Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

34 reviews

gorgeousdreamerreads's review against another edition

dark emotional informative reflective sad 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

5.0

This narrative, a poignant and intricate masterpiece, revolves around the profound themes of secrecy, acceptance, and protection. The Death of Vivek Oji delves into the pervasive nature of stereotypes, the intricate dynamics of family relationships, and the stark realities that confront individuals within the confines of contemporary societal norms. The pervasive theme of family secrets serves as a catalyst for self-discovery, emphasizing the paramount importance of authentic friendships. The extensive exploration of these secrets underscores the significance of protecting and honoring them. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infertility, Infidelity, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

greenpearls's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Grief

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment, and War

Minor: Hate crime, Mental illness, and Death of parent

_bestie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

“I was born and I died. I will come back.

Somewhere, you see, in the river of time, I am already alive.”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Dysphoria

brynalexa's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

I went into this book blind but pretty sure I’d love it. Love is the wrong word but it was very easy to get through  (wonderful formatting) and extremely well written. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Grief

Moderate: Animal death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Racism, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol

coolfoolmoon's review against another edition

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!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Biphobia, Deadnaming, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Outing, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Dysphoria

Minor: Confinement, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Vomit, Murder, and Abandonment

sara_berlin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

5.0

I found this book to have a less avant-garde style than some of Akwaeke Emezi's other books, but still with their unique flair, which I always love. It also fit into my accidental reading trend of gravitating toward perspectives that I don't often hear, which definitely applies to mainstream American literature and queer Nigerians. For both of those reasons, I really enjoyed the story, despite it's clear tragedy. The Death of Vivek Oji deserves to become a classic. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Transphobia, and Death of parent

abitbetterbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Transphobia, Blood, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death and Physical abuse

tea_kettle's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

amazing story, beautifully written, and one i would read again despite the heartbreak. However, the mildly (and later very graphically) incestuous themes were pretty uncomfortable to get through, and i don’t think they necessarily needed to be that way. Still, it was a great story, and i’m glad it was told, especially by a writer so skilled. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, Transphobia, Grief, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Deportation

crimsonreader's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Death, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, and Grief

Minor: Death of parent

the_abundant_word's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Was this book a celebration or condemnation? Honestly I’m really not sure. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, and Transphobia

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Infertility and Islamophobia