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

challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This book was unspeakably sad and bleak. Like, I recognize that no book owes anyone a happy ending, but given the subject matter of gender expression and identity, I was expecting for there to be some moments of joy or transcendence, even if you know the subject is going to die at some point. Before Vivek dies, you know, I wanted to see them live. Instead, there's barely a single moment of respite, it's just one traumatic "reveal" after another.

Spoiler: And, yes, the narrative builds up to the death scene as if it's a "reveal," in a manner that I honestly found to be in poor taste. Like, there's this powerful moment where Vivek finally says, "My name is Nnemdi," and the omniscient narrator begins using "she/her" pronouns to describe her... and not even a page later, she trips and falls to her death?!? Doesn't this outcome undercut her entire character arc? Doesn't that say to readers that the minute Nnemdi becomes her full, authentic self, some cataclysm immediately befalls her?

Anyway, there were some individual scenes I really enjoyed, but certain choices and themes felt underdeveloped.
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