Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji tells the story of the titular character and how Vivek’s family deals with grief and loss. At the end of the book, we learn Nnemdi (her chosen name) was a trans woman and was likely murdered because of it. It’s a well-told story and it’s not very long. I just don’t think I’m in a position to give this story a rating, but that’s not to say it’s bad or that I disliked it at all.

I went into this book knowing there was incest in it, but what I was not expecting was a two-chapter long sex scene between cousins. If I were to rate it, the length alone would be enough to deduct a few points. I also didn’t find any characters particularly likable, including Nnemdi, at times.

juice99's review against another edition

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3.0

Super mixed feelings about this one. I really loved the writing and a lot of the story, but in the end felt like I really would have loved to see more of Vivek’s point of view. Because of all of the other characters dominating the narrative, to me it felt less freeing and more sad in the end.

leslico's review against another edition

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5.0

So beautiful and sad

plethora_of_ghosts's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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

4.75

ryner's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

3.0

Osita's cousin Vivek has always been a little...different. He's a little more sensitive, a little more in his own world, and unusual in some other ways at odds with traditional Nigerian culture.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. The storytelling is really quite wonderful, and I know I was engaged while in the narrative, but just a few days afterward I had nearly completely forgotten the details. I guess it didn't really stick with me? I'd still recommend it, though. There is a lot of insight into contemporary Nigerian culture and its complexities. Be forewarned that there is no happy ending.

tativieira's review against another edition

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emotional 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? N/A

4.5

logancoxx's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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? No

3.5

The ending of this book made it a strong 3.5

It was well written, beautifully written. The emotions - heartbreak, sadness - were so strong as the story unfolded.

HOWEVER…

I’m not really sure how/why we were supposed to be rooting in love for… literal family? I couldn’t get past that.

Thoughts while reading:

This last 10% is so, so sad. It’s awful that he and his friends had to hide.

I feel like… we, as readers, are supposed to root for Vivek and Osita in a way??? But like…. They were literal family.

I think listening to this as an audiobook was to its detriment.

96% OMG WHAAAAAATTTT

Heartbreaking.

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