A review by emily_mh
Fibbed by Elizabeth Agyemang

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

My dislike of this graphic novel can largely be attributed to my dislike of the art style. I really didn’t enjoy the way Agyemang drew people, and there was a general lack of detail in the scenery that made it feel like the story was taking place in liminal spaces. Admittedly, I liked the way animals were drawn, but that was about it. And when you don’t like the art style in a graphic novel, it is akin to not liking the writing style of a prose novel. It’s fundamental.

I also found that the plot lacked cohesiveness. It felt like it didn’t commit to being a story about environmentalism or a story about a trickster god, and if it wanted to be about both, I believe the themes could have been interwoven more smoothly.

While the MC Nana undergoes character development, I wasn’t particularly interested in the arc in the end. I wanted Nana to have given up on truth-telling a bit earlier to better pace the development.

Though overall I didn’t enjoy this read, there were definitely some positives! Firstly, I loved getting a glimpse into Ghanaian traditional beliefs. Agyemang actually included asides (relevant to the main plot) in the form of specific stories that read like fables, which was a lovely touch. Also, it is so interesting to me that across cultures there often seems to be some kind of deity or hero who gives knowledge to humankind where previously it was the domain of the gods. Finally, the topic of colonisation and exploitation of Africa as a continent by the West was presented in an accessible way for MGs. I perhaps wish that more specifics were given, and maybe some more context. But it was fairly clear nonetheless.

Rep: Ghanaian-American MC, Ghanaian SCs
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