Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

allyalagar's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

hbrxnnxmxn's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

Kind of torn on this one. I really like several of Akwaeke Emezi’s other works (Pet and Bitter), however in some ways I can tell this is one of their earlier works. There is a lot built into the narrative in the short 240 pages, however the speed at which we progress through the story results in what feels like a little bit of a rush to get to the end and therefore lacks some of the emotional punch I was expecting.

I also spent so much of the novel questioning why incest was included and wondering if I was missing something on this particular plot point. Perhaps it’s a difference in cultural norms or forcing us to face uncomfortability, but I just couldn’t get past this part. I kept thinking just how strong this story would be if they were childhood friends or anything other than biologically related. It was something that continuously bothered me (especially because it  was emphasized so much) and it really took away from my ability to engage.

Overall interesting story and impactful themes, just a bit of a letdown I suppose. 

wildelwrcase's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

3.75

steve_32's review against another edition

5.0

A highly impressive novel that will lure you in.
At the start the body of Vivek Oji is laid on his mother’s doorstep. We know Vivek will die but who was Vivek, what kind of person was he and why was his life cut short? This is the story of a man growing up in middle class community in Nigeria, an outsider trying to live the life he wanted facing intolerance and a lack of understanding. Akwaeke Emezi is a storyteller who has created some wonderful characters who are carefully drawn out as each one gives their thoughts and views on Vivek.
An astonishingly good novel - highly recommended.

draganana's review against another edition

emotional sad 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

3.75

elena_niko's review against another edition

4.0

3,5☆

roanfrancis's review against another edition

4.0

Beautifully told story about a family and community’s relationship to an enigmatic queer young person in Nigeria. I appreciated the nuance, the friendships, the complexity of the sexual relationships. I wanted to hear a bit more from Vivek, who played kind of a manic pixie dream queer role - but the story wasn’t so much about Vivek as others’ experiences of him. The little glimpses were maybe enough for what the book was doing.

kurdiwrites's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.25

jsoakes's review against another edition

3.0

This was well done and touches on a lot of subjects. It focuses more on Vivek than I expected. I thought it would be more about his family and reconciling life with death after it happened. While that was present, this was really more of Vivek's life and story. The main reason this is isn't a 4 is because there is a very important and central incestuous relationship that just kept making me say "why?" and cringe. Like all of the relationships and growth and experiences could have been explored without making these two characters related by blood. It was mentioned a LOT, too. So it was a central idea, but the necessity for it was really never explained.

Spoiler

(Even more than just being cousins as close as brothers, it's heavily implied that Vivek is the reincarnation of their grandmother, so their relationship is like almost grandmother/grandson? The family aspect just overshadowed the rest of the character relationships and development.)

carrietmills's review against another edition

5.0

This is the best book that I have read in 2020. No doubt about it. I just... damn. This one is going to linger. Believe the other reviews: I cried with that ending, my tears made it hard to finish. Damn it. Seriously. This book... god damn. Perfectly written, expertly sequenced. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

**Re-read for book club, August 2021. Still crying. The last entry gets me every. dang. time.