements!!! They did the work for you and people still didn't get it!!!! You people make me sick. You lack media literacy, reading comprehension, AND critical thinking skills.

Akwaeke Emezi, the person that you are. You've done it yet again. I can't wait to read all their books. They are truly amazing.

In my notes I put Vivek was her grandma reincarnated. The grandma the baby. This may have been intentional but if it's not I'm saying it as fact!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Body horror, Blood, Incest, Child abuse, Death, Grief, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Colonisation, Dysphoria, Gore, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, Sexual content, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Rape, Gaslighting, Violence, Outing, Physical abuse, Biphobia, Mental illness, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Animal death

Minor: Murder, Confinement, Hate crime, Vomit, Miscarriage, and Abandonment

victorsbookshelf's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, and Misogyny

filosophicfoton's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Grief, Transphobia, Abandonment, Death, Incest, and Outing

Moderate: Homophobia, Blood, Hate crime, Violence, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Domestic abuse

lazlio's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.5

This was a beautifully written book. Very sad and heavy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Death, Lesbophobia, Outing, Homophobia, and Transphobia

thepassivebookworm's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Incest, Blood, Dysphoria, Physical abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Death, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

shoohoob's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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

3.75

Beautifully written book. I flew through it and the characters were fascinating to me. That being said, the incest was really prominent and almost made it DNF. 

I’m not really sure why Vivek and Osita couldn’t have just been close childhood friends instead of cousins. Maybe it was just supposed to add to taboo life Vivek was living, but it was really uncomfortable

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia, Incest, and Homophobia

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Blood, Infidelity, and Outing

tinyjude's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

I liked the writing style and the ending felt powerful and fulfilling despite it's tragedy after wondering so bad what happened to Vivek.

I wish that instead of seeing Vivek/Nnembi from everyone's points of view, we got more from her inner world and how she felt in those final months. Especially with all the gender fluidity and sexual identity that could have  been explored through her lens. My biggest complain is the incest like WHAT THE FUCK? they could have been childhood friends and that would have made this so much more enjoyable, but making them cousins... I hated every second of it. Also, why is everyone fucking everyone without their partners' knowing? WHY ARE YOU CHEATING AND SAYING YOU LOVE YOUR GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND???? I DONT GET IT.
After so much transphobic comments from his parents, I am glad that his mom accepted him, even though it was too late and her reactions at first hurt so much to read.
The grandma was my favourite character. She rules even after death, she would have loved Vivek/Nnembi so much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Death, Grief, Incest, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Transphobia

the_abundant_word's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Was this book a celebration or condemnation? Honestly I’m really not sure. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Incest, Death, and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual content, Sexism, Infidelity, Grief, Blood, Death of parent, and Death

Minor: Infertility and Islamophobia

directorpurry's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Biphobia, Blood, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Transphobia, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Infertility, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Xenophobia and Fire/Fire injury