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bookish_olga's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
“Some people can't see softness without wanting to hurt it”
This novel will punch you in a gut and leave you breathless! The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi is a haunting and lyrical exploration of identity, family, and the secrets that define us. Set in Nigeria, the novel begins with the heart-wrenching image of a mother finding her son's lifeless body on her doorstep. From this moment, Emezi masterfully unravels the life of Vivek Oji, a young person navigating the complexities of gender and self in a society that struggles to understand them.
The strength of The Death of Vivek Oji lies not only in its evocative prose but also in its profound examination of love and acceptance. Emezi deftly weaves together multiple perspectives, creating a rich tapestry of voices that reveal the depth of Vivek's impact on those around him. The narrative oscillates between past and present, slowly unveiling the truths hidden beneath the surface. This poignant and powerful novel is a testament to Emezi's skill as a storyteller, leaving readers with a lasting impression of the beauty and pain inherent in the search for one's true self.
nooralala's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
lizziaha's review against another edition
challenging
sad
5.0
AKWAEKE EMEZI YOUVE DONE IT AGAIN!! You ever read a sentence and it’s so good you want to eat it??
This book deals with some very complex issues and honestly i felt deeply uncomfortable about some of it. But I think that’s part of what made the book so good. It lets you form your own conclusions alongside the characters. It forces you to wade into the nuance and muddy your own moral compass.
It’s really impossible to describe this reading experience but i want a physical copy in my hands NOW. A reread is imminent.
This book deals with some very complex issues and honestly i felt deeply uncomfortable about some of it. But I think that’s part of what made the book so good. It lets you form your own conclusions alongside the characters. It forces you to wade into the nuance and muddy your own moral compass.
It’s really impossible to describe this reading experience but i want a physical copy in my hands NOW. A reread is imminent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Transphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Dysphoria
Minor: Rape
lennymckenny's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
Mostly good. The incest was a little weird though. Is it still incest if it's cousins? Seems like it, esp if the cousins are calling each other "brother"...
dukegregory's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Emezi is sooooo talented, and what I've read (this and Freshwater), although not amazing to me, show such ability and promise that they are clearly an author to look out for. I love the characters' nuance here and the simultaneous readability and artfulness to their prose. But this novel does flop entirely to me as the mystery it sets itself up to be. The ending with Osita is obviously tragic, but I also find it a tad easy, a clear character choice to heighten emotionality, and thus a tad unsatisfying. I'm more so confused by the incest here though. I'm not really a prude, but I don't understand its necessity, if there is any. Vivek's general genderfluidity/transness is enough of a stigmatized notion within the Nigerian community shown to make the cousins' romantic relationship odd, since it makes it more forbidden, sure, but that's already been instilled otherwise. Why could Osita just not be a family friend that Vivek meets at standardized test prep, the way it happens in the novel as is. Regardless, I support the endeavor. It's wonderful to see a queer Nigerian voice come to the forefront of anglophonic literature. It's deserved even with my reservations.
Emezi is sooooo talented, and what I've read (this and Freshwater), although not amazing to me, show such ability and promise that they are clearly an author to look out for. I love the characters' nuance here and the simultaneous readability and artfulness to their prose. But this novel does flop entirely to me as the mystery it sets itself up to be. The ending with Osita is obviously tragic, but I also find it a tad easy, a clear character choice to heighten emotionality, and thus a tad unsatisfying. I'm more so confused by the incest here though. I'm not really a prude, but I don't understand its necessity, if there is any. Vivek's general genderfluidity/transness is enough of a stigmatized notion within the Nigerian community shown to make the cousins' romantic relationship odd, since it makes it more forbidden, sure, but that's already been instilled otherwise. Why could Osita just not be a family friend that Vivek meets at standardized test prep, the way it happens in the novel as is. Regardless, I support the endeavor. It's wonderful to see a queer Nigerian voice come to the forefront of anglophonic literature. It's deserved even with my reservations.
smoacs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
rachelz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
sunset8305's review against another edition
4.0
This book explores all things identity, stigma and discrimination. It’s heartbreaking, but quite uplifting / empowering at points.
Why’d I pick this read? Books by Taylor
Why’d I pick this read? Books by Taylor
karalee's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been quite a while since I read a book in one day — this book changed that!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the unnecessary violence committed against people who are deemed ‘different’ in any way. Those at peace with themselves are in danger because of others who are impulsive and hateful. I can’t say too much without it being considered a spoiler…but while this novel plays with the topic of violence against trans people, it also wraps up in a beautifully devastating way.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the unnecessary violence committed against people who are deemed ‘different’ in any way. Those at peace with themselves are in danger because of others who are impulsive and hateful. I can’t say too much without it being considered a spoiler…but while this novel plays with the topic of violence against trans people, it also wraps up in a beautifully devastating way.