A review by nikitagupta98
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi

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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