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globetrottingcat's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Only Big Bum Matters Tomorrow" is an incredibly engaging book that initially captivates with its humor and the quick wit of Nigerian mothers and aunties. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals itself to be much more layered than its title suggests. The narrative weaves together the complex lives of various women, exploring themes of love, loss, identity, and grief.
As someone preparing for a move to Nigeria, this book has deepened my appreciation for the richness of Nigerian literature. It beautifully encapsulates the vibrant culture and the profound, often poignant, experiences of its characters. Through their stories, the book offers both a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into the multifaceted lives of Nigerian women, making it a memorable and impactful read.
As someone preparing for a move to Nigeria, this book has deepened my appreciation for the richness of Nigerian literature. It beautifully encapsulates the vibrant culture and the profound, often poignant, experiences of its characters. Through their stories, the book offers both a heartfelt and humorous glimpse into the multifaceted lives of Nigerian women, making it a memorable and impactful read.
bookedwithamba's review against another edition
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
seakay05's review
4.0
After enjoying Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad by Kuku, I was really excited to get into Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, and rightly so, I think. While it is a fairly humorous and casual novel, at its heart, it's about the generational stories of women and the struggles each generation has had to face. Kuku offers an insightful look into the unique pressures faced by younger generations brought on by social media as well as those faced by the older generation brought on by social norms. (Of course, these overlap quite a bit still). All the same, they are all brought together by the expectation to be with men and, specifically, bad men. While there may not be the resolution we'd hope for from each of the women involved, Kuku still asks us to think about the implications of what does end up happening.
As I was with her last work, I'm a big fan of her use of the second person for only Témì's point of view, really focusing on her as the central character despite the many detours we take to examine the lives of other characters. I think, again, Kuku is a little more liberal with sex scenes than I was comfortable with, especially because I don't think all of them were necessary, but that's probably my only complaint. There are a lot of characters to follow, but as a reader, I found I was able to get used to it quickly and enjoyed being able to see the same event from a different perspective. This was a solid 4 to 4.5 stars for me!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this as an eARC!
As I was with her last work, I'm a big fan of her use of the second person for only Témì's point of view, really focusing on her as the central character despite the many detours we take to examine the lives of other characters. I think, again, Kuku is a little more liberal with sex scenes than I was comfortable with, especially because I don't think all of them were necessary, but that's probably my only complaint. There are a lot of characters to follow, but as a reader, I found I was able to get used to it quickly and enjoyed being able to see the same event from a different perspective. This was a solid 4 to 4.5 stars for me!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for the opportunity to read this as an eARC!
africanbookaddict's review
2.0
More like 2.5 stars. This book starts off really engaging, but I didn't care about the numerous storylines and POVs after the 1st 50 pages. Too many different storylines run concurrently with some chapters written in first person, while the main character’s chapters were written in the third person. Weird.
I liked the Nigerian english and phrases... I loved the main character's late father (what a man!), and I also liked some of the aunties who had such vibrant & toxic personalities (Jummai & Big Mummy). Temi and Ladun's sisterhood was cute - for once, even though the sisters were sometimes pitted against each other, love prevails in their relationship.
I felt like I was actually in Nigeria while reading - so kudos to the writer for being able to translate Nigeiran-isms thru the pages. But this book had too many characters and POVs and a really confusing writing style, which resulted in poor execution of the overall story. Also felt like I was supposed to learn a moral lesson by the end... which gave this book a YA (genre) feel by the end [???]
I will still read her popular short story collection - Nearly All Men In Lagos Are Mad. Maybe Damilare's writing shines brighter in that SS collection. But she's the GOAT when it comes to vulgar, catchy book titles though. Hilarious.
I liked the Nigerian english and phrases... I loved the main character's late father (what a man!), and I also liked some of the aunties who had such vibrant & toxic personalities (Jummai & Big Mummy). Temi and Ladun's sisterhood was cute - for once, even though the sisters were sometimes pitted against each other, love prevails in their relationship.
I felt like I was actually in Nigeria while reading - so kudos to the writer for being able to translate Nigeiran-isms thru the pages. But this book had too many characters and POVs and a really confusing writing style, which resulted in poor execution of the overall story. Also felt like I was supposed to learn a moral lesson by the end... which gave this book a YA (genre) feel by the end [???]
I will still read her popular short story collection - Nearly All Men In Lagos Are Mad. Maybe Damilare's writing shines brighter in that SS collection. But she's the GOAT when it comes to vulgar, catchy book titles though. Hilarious.
graywild's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I received this book as an ARC. The story revolves around Temi who wants to get a Brazilian Butt Lift because she is unhappy with her body. The story explores the complex relationship women have with their bodies and how men in Nigeria treat women (which is not great in many instances). The stories explores the complexity of relationship with different generations. The characters are somewhat superficial for me and while parts are interesting, overall I didn't like the story.
morybaby's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for the eARC.
When the author announced this book on twitter I was very keen on reading it. I enjoyed her debut a lot and I enjoyed this one as well.
Damilare Kuku is a social commentator. There were many things addressed in this book, body dysmorphia being the main topic, but other things such as grief, friendship, sex, etc ( can’t name all of them so as not to spoil it). She’s one of the growing number of Nigerian authors that write books that are not centred around trauma.
I found myself laughing out loud a lot of times.
I loved how the author used ami ohuns for all Yoruba names.
The book was set in Ife which was breath of fresh air. Not every time Lagos
I do wish there were less POVs, at some point it was hard to keep track.
3.5 ⭐️
When the author announced this book on twitter I was very keen on reading it. I enjoyed her debut a lot and I enjoyed this one as well.
Damilare Kuku is a social commentator. There were many things addressed in this book, body dysmorphia being the main topic, but other things such as grief, friendship, sex, etc ( can’t name all of them so as not to spoil it). She’s one of the growing number of Nigerian authors that write books that are not centred around trauma.
I found myself laughing out loud a lot of times.
I loved how the author used ami ohuns for all Yoruba names.
The book was set in Ife which was breath of fresh air. Not every time Lagos
I do wish there were less POVs, at some point it was hard to keep track.
3.5 ⭐️
sandraaa_xo's review against another edition
4.0
ARC via NetGalley.
Kuku is such a great author, I loved Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad and so, I was so excited to hear she had a new book coming out. This book didn't disappoint. I love that she writes for our parents and elders and the diaspora. I love that through this book we experience and hear sorrow, love, hope, betrayal and so much more in the plot of the Témì's surrounding family.
At first reading this book I wasn't sure what all the wahala was over Témì wanting to do this, not because I think it's no big deal, but I guess because with my generation it seems to be a done thing. However, Kuku puts you into the lives of her immediate family and their toils and troubles to see why such an action could be so distressing to them. I love how she weaved the lives of her mum and aunts into these stories, we met them and then we are taken deeper into their lives and what made them who we are today. This is what I love about reading, humans make sense when you see the sum of who they are, and books allow you to do this, and Kuku does this so effortlessly in her writing. She weaves scenarios and decisions that make you nod and say "yes, I see who you are now." We also dive into Témì and why she wants this done and yes, it's the case of merciless teasing, careless comments and comparison, but it still leaves you feeling sad that such words and actions could cause an individual so much pain that they feel this is the only way to "fix" themselves. The book packs many themes but its central theme is that of beauty.
This book is also funny, that's what I loved about Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad - it had so much humour in it. This follows the same suit, amongst grief and hurt, there is humour and love.
Kuku is such a great author, I loved Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad and so, I was so excited to hear she had a new book coming out. This book didn't disappoint. I love that she writes for our parents and elders and the diaspora. I love that through this book we experience and hear sorrow, love, hope, betrayal and so much more in the plot of the Témì's surrounding family.
At first reading this book I wasn't sure what all the wahala was over Témì wanting to do this, not because I think it's no big deal, but I guess because with my generation it seems to be a done thing. However, Kuku puts you into the lives of her immediate family and their toils and troubles to see why such an action could be so distressing to them. I love how she weaved the lives of her mum and aunts into these stories, we met them and then we are taken deeper into their lives and what made them who we are today. This is what I love about reading, humans make sense when you see the sum of who they are, and books allow you to do this, and Kuku does this so effortlessly in her writing. She weaves scenarios and decisions that make you nod and say "yes, I see who you are now." We also dive into Témì and why she wants this done and yes, it's the case of merciless teasing, careless comments and comparison, but it still leaves you feeling sad that such words and actions could cause an individual so much pain that they feel this is the only way to "fix" themselves. The book packs many themes but its central theme is that of beauty.
This book is also funny, that's what I loved about Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad - it had so much humour in it. This follows the same suit, amongst grief and hurt, there is humour and love.
teresa_a's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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