Review by nini23 - Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow

nini23 's review for:

Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku

3.5

fast-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

In what appears initially to be a comical light-hearted novel, Damilare Kuku shines a spotlight on the unrelenting pressure and scrutiny on young women's bodies. Témì, short for Témìladé, causes a furor at the reading of her father's will when she announces to her scandalized family that she intends to get a surgical buttlift. Kuku's debut novel then pans in on each of Témì's family member's perspective and backstory: her mother Hassana, her maternal aunt Auntie Junmai, her older sister Ládùn, her paternal aunt 'Big Mummy.' Included briefly in this panning are the barrister at the scene, the family pediatrician. As Témì recounts her childhood, it becomes clear that what seemed like a frivolous desire has its roots on how she was bullied and overlooked due to her flat backside and stick figure. For the other women, their recounting is also distressing on the unwanted ubiquitous ogling, groping, harassment, sexual assaults that occurred. Further enraging is when the woman is blamed after rape. All these tie into the reason why Témì's sister left home abruptly after a big fight with her mother five years ago.

Both this novel and Kuku's book of short stories All Men in Lagos Are Mad reflect the sexism, injustice, suffering that Nigerian women go through with that dark comic undertone. High on action and snappy dialogue, it's fast reading. I am not fond of coincidental meet-ups in a big city and birth secrets, both present in this novel. The Nigerian colloquialisms like calling mistresses 'smallies' and Yoruba culture plus the influence of Christianity was interesting to me, as well as the brief mention of the 1997 conflict between neighbouring towns Ifẹ and Modákéké.

Content Warnings