Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

tjmgibson's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

salemander's review against another edition

5.0

this shit absolutely broke my heart, emezi has such a gorgeous way with words. the way they immerse you into these worlds and make you sit in these feelings of discomfort is absolutely unmatched. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Incest, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Rape

nolawords's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

circlepines's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

readwithbell's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

4.0

Wonderfully written story about grief, identity, love and family

Pacing was perfect, and the way the story jumps back and forth in time between characters was done brilliantly 

The ending fell a little flat but what a brilliant, heartbreakingly tender coming of age story!

ras1146's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

coco_lolo's review against another edition

4.0

Finally got around to reading this, and let me say it once more: Akwaeke Emezi is not an author to sit on. The way they write characters, family tensions, and just their prose is absolutely breathtaking, and I loved seeing this newest story unfold through the various perspectives of those who loved Vivek Oji. I did find one particular chapter a little needless—certain details were vital, but perhaps those could have been brought in differently—and one half of the mystery as to what happened to Vivek was clear from the beginning (perhaps intentional). Overall though, quite compelling! I'm definitely going to read their future books and perhaps pick up their middle-grade novel at some point.

rjphilander's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

3.5

dialhforhgai's review against another edition

4.0

“Somewhere, you see, in the river of time, I am already alive.”

bluleys's review

dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

4.0