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thisthat100's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
- 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
4.0
Highlights
- Vivek Oji: When referencing a death or tragedy of a trans/queer individual, very few instances do the media execute their ideas in a way that respects the individual and the community they represent. Thankfully, this book is an exception. Nnemdi is such a complex character and I loved that when a chapter focuses on her perspective it is short yet written in a way that meaningfully shapes the direction of the narrative.
- Osita: Also a complex character in the sense that he is written in a way that suggests moral ambiguity. He and Oji's perspective are the necessary anchors to the mystery that continues to flesh out as the plot unravels itself.
Aspects that did not connect with me
I loved the final chapter where Nnemedi reflects on her death and Osita (probably my favourite part of the book). But I personally felt how the plot twist of her death did not live up to the potential of the smart writing on Emezi's part. I felt that it redeemed Osita too much as a character and would have garnered a greater impact if it was open-ended to maintain Ostia's moral ambiguity. - I suspected early on in the novel that Osita's perspective was unreliable. Rather than completely reveal the event of Nnemedi's death, I would have loved if it concealed certain details that allude whether her death was accidental or intentional yet revealed Osita's involvement (Osita having the necklace, their guilt disguised as grief).
- The harsh reality is that for many deaths involving trans/queer people, there is a lack of resolution as to the nature of their death and would remain unsolved.
- This would make the Vivek's (Nnemedi) perspective in the final chapter more provoking. They are able to find the resolution within themselves despite their death being made unresolved.
Overall, I loved Emezi's writing style in this book and how they tackle nuanced characters and themes while also painting a complex portrait of Nigeria.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Religious bigotry
Minor: Hate crime
Vivek Oji's death has been speculated as a likely hate crimemasego's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
shoohoob's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia, Incest, and Homophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Blood, Infidelity, and Outing
kathyreadsalot'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
5.0
My heart is smashed and stomped on. Wow. This book was heartbreaking and sad and had me boohoo crying with the characters. This was prose at its finest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia
mandi_lea's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death, Grief, Transphobia, Sexual content, Blood, Dysphoria, Incest, Infidelity, and Religious bigotry
pitayacactus's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
I loved just about everything about this book. The story, the storytelling, the relationships between characters, the writing style. It would have been 5 stars had it not been for the incest and grief driven infidelity (I don't enjoy incest or cheating but the rest of the book was good enough to not make me dnf.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Incest
Moderate: Infidelity
django018's review
emotional
sad
tense
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
the_vegan_bookworm's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.75
Akwaeke Emezi is a masterful storyteller and writer. Every book they write is a gift to experience, and this one is no different. The last 20% of the story, in particular, made me sob. The entire novel has such a a deeply lyrical and emotional story about the way we relate to others and how well we know the peiple we live. I think we can all see ourselves in the characters with their emotional depths. Akwaeke is so talented at describing grief and making that raw, difficult emotion something they can communicate through their stories. It is such a talent.
The book is heavy in many ways, so please be mindful of the content warnings.
The book is heavy in many ways, so please be mindful of the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, Sexual content, Grief, Medical content, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Death
For context on the incest tag:isabeldotml's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Incest and Transphobia
atuin'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
4.0
A deeply beautiful story about grief, self acceptance, and Nigerian culture. I also give credit to the fantastic narration in the audio book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry