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allisondukes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sofi0518's review against another edition
5.0
"Alone is a feeling you can get used to, and it’s hard to believe in a better alternative."
I am having a hard time formulating my thoughts on this amazing book even though I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished it.
The story of a Nigerian family dealing with the death of their son, Vivek, told mostly through the eyes of his cousin Osita, this books expertly deals with so many issues: love, loss, marital strife and the harsh reality of being different in a society where that can mean death. The relationships are complex and nuanced; the love story atypical and heartwrenching.
The writer's prose was beautifully written. I found myself rereading certain passages because I found them so beautiful.
This is not the type of book I would have normally picked up. I am so glad our book club selected this - it is a book that is not to be missed.
I am having a hard time formulating my thoughts on this amazing book even though I have not stopped thinking about it since I finished it.
The story of a Nigerian family dealing with the death of their son, Vivek, told mostly through the eyes of his cousin Osita, this books expertly deals with so many issues: love, loss, marital strife and the harsh reality of being different in a society where that can mean death. The relationships are complex and nuanced; the love story atypical and heartwrenching.
The writer's prose was beautifully written. I found myself rereading certain passages because I found them so beautiful.
This is not the type of book I would have normally picked up. I am so glad our book club selected this - it is a book that is not to be missed.
readersbutterfly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
I have to give this book its flowers, for the mystery, the intrigue, the sweetness, the queerness. There are so many different layers in how you approach this book, but its content is something that grabs hold of you and refuses to let go, no matter what. Equal parts heartbreaking and eye-opening, with a vivid background and rich familial tapestry. I had fun, and I mourned, and are these not the endless cycles of life?
full_of_flowers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
4.25
Really enjoyed seeing Emezi mention Chronicle of a Death Foretold once I reached the acknowledgements, since I was really getting hints of it throughout the book. I have some mixed feelings for sure about some of the characters' relationships, but it's complex, and I can't deny that it says a lot and was very well put together.
erinlcrane's review against another edition
3.0
I *loved* Freshwater, so I thought I was going to love this. Not so much!
The writing felt more standard, less expressive than Freshwater. The plot also felt more standard, like a family drama or mystery. Somewhere past halfway, I guessed that Vivek was dressing as a woman and that Osita had brought her back undressed to hide that. So that reveal was anti-climatic for me. It also honestly felt a bit gross for it to be withheld and used as a shock?? I didn’t feel good about that, but I don’t identify as genderqueer, so I can’t really say if that’s offensive. Plus the author is gender nonconforming, so what do I know. What I will say is that it didn’t work as a “reveal” to me. I’d rather it have shown up in the book earlier as we learned about Vivek/Nnmedi.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story and will read more by Emezi.
Favorite quotes:
He was the one leaving me alone with my mother, who felt like a hammer instead of a person.
I could feel the shame like a shadow in my chest, but it was faint, insignificant. I didn’t care. I didn’t care. I would do it again, all of it, for him, always for him.
But if that pleasure was supposed to stop me from being a man, then fine. They could have it. I’d take the blinding light of his touch, the blessed peace of having him so close, and I would stop being a man. I was never one to begin with, anyway.
“We can’t keep insisting he was who we thought he was, when he wanted to be someone else and he died being that person, Chika.”
The writing felt more standard, less expressive than Freshwater. The plot also felt more standard, like a family drama or mystery. Somewhere past halfway, I guessed that Vivek was dressing as a woman and that Osita had brought her back undressed to hide that. So that reveal was anti-climatic for me. It also honestly felt a bit gross for it to be withheld and used as a shock?? I didn’t feel good about that, but I don’t identify as genderqueer, so I can’t really say if that’s offensive. Plus the author is gender nonconforming, so what do I know. What I will say is that it didn’t work as a “reveal” to me. I’d rather it have shown up in the book earlier as we learned about Vivek/Nnmedi.
Overall, I still enjoyed the story and will read more by Emezi.
Favorite quotes:
He was the one leaving me alone with my mother, who felt like a hammer instead of a person.
I could feel the shame like a shadow in my chest, but it was faint, insignificant. I didn’t care. I didn’t care. I would do it again, all of it, for him, always for him.
But if that pleasure was supposed to stop me from being a man, then fine. They could have it. I’d take the blinding light of his touch, the blessed peace of having him so close, and I would stop being a man. I was never one to begin with, anyway.
“We can’t keep insisting he was who we thought he was, when he wanted to be someone else and he died being that person, Chika.”
clariast7's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, and Grief
maggie_solem's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kneebees's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I've been thinking about this book since i read it. I love the writing style and the structure. This is a devastating book about grief, love, queerness, gender non-conformity and family & community. Akwaeke Emezi is one of the best authors ever! I want to read everything they've ever written