Reviews

The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

nikitagupta98's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

The Death of Vivek Oji by Awaeke Emezi explores themes of identity, family dynamics, grief, and societal expectations against the backdrop of contemporary Nigeria. The novel focuses on the titular character, Vivek Oji tracing his life and those close to him as they grieve over his sudden death. 

At the heart of the story, the main character grapples with their identity, navigating the complexities of gender and sexual orientation in a society with rigid expectations, while suffering bouts of disassociation. Emezi cleverly weaves these moments of disassociation with Vivek’s exploration of his identity in short chapters from his perspective. “I didn’t have the mouth to put it into words, to say what was wrong, to change the things I felt I needed to change […] If nobody sees you, are you still there?” 

The novel also explores grief and the toll Vivek’s death takes on those close to him. The multiple timelines weaving together the story of Vivek’s childhood and his sudden death create a partly disjointing narrative, but Emezi’s use of rich prose and evocative storytelling presents a story that that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. I’m hoping to pick up more of their works soon!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Transphobia, and Misogyny

baileyboldt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

lesegod's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

ratchel_l's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-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

3.25

kim_j_dare's review against another edition

5.0

You know from the beginning that Vivek Oji has died. The absolutely gutting magic here is how Akwaeke Emezi slowly peels back layers to make this story— of one community in Nigeria in the late 1990s, of the unwitting complicity of family and friends— transcend expectations. Read this.

adelaidewho's review against another edition

emotional sad

5.0

raenique's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

vivian_m_anderson's review against another edition

slow-paced

4.0

it was quite good! at times a little slow but the end was lovely and devastating

ladymcgrace's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

Loved the suspense in this one🤌🏾😆, the author didn't drag it out to the point it became annoying.

I loved how she used everyone to tell the story, like we were jumping from person to person as we got closer to the truth, It was exciting😆.

- The time jumps, back and forth wa done right cause I enjoyed it

The Incest part threw me off, neh, mara. I was so intrigued with finding out how he died that I moved past it so quickly💀😭.

- How he died💔😭😭😭😭😭😭 yho I didn't see that coming kise🤞🏿 maybe cause of how the author was busy mentioning how much vivek lost weight, coupled with his phasing out episodes I really though he had like a rare psychological disorder Kanti... 

- loved Somto😂😂😂😂 my fighter that one🫵🏾🤣, as for useless rat🤣🤣🤣🤣

I'm glad Osita didn't disclose what they were doing cause yho💀😭

Ebenezer 😭🤣😂 yerr he killed me, rubbish man, not him calling mama florance a wicked woman, rich coming from you sir🫵🏾🙄🚮 And chika‼️🙄🚮 sies maan!

The nigerian society was a nice touch, kinda reminded me of bo Stockvela, hari dumeli vibes .

sweetling's review against another edition

3.75

I'm sad to say this was my least favourite Akwaeke Enezi book, even though I did find it got better towards the end. It was a beautiful and sad story about queer community and love. I did love the *spoiler* cousin love, and how it was just beautiful.