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deannareadsandsleeps's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“I don’t mind anymore. I see how things work now, from this side. I was born and I died. I will come back. Somewhere, you see, in the river of time, I am already alive.“
.
Now. I knew going in that this would be a sad read, yet I was still struck by how heavy my chest felt as I made my way through. Emezi provided us with a narrative that takes a deep look into the burden of how it feels to not belong. We watch, through the eyes of multiple characters, many flawed behaviors and decisions that make us uncomfortable, but also pulls out of us a sharp compassion that can leave clutching your chest. It must be a nearly inconceivable agony to be unable to live your full truth for fear of losing your love, your place, and perhaps, even your life. It’s not fair. Yet these are the stories to resonate with millions of people who identify as queer because they too suffer under that same weight. I feel it’s easy to look at these characters and some of the choices they make and go straight to judgement, but I implore you as readers, if able, to dig deeper than that. Look further and think to yourself: if my very existence was turmoil, what would I do to carve out a tiny slice, a crumb even, of peace for myself? Let a glimpse at the depths of that desperation open your eyes to bit of understanding. And Vivek Nnemdi Oji, my darling...you deserved so much more.
.
Friends, I cannot stress enough the care you should take in reading this. The book, while beautifully written, is also incredibly heavy and deals with a plethora of triggering topics, some shown in passing, others pressed into. Please be careful. ♥️
.
Now. I knew going in that this would be a sad read, yet I was still struck by how heavy my chest felt as I made my way through. Emezi provided us with a narrative that takes a deep look into the burden of how it feels to not belong. We watch, through the eyes of multiple characters, many flawed behaviors and decisions that make us uncomfortable, but also pulls out of us a sharp compassion that can leave clutching your chest. It must be a nearly inconceivable agony to be unable to live your full truth for fear of losing your love, your place, and perhaps, even your life. It’s not fair. Yet these are the stories to resonate with millions of people who identify as queer because they too suffer under that same weight. I feel it’s easy to look at these characters and some of the choices they make and go straight to judgement, but I implore you as readers, if able, to dig deeper than that. Look further and think to yourself: if my very existence was turmoil, what would I do to carve out a tiny slice, a crumb even, of peace for myself? Let a glimpse at the depths of that desperation open your eyes to bit of understanding. And Vivek Nnemdi Oji, my darling...you deserved so much more.
.
Friends, I cannot stress enough the care you should take in reading this. The book, while beautifully written, is also incredibly heavy and deals with a plethora of triggering topics, some shown in passing, others pressed into. Please be careful. ♥️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Rape and Animal death
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