A review by anjoureadsbooks
Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective relaxing sad slow-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? No

4.5

This is one of those stories that stay with you for a very long time. It is beautiful, sad, haunting and hopeful at the same time.

Blessings is a coming of age story that explores self-discovery, acceptance and self hatred. In this story, you see what it means to grow up and live in a society where your identity is criminalized and you have to hide parts of yourself.

This story follows Obiefuna whose father discovers him in an intimate situation with a boy and essentially alienates him from the family by sending him away to a Catholic boarding school. This journey begins when Obiefuna is 15 years old and we see him navigate life in secondary school all the way to University. Along the way, he finds love, friendship and community. 

We also see his mother’s perspective which I truly loved. It was interesting to read.
One of my favorite quotes came from her:
“It's one thing to love a child, but it's an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved.”
The ending of this story is both sad and hopeful and I have a keen appreciation for this kind of storytelling.

Chukwuebuka Ibeh’s writing is captivating and beautiful. The way he renders the characters’ complexities and context is quite remarkable and it will stay with me for a while.
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