Scan barcode
A review by thewordsdevourer
Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
vagabonds! is an inventive and original novel that's surprisingly dense, though quite rambling.
the book's premise is so fresh in concept w/ the world of the living and in-betweens overlaying one another. the exploration of its themes through the lagos setting is incisive and thought-provoking, and the queer characters + their stories range from macabre to sad to wholesome.
however, i personally find this book not very readable; aside from how surprisingly dense it is, sth just makes getting through it low-key a chore, making it the book i take the longest to finish this yr. the pacing could be a factor as it slogs at times, w/ the middle chunk esp rambling bc of the huge cast of interconnected characters who arent explored deeply enough. the novel's inventive concept couldve gone further into more fun - or at least unexpected - territory as well; somehow the magic and supernatural aspects of it arent fully taken advantage of, im afraid.
this is a provocative novel that treats queer stories w/ care and nuance, and adeptly explores themes that also interlink w/ its setting. im personally inspired by its craft but also think it hasnt yet reached its full potential both in terms of story and structure.
the book's premise is so fresh in concept w/ the world of the living and in-betweens overlaying one another. the exploration of its themes through the lagos setting is incisive and thought-provoking, and the queer characters + their stories range from macabre to sad to wholesome.
however, i personally find this book not very readable; aside from how surprisingly dense it is, sth just makes getting through it low-key a chore, making it the book i take the longest to finish this yr. the pacing could be a factor as it slogs at times, w/ the middle chunk esp rambling bc of the huge cast of interconnected characters who arent explored deeply enough. the novel's inventive concept couldve gone further into more fun - or at least unexpected - territory as well; somehow the magic and supernatural aspects of it arent fully taken advantage of, im afraid.
this is a provocative novel that treats queer stories w/ care and nuance, and adeptly explores themes that also interlink w/ its setting. im personally inspired by its craft but also think it hasnt yet reached its full potential both in terms of story and structure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Confinement, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
Minor: Suicide, Abandonment, Cancer, and Infidelity