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A review by abooknomad
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a hard book to talk about. It’s heartbreaking, it’s tragic, and it’s an eye-opener.
The Death of Vivek Oji is a story told in flashbacks, alternating between first and third-person narration, slowly revealing the events that led to the main character’s death, Vivek. I think this narrative style fits the story and its overall message perfectly because so few people knew the true “I” of Vivek before his parting.
This book was only 250 pages long, but it packed an emotional punch. It’s a story about not only feeling other in the body you were born in (or a body that society only sees one way) and the repercussions of stifling your identity and true self, but it's also a book about life in Nigeria and the different relationships and culture shocks coming with the gathering of people hailing from different places trying to adapt to a new country and how hard it is to break traditional values. It's about a group of young people coming to terms with their identity and sexual orientation. Most of all, it's a book about grief.
This was my first book by Akwaeke Emezi and I now understand why their storytelling and style have received such praise. They say so much in so little and in such a compelling way.
I think it’s important to underline that this book discusses topics and situations that might make some readers uncomfortable and content warnings are needed.
Overall, this was a wonderful and insightful read. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The Death of Vivek Oji is a story told in flashbacks, alternating between first and third-person narration, slowly revealing the events that led to the main character’s death, Vivek. I think this narrative style fits the story and its overall message perfectly because so few people knew the true “I” of Vivek before his parting.
This book was only 250 pages long, but it packed an emotional punch. It’s a story about not only feeling other in the body you were born in (or a body that society only sees one way) and the repercussions of stifling your identity and true self, but it's also a book about life in Nigeria and the different relationships and culture shocks coming with the gathering of people hailing from different places trying to adapt to a new country and how hard it is to break traditional values. It's about a group of young people coming to terms with their identity and sexual orientation. Most of all, it's a book about grief.
This was my first book by Akwaeke Emezi and I now understand why their storytelling and style have received such praise. They say so much in so little and in such a compelling way.
I think it’s important to underline that this book discusses topics and situations that might make some readers uncomfortable and content warnings are needed.
Overall, this was a wonderful and insightful read. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Transphobia