Reviews with content warning for Death - You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

This book felt a bit like reading Seven Days in June again. There is such depth and intensity to this story and the characters. As someone who has walked with grief for a long time, I found myself these pages at times. And sometimes it was uncomfortable, and I think that’s part of the point of the story. It’s hard to look away from these chaotic characters and their choices.

This literary fiction novel is messy and raw and explosive with new and forbidden love. Which made it beautiful and also at times rather un-relatable. You are both repelled and repulsed by some of the characters choices, both enamored and dismayed.

You made a fool out of death with your beauty is an interesting exploration of ethics and how grief molds and changes each of us in vastly different ways. This novel is quite atmospheric, and you may find yourself with a new appreciation for the art of food and creation (I know I did).

It is written incredibly well, and it very quite quotable.

For a shorter book, I found it simultaneously lagging in some parts and feeling very rushed and others. However, it does seem intentional on the authors behalf. But it made it challenging for me to stay invested in the plot. Overall, I am grateful I read this book for its bravery in characterization and beautiful depiction of the environment, but felt pulled out of the world at times due to how the story was written.

Content Warnings

jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

Akwaeke Emezi packs a heartbreaking punch with Feyi's tale of grief and its everlasting effect on our lives. You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is my favorite of the two Emezi works I've read. The forbidden romance plot mixed with Feyi's character really sucked me in. The writing is so easy to want to keep reading. It definitely had the typical messy charm I've come to associate with their storytelling as well as a lush setting description.

I think the best part of Feyi and Alim's romance is that they've both experience the unique grief of losing a partner that you'd thought you'd grow old with. It makes their romance that much more believable because they understand each other's loss. I generally didn't like the third act drama from Alim's grown-ass kids, but I understood why it happened. I would've liked to see just a little bit more at the end, but it was still very good.

Read this if you like forbidden/friends dad romance, being insanely attracted to someone you shouldn't, delicious and delectable foods, and art that packs a punch.

Content Warnings

ella8ella's review

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emotional 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

3.5

I’m conflicted; some of the prose is beautifully written, but I found the

relationship with Alim

both unrealistic and really annoying, with a nihilistic edge. I do think the grief aspect was well-handled.

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