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pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An amalgamation of Nigerian folklore and spirituality, psuedo-autobiographical origin story, examination of mental health, sexuality, and gender expression, and deep effects of multiple traumas. Despite coming from a completely different situation and life, I found reflections of my experiences, which helped me feel real and seen. I think many other Queer and/or non-conforming folks could find cathartic comfort here as well. I wouldn't call this a "happy" story, but cathartic (emotionally purging). You're gonna cry, ugly sad mortified cry, but also warm hug after a bad day cry.
I'm so excited to read EVERYTHING else by Akwaeke Emezi, their new novel "Little Rot" comes out this Spring, and they're currently releasing a new album 🔥
CW: rape, disordered eating, suicide, self-harm, addiction, gaslighting, psychosis, dysmorphia, emotional/physical abuse, medical trauma, trans/homophobia, death, miscarriage. Definitely check StoryGraph for more in depth analysis of content warnings if there are specific topics you wish to avoid.
Graphic: Transphobia, Blood, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Gaslighting, Addiction, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Abandonment, Grief, Self harm, and Suicide
michaelion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
They peeled my scalp back, cracked my skull open, and wrote exactly what's going on in my brain. What the heck Akwaeke Emezi my future spouse. How dare you. I love you. I guess I'm an ogbanje? Is it appropriative of me to say that even though I know my ancestry comes from Nigeria I'm just not sure which people group? Anyway anyway. I am her and they is me and I am we. Amazing. I'm so glad I chose to pock this up this month. THIS IS Black history NOW !!!
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Self harm, Rape, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Addiction, Homophobia, Eating disorder, Violence, Death, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Abandonment
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Transphobia, Biphobia, Pedophilia, and Medical content
snaileton'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
5.0
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Transphobia, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
kodi_rae's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Transphobia, Self harm, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, Dysphoria, and Body horror
mcluster1's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Rape
alexdebello'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
5.0
Emezi is a visionary, and is bringing to life unforeseen possibilities that run wild outside of boxes and pre-established norms for writers of color and writers at large.
I cannot recommend this book enough, and personally plan on reading more of Emezi’s work as soon as possible.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, Outing, and Child abuse
Minor: Dysphoria
grandiose_r's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Rape, Misogyny, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Car accident, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Self harm, Addiction, Blood, Medical content, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Lesbophobia, Infertility, Racism, Gaslighting, Transphobia, Cultural appropriation, and Homophobia
Minor: Outing, Vomit, Cannibalism, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Confinement
gabriella_dorianne'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
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Body shaming
raneyak's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story is told in a non-linear fashion, jumping back and forth in the timeline while different characters (personalities/identities within the main character) tell stories from their perspectives. This choice worked excellently for the story being told, with story pieces being told not in order of time but instead in order of personal significance.
This book was quite explicit, though, and while the language was lyrical it still talked about self harm and suicidal ideation. Be very careful reading it if you have a history of mental health issues.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Transphobia, Blood, Child abuse, Rape, Grief, Dysphoria, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcohol, Medical content, Outing, and Homophobia
lizziaha's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug use, Child abuse, Death, Transphobia, Infidelity, Homophobia, Alcohol, Grief, and Outing
Minor: Religious bigotry