A review by bookaquarius
Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions: A Novel in Interlocking Stories by Omolola Ijeoma Ogunyemi

challenging emotional funny sad fast-paced

4.0

The last chapter of this interlocking short story collection had me googling “Kansas hospital debt jail” just to double check I didn’t miss a chapter in real life. 😮‍💨 I love a good speculative twist! 

Anyway, per the synopsis: “Nigerian author Omolola ljeoma Ogunyemi makes her American debut with this dazzling novel which explores her homeland’s past, present, and possible future through the interconnected stories of four fearless globetrotting women. Moving between Nigeria and America, Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions is a window into the world of accomplished Nigerian women, illuminating the challenges they face and the risks they take to control their destinies.” 

This was a quick read and very engaging! I was so caught off guard by the last chapter but in hindsight it made so much sense. I thought this part was risky and fun and bold. 

The author and the main characters of this story are Nigerian, and whenever I read from non-American authors who write about America I always feel like I’m eavesdropping on a conversation happening in another room. But I just can’t move away because I’m so curious what they will say! Will it be fair? Will it be spiteful? Do they see the same problems I see? Do they love it or hate it more than me? It always makes me curious lol. I liked reading how the four main characters’ stories overlapped and diverged going from America to Nigeria to several other places and back. This short collection also jumped around in time mostly from the 80s/90s to modern day in a seamless way. Despite the short length, so much history was packed in to each character so there was so much material to unpack with each chapter. I was also surprised and intrigued by the short vignettes from side characters in and around the lives of the four main women. 

If you’re looking for a short story collection definitely pick this up! I think this one gives a nice balance of contemporary fiction and speculative fiction so it will appeal to a broad range of readers.