Reviews

Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

maryz63's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

minidutchie's review

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

thatgirlisreading's review

emotional slow-paced

4.0

emmmgarratt's review

challenging dark hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Sexual assault

ronjibonji's review

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Hab das Buch regelrecht verschlungen trotz der emotional schwierigen Thematik. 

minnietimperley's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

4.0

potion96's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.5

neolx's review against another edition

challenging sad tense medium-paced

4.0

laura_sackton's review

Very sad. Really loved it.
Loved the last third especially.

fa_biene's review against another edition

3.0

A lovely debut, this novel tells the coming-of-age story of a queer man in Nigeria.

The prose is measured, and the plot is carefully crafted. The characters, especially in the beginning, are well-developed and aptly described.

However, as the story progresses, the narrative increasingly pivots towards serving a political agenda, particularly highlighting the devastating impact of Nigeria's 2014 anti-homosexuality bill. While I recognize the importance of addressing such issues, the novel's heavy-handed focus on politics reduces the characters to mere vessels for delivering a message. 

Still, this is a solid book, and the first half (especially the part that is set at school) is very well-crafted and a pleasure to read.