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A review by albernikolauras
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The words rolled off of the page in this book. It starts off with Vivek's dead body on their mother's steps, and builds outwards. Bouncing around through time and from different people's memories of Vivek. Emotion dripped off the page as you slowly pick up momentum to discover how Vivek died.
This book was uncomfortable to sit with at times, beautiful, full of pain, full of joy. It was about being yourself and how that can put you at risk. It is a book to sit with or read/listen to when you can focus on it because Vivek deserves that level of consideration.
I am not sure what separates this book from being 5 stars. I just didn't end up quite feeling as connected to it as expected. I think I wanted more Vivek (which might be because everyone wanted more of them). Perhaps it was the discomfort of sitting in the grief of this book. Either way, I would strongly recommend this for anyone.
This book was uncomfortable to sit with at times, beautiful, full of pain, full of joy. It was about being yourself and how that can put you at risk. It is a book to sit with or read/listen to when you can focus on it because Vivek deserves that level of consideration.
I am not sure what separates this book from being 5 stars. I just didn't end up quite feeling as connected to it as expected. I think I wanted more Vivek (which might be because everyone wanted more of them). Perhaps it was the discomfort of sitting in the grief of this book. Either way, I would strongly recommend this for anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Incest, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, Violence, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Minor: Miscarriage