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bookswithlydscl 's review for:
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow
by Damilare Kuku
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75*
This is a humourous and touching family saga of the drama that unfolds when 20 year old Témì announces at her father's funeral that she is going to move to Lagos to get her 'bumbum' enhanced. What follows is an unfolding of family secrets and lies and the realisation that Témì might be the sanest member of her family.
I was intrigued by the premise of this story, given the pressure on women to look a certain way predominantly due to the pressure of social media and influencers and I wanted to read about this from the perspective of a country and culture different to my own (this book is set in Nigeria).
I really enjoyed being put into the middle of this chaotic situation. The narrative style really gave a sense of what it is to be a part of a large and intertwined family and from everything that I've got to know about Nigerian culture from friends and colleagues, it really captured that aspect of community that is so hugely important. The use of Nigerian Language and dialect interspersed with English was also a great way to add to this too.
There are a number of POVs in this story which can get confusing, but it means that it reads like what I expect it would be like being in the middle of that situation - multiple voices all shouting to be able to give their perspective and view on the situation, that concern about what others will think and how to uphold family honour.
In amongst these voices commenting on Témì's decision we also get backstory to the other women in her family and get to understand why the family dynamic is what it is and that is what made the story so intriguing. We get the humour from the desire to get a BBL but we get the heart from what has happened in the past and how it can be reconciled in the present.
I read this predominantly as an ebook but also listened to the audiobook which I felt really brought the words, women, humour and culture to life and would highly recommend it as an alternative option for experiencing this book. I also felt that the 2nd person perspective worked better in audio format for me.
It's a relatively short and fast read that touches on so many important topics including body dysmorphia and body image but keeps humour and heart at its centre. The narrative style may not work for everyone and it was a little confusing at times but I enjoyed it and liked what I had to say and the way that it said it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for an eArc of "Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
This is a humourous and touching family saga of the drama that unfolds when 20 year old Témì announces at her father's funeral that she is going to move to Lagos to get her 'bumbum' enhanced. What follows is an unfolding of family secrets and lies and the realisation that Témì might be the sanest member of her family.
I was intrigued by the premise of this story, given the pressure on women to look a certain way predominantly due to the pressure of social media and influencers and I wanted to read about this from the perspective of a country and culture different to my own (this book is set in Nigeria).
I really enjoyed being put into the middle of this chaotic situation. The narrative style really gave a sense of what it is to be a part of a large and intertwined family and from everything that I've got to know about Nigerian culture from friends and colleagues, it really captured that aspect of community that is so hugely important. The use of Nigerian Language and dialect interspersed with English was also a great way to add to this too.
There are a number of POVs in this story which can get confusing, but it means that it reads like what I expect it would be like being in the middle of that situation - multiple voices all shouting to be able to give their perspective and view on the situation, that concern about what others will think and how to uphold family honour.
In amongst these voices commenting on Témì's decision we also get backstory to the other women in her family and get to understand why the family dynamic is what it is and that is what made the story so intriguing. We get the humour from the desire to get a BBL but we get the heart from what has happened in the past and how it can be reconciled in the present.
I read this predominantly as an ebook but also listened to the audiobook which I felt really brought the words, women, humour and culture to life and would highly recommend it as an alternative option for experiencing this book. I also felt that the 2nd person perspective worked better in audio format for me.
It's a relatively short and fast read that touches on so many important topics including body dysmorphia and body image but keeps humour and heart at its centre. The narrative style may not work for everyone and it was a little confusing at times but I enjoyed it and liked what I had to say and the way that it said it.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK and Netgalley for an eArc of "Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.