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chekwube's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Started and finished it in the same day, not just because it’s a shorter book but because it was that good. The plot kept thickening, we kept learning more about the characters and it just altogether built in such a beautiful way. Akwaeke really keeps you on your toes throughout itching to understand the characters more and understand what exactly led to the death of Vivek Oji. It was amazing.
It was also very challenging because you rarely ever find books that make you really think about issues critically and challenge your set-in-stone ideals. This was one of those books and the whole time, I felt like I could relate with and connect to the characters.
Also the ending was literally spectacular. Like wow. Everyone should read this book. One critic said you leave the book feeling wiser and empathetic and I definitely agree.
This book made me think a lot about the things people are going on beyond the surface that we really don’t see.
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
summerb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Dysphoria, Sexual content, Child death, Death, Grief, Incest, and Infidelity
Moderate: Alcohol, Infidelity, Biphobia, Body shaming, Child death, Cursing, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Outing, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Deadnaming, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Vomit
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
No one really knew Vivek during his live, except for his closest cousin, Osita. Now in his death, his mother is grasping to learn everything she did not understand about Vivek. Vivek's mother found his naked body wrapped in fabric, delivered to their home. She just wants to understand how Vivek died, because she assumes there was some sort of foul play. She turns to Osita because he is the one who knew Vivek best.
This book tackles a lot of challenging issues because Vivek suffers from debilitating disconnections, and he also struggled with his identity. Vivek likes to wear dresses and he likes boys, which is NOT accepted in his Nigeran home. There are also themes of grief and acceptance that were impeccably done.
I cannot say enough how impactful this read was.
Graphic: Child death, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual content
davidrb's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Outing, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, and Violence