Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

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orbs's review

dark emotional sad

4.75

AUDIO: legit a 4.95. point deducted for the incest. que the game of thrones opening theme.
did tear up while at work. do not recommend if you have to hide the fact you wear earbuds at work.

do recommend however for fans of “moonlight”

littlepepperguy's review against another edition

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challenging emotional

4.5

If you had asked me to rate this book 1/2 way thru it would not be getting as high of a review. The beginning is a bizarre non-chronological jumble of feelings and revelations and a lot of uncomfortable themes.

Vivek

(Nandy)

is portrayed as a deeply troubled child plagued with strange fugue states. It's almost like Vivek is haunted. Vivek's parents think he is severally mentally ill and that explains the more feminine/sensitive aspects of their child they don't understand. They are very controlling of Vivek and don't allow any forms of self expression Vivek attempts without punishing them for it.

You also meet Vivek's circle, primarily his cousin, Osita. They have a complicated relationship to say the least.

This book is monumentally meaningful to me as a trans person whose parents have also pressured societal norms onto and forced me to preform a gender that I don't align with. It is beautiful to feel seen by a character but it is important for me to not co-opt Vivek's story and transpose it onto my life where it does not fit. Would be an injustice to the intersectionality of this novel. The ending is gorgeous and devastating and you just have to read it.

P.S. there is some mild incest (first cousins) so if that's a deal breaker for you, you have been warned.

belleakuvi's review

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woooooooooooooooooooooooow

shrimpybear's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

sarahboudereads's review against another edition

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5.0

Sobbing and virtually hugging all queer people of colour.

teabagandtales's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad tense 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

4.0

Tale Lovers
✨I introduce you to a classic ✨

denisa13's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad 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? Yes

3.75

bookishgyal_'s review

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

lilyvs's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

4.5

michaelion's review

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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!

Content Warnings

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