Reviews

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

belladonnashrike's review

emotional reflective fast-paced

3.5

this was soo messy, but I loved it. I love drama. I didn’t get invested until Alim was introduced and I wish the pacing didn’t feel a little off (their relationship happened so fast). I also would’ve liked to read more about Jonah & his relationship with Feyi, as well as who she is outside of relationships (especially as an artist. Emezi writes about art incredibly well, especially in Pet, and I wish Feyi’s process and passion was more involved than it was). her backstory just seemed very underdeveloped, but I did like her character. the eventual love story was very cute, and although it was incredibly messy, I felt it to be realistic. it’s a beautiful thing when two people who have lost as much as they did come together and learn to love & be vulnerable again.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief

midnightrubies's review against another edition

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

4.0

This was so messy but I loved watching Feyi find love again.

catnapping's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I had a hard time relating to the characters in this novel, which colors my perceptions of it. That said, there were things that I enjoyed: 

• The narration for the audiobook was phenomenal. 
• The author did a wonderful job of creating an environment and drawing the reader into it. Everything was beautifully described in a way that really made me feel a part of it. 
• The descriptions of art in the book were so engaging that it felt like I was experiencing the exhibits. I'm not usually that into art but there was something very moving about how it was portrayed in this book. 
• I wanted to eat all of the food Alim prepared. It sounded amazing. 
• Alim had such well developed emotional intelligence and we could probably all learn something from how he communicated at certain parts of the book. 

I don't know that I'd recommend this book, but it did make me very interested to read other books by the author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, and Sexual content

tushimi's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

4.25

mayrad's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• 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

4.5

Emezi's writing is as beautiful as always. She has so much talent with words. I realize this book can be polarizing. It is the quintessential forbidden love story. But somehow, Emezi gives it humanity and makes the reader see the reality within these relationships. People fall in love when they least expect it, and sometimes it's messy and forbidden and a really bad idea - but sometimes you can't help who you fall in love with. This novel explores that idea perfectly. Yes, it's unconformable at times, but we are human and unpredictable, and we don't always get to choose who we love. 

jkerr85's review

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

I really really dislike this book.  Strongly dislike the characters, the plot, and the writing.   I found the writing and the language of the characters inconsistent.   The worst book I've read this year. 

cherri350's review

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jammons's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

eyd's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

3.0

sageswaby's review

4.0

4.5 ⭐️

akwaeke emezi has such a way with words and making you expand your emphathy for characters. the entire time i read i was visually seeing everything so crisp in front of me, it was like a second sight honestly. as the reader, it’s perfectly laid out how feyi & alim were both right and wrong in how their love unfolded. you put the book down with their unwavering loyal love following you which at the end of the day was all that mattered. the book made me want to find the love of my life immediately!