Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

sarawisdom's review

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

dezeagle's review against another edition

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

3.0

doyouknowjuno's review against another edition

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5.0

Waves of sadness are still hitting me from this book.

"My Sister the Serial Killer", broke me out of my reading slump this year, but "The Death of Vivek Oji", has reminded me why I love to read.

I myself am non-binary and Nigerian by my father's side, and while I have faced hurt and rejection for my identity, I recognise the absolute privilege I have in my life over Vivek and his own story. This truly brokey heart, and I felt every emotion reading it, but returned to sadness each time.

This book has moved me, and I know I will be thinking about it for months to come.

Thank you Akwaeke Emezi.

sberinger's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely beautiful. The first half of the book, I was a little confused with the nonlinear storytelling, but once I got to the half-way point I was hooked. Beautiful writing. This book was heart-wrenchingly sad, yet beautiful and real. Love really does conquer all.

We often see death as an ending, as the thing that leaves families empty, friends missing and a loss for the world. But Vivek Oji shows us how death can be a lovely thing. Without this death, Vivek's parents may never have known who she was. They may never have gotten to love their child for who she was. They know that if they knew the truth while he was alive, they would not have accepted him. And now they can live know their child was not sick, but was living their truth and able to be their whole self.

This is the kind of book that leaves your heart aching, yet full. It will stay with you for days, or even weeks. You won't be able to get this one out of your head. And you will be grateful for it.

starlitstorm's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad 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

apaudioreads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

ronniefinley's review against another edition

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3.0

i had higher expectations, the last 25% of the book carried the whole thing

gemrob's review against another edition

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5.0

OH MY LOORRDDDDD

oseremen's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

i couldn’t put it down. one of the best i’ve ever read. how am i supposed to be normal again 

yochananvered's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

This was very well written. I did not enjoy it at all. I struggled to finish it because I felt so bored for so much of the book. Emezi is clearly a talented writer. I would like to read something else by her, but this one was very much not for me.