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A review by myc_w
God of Mercy by Okezie Nwoka
3.0
My reflection here is for an advanced copy of the novel, which I received in exchange for a review.
This is an incredibly well-written, but complex book dealing with difficult issues of emotional and cultural trauma. Ijoema is a mute Igbo girl born to a father who is deeply disappointed by her affliction, even more so when he discovers that she has a connection to the Gods and can perform miracles (or is it witchcraft?). This tale takes a decidedly dark turn for the heroine and spends most of the novel exploring the ways in which she is isolated, exploited, and brutalized.
I was very interested in this book. Conceptually, it was right up my alley—and I can see it being a popular choice for book clubs and on many short lists for potential awards because it is a beautiful achievement, especially for a debut novel. It is ultimately a story about love, more than anything else. But it is difficult to rate because this story is very much not for me. I recognize the artistry of Nwoka’s writing and the beauty of the novel, but I did not enjoy it. How does one rate a book like that? I liked it, but I found myself frequently stepping away from it (it was often hard to stay engaged), and would not read it again. But, as I said, I do not doubt that there is an audience out there that will absolutely love this book in all its complexities.
This is an incredibly well-written, but complex book dealing with difficult issues of emotional and cultural trauma. Ijoema is a mute Igbo girl born to a father who is deeply disappointed by her affliction, even more so when he discovers that she has a connection to the Gods and can perform miracles (or is it witchcraft?). This tale takes a decidedly dark turn for the heroine and spends most of the novel exploring the ways in which she is isolated, exploited, and brutalized.
I was very interested in this book. Conceptually, it was right up my alley—and I can see it being a popular choice for book clubs and on many short lists for potential awards because it is a beautiful achievement, especially for a debut novel. It is ultimately a story about love, more than anything else. But it is difficult to rate because this story is very much not for me. I recognize the artistry of Nwoka’s writing and the beauty of the novel, but I did not enjoy it. How does one rate a book like that? I liked it, but I found myself frequently stepping away from it (it was often hard to stay engaged), and would not read it again. But, as I said, I do not doubt that there is an audience out there that will absolutely love this book in all its complexities.