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dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Rape
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This was an interesting collection of short stories set primarily in Lagos, each story being rather dark and unsettling in nature while centering modern Nigerian culture and society. What I particularly enjoyed about this collection was how vivid Aguda’s storytelling was. She does an excellent job whisking the reader into the vibrant life of Lagos, capturing the sounds and scenery that one might find themselves experiencing if they were in the city. Furthermore, each story had something sinister lurking in the corners that isn’t quite noticeable at first, but increasingly makes itself present to the reader in an eerie fashion.
With that said, I didn’t love this collection as much as I hoped I would. I’m not sure if it was a headspace thing or what, but I found myself skimming through a few stories. There were some really strong ones that I’m still thinking about, though, such as “Manifest” and “The Hollow.” Even if all these short stories didn’t quite work for me, I’m glad to have picked this debut collection up. I’d be really curious to know what Aguda has in store for the future, particularly if she has plans to write a novel. I know I’d pick it up, especially with the distinct voice she has.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Abandonment
Moderate: Violence, Car accident
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, Self harm, War
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence