Reviews

Wow can i just say that this book is not simply eye opening in a sense of how it depicts problems but the problems it shows. It taught me about apart of the world i don’t live in so i’ve absentmindedly neglected. I knew about homophobia being VERY extreme in Nigeria but i’ve never thought deeper about the problems, let alone any problems, in Nigeria. I learned about the civil war, I learned about tribes, I learned about the dedication to religion, I learned about what it was like to be gay in the country, and I learned (through Ijeomas eyes) how life carries on.

From the start of the book I not only loved the authors style, by personal taste, but the choice of how things were described. Her imagery really stuck with me for the first few parts, while it did dilute as the book furthered (my guess is because of no longer building the nostalgic feeling of the past? I don’t know this isn’t an essay on the book).

As the story progressed and love interests came and went (I’m a little dramatic only two), it was beautiful how Ijeomas love is shown through her actions and intense feelings. First with Amena whom I didn’t like for her actions but eventually understood. I initially (and stupidly) thought of her as a coward for leaving Ijeoma and pursuing a random guy. After thinking it over I realized that especially in their environment it couldn’t have been an easy choice for Amena and even though it’s upsetting and agitating it’s the way life can go (something this book taught me).

After Amena was Ndidi who I might have been reluctant to accept (literally just because she wasn’t Amena... oops). However despite my initial harsh judgment Ndidi grew on me because she was brave and started to help Ijeoma break out from her lock on her first love. Their love followed all that of second and forever on one; It was slow shy and nervous but slowly blossomed as each of them learned to love the other. Ndidi made an honest mistake telling Ijeoma to pursue the date that led to the horrific marriage but can we blame her? While the author didn’t go in depth it was evident that Ndidi had been left for a husband by previous girlfriends and with all that was going on around them her insecurity’s only grew. In the end I grew to love Ndidi as I had Amena and Ijeoma.

Finally I get to part six which was a long one full of just dull sadness. The author used her tone efficiently to show that Ijeoma was depressed and every day living that life only drained her until she would break. I constantly searched for a single breaking point but all the self hatred and lingering effects of society led Ijeoma to pursuing no matter how bad it got. Which honestly broke my heart. I thought she would leave with the machete, I thought she would leave with the rape, and I thought she would leave with the miscarriage. Constant misfortune befell her but her simple and dedicated mindset that was built up throughout the book (and shaped into self hatred) would not let her leave. When she finally left and went back to Ndidi for happiness all felt well.

I honestly expected a very dark and unhappy ending, especially with their surroundings, however I was pleasantly surprised. It was a story to give hope and a voice after all (as stated in the authors note). All I have to say now is stories like this should be in my curriculum not Fever 1793.

michkeenah's review against another edition

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4.0

lovely book, gorgeous ending!

rowlf_reads's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

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

4.0

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