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

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

3.0

While this was a well written book in terms of imagery and foreshadowing.  I also thought the progression of understanding Vivek’s identity and his transition was well done.  I loved the commentary on spiritual psychosis. HOWEVER….
there was really no need for the cousin incest to be described to that degree and portrayed as “true love”.  Upon reflection, Osita was repressed and he had an innocent crush on Vivek as a young child, growing up jealous of Vivek’s openness and identity—so his repression and reluctance to live his life freely as a gay man in Nigeria led him to turn to the only other queer male he knew and had a emotional relationship leading him to change the relationship to a physical one made sense.  However, that does not mean we have to pretend like incest is true love lol or have to describe the physicality to such a degree. Additionally, there were a couple plot holes like Vivek’s spells. Lastly, I actually hated the ending. I was hoping that, as the book went between pre- and post-death, Osita would not be in any way connected to Vivek’s death. To me that would have been too predictable. To make matters worse, Nnemdi died in the most ridiculous way possible.
In my opinion there were many unnecessary plot lines that actually had no effect on the plot.  So much went on in that book.  Like too much.
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