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A review by ruth24
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One day in Nigeria a mother finds her son’s body laid on her doorstep, stripped of his clothes and wrapped in cloth. Based on the title of the book, it's no spoiler that the body belongs to Vivek. The story follows his life leading up to that day, slowly unfolding the mystery of his death. It's a story of grief and loss, but also of living and identity as Emezi explores how the various characters react to Vivek in life and in death.
So compelling and accessible was The Death of Vivek Oji that it instantly pulled me in. I loved the Nigerwives (as they call themselves), the foreign women who have come to live in Nigeria with their Nigerian husbands and formed a community. One moment they were supportive and lifting each other up and the next they were gossipy and judgemental. I also loved being immersed in the Nigerian culture and language, the roar of the motorbikes and the bustle of the market.
Emezi made me feel all the feels and I absolutely loved this book! I'd recommend The Death of Vivek Oji to anyone looking for a beautifully written tragic story of love, grief and acceptance and to fans of Chinelo Okparanta's Under the Udala Trees.
One day in Nigeria a mother finds her son’s body laid on her doorstep, stripped of his clothes and wrapped in cloth. Based on the title of the book, it's no spoiler that the body belongs to Vivek. The story follows his life leading up to that day, slowly unfolding the mystery of his death. It's a story of grief and loss, but also of living and identity as Emezi explores how the various characters react to Vivek in life and in death.
So compelling and accessible was The Death of Vivek Oji that it instantly pulled me in. I loved the Nigerwives (as they call themselves), the foreign women who have come to live in Nigeria with their Nigerian husbands and formed a community. One moment they were supportive and lifting each other up and the next they were gossipy and judgemental. I also loved being immersed in the Nigerian culture and language, the roar of the motorbikes and the bustle of the market.
Emezi made me feel all the feels and I absolutely loved this book! I'd recommend The Death of Vivek Oji to anyone looking for a beautifully written tragic story of love, grief and acceptance and to fans of Chinelo Okparanta's Under the Udala Trees.