ottiedottie's review against another edition
4.0
[Edited to change author's pronouns. Apologies]
So. The author is clearly competent, skillful even with their mastery over language and their ability to make the audience feel things.
I adored the setting of Nigeria and the rich descriptions of the cultural backgrounds of the characters, especially the Nigerwife families. The details felt incredibly authentic and the time and place both felt real and grounded. The grief and confusion felt by the family and loved ones were palpable too. I too really fell into a spell for the enigmatic Vivek.
However, the more I think about it, the more I dislike the Citizen-Kane-like plot with the mystery around his death. Especially considering the reasoning of it all, it felt a little gimmicky to me.
And if the point was to show how each person in his life was only aware of snippets of the whole beautiful person that he was, then I fail to understand why his friends acted like they knew everything there was to know about him and why that was thoroughly supported by the narrative. The broader context was definitely done well with this method of storytelling but I think something as personal as the story of Vivek/ Nnemdi's gender identity and sexual orientation simply doesn't work when told by people twice/ thrice removed from their experience.
Also, I couldn't help but note that in the eyes of the people around him and the enigmatic POV snippets that he dropped in too, that he was almost a flawless and mystical being. I wonder if that was a very deliberate choice that the author made on perception and identity or if that is how they viewed Vivek herself.
I ended up liking how the gender stuff ended up tying in with the cultural stuff and the death of his grandmother and all that, cheesy though I found it. I wasn't aware that there would be romanticized incest in here though, and I wish I had a warning to look out for it. The conversion therapy was also pretty painful to read about.
And maybe this is something that will settle within me later, but the choice and reveal of Vivek/ Nnemdi dying because of Osita's overprotective nature and simply tripping on a rock, and not because of the dangers of the mobsters outside... I'm not sure I like the straightforward and simplistic message that comes with that very much. What Vivek did definitely was a risk and he knew it- it was a risk he was willing to take to live a life where he was free and true to himself. But isn't it reductive to reduce homophobia and transphobia especially in places like these to an individual choice to be rather than systemic violence and discrimination? Sigh. There is no way it could've ended happily for him. There is no way Osita could've acted to prevent this tragedy from happening ultimately. Maybe that's the saddest part that we needed to take away from this.
I am pretty excited to read Freshwater by the same author next. I heard it tackles themes of identity in a much less straightforward and more complex way with mystical elements as well.
So. The author is clearly competent, skillful even with their mastery over language and their ability to make the audience feel things.
I adored the setting of Nigeria and the rich descriptions of the cultural backgrounds of the characters, especially the Nigerwife families. The details felt incredibly authentic and the time and place both felt real and grounded. The grief and confusion felt by the family and loved ones were palpable too. I too really fell into a spell for the enigmatic Vivek.
However, the more I think about it, the more I dislike the Citizen-Kane-like plot with the mystery around his death. Especially considering the reasoning of it all, it felt a little gimmicky to me.
And if the point was to show how each person in his life was only aware of snippets of the whole beautiful person that he was, then I fail to understand why his friends acted like they knew everything there was to know about him and why that was thoroughly supported by the narrative. The broader context was definitely done well with this method of storytelling but I think something as personal as the story of Vivek/ Nnemdi's gender identity and sexual orientation simply doesn't work when told by people twice/ thrice removed from their experience.
Also, I couldn't help but note that in the eyes of the people around him and the enigmatic POV snippets that he dropped in too, that he was almost a flawless and mystical being. I wonder if that was a very deliberate choice that the author made on perception and identity or if that is how they viewed Vivek herself.
I ended up liking how the gender stuff ended up tying in with the cultural stuff and the death of his grandmother and all that, cheesy though I found it. I wasn't aware that there would be romanticized incest in here though, and I wish I had a warning to look out for it. The conversion therapy was also pretty painful to read about.
And maybe this is something that will settle within me later, but the choice and reveal of Vivek/ Nnemdi dying because of Osita's overprotective nature and simply tripping on a rock, and not because of the dangers of the mobsters outside... I'm not sure I like the straightforward and simplistic message that comes with that very much. What Vivek did definitely was a risk and he knew it- it was a risk he was willing to take to live a life where he was free and true to himself. But isn't it reductive to reduce homophobia and transphobia especially in places like these to an individual choice to be rather than systemic violence and discrimination? Sigh. There is no way it could've ended happily for him. There is no way Osita could've acted to prevent this tragedy from happening ultimately. Maybe that's the saddest part that we needed to take away from this.
I am pretty excited to read Freshwater by the same author next. I heard it tackles themes of identity in a much less straightforward and more complex way with mystical elements as well.
rootyjoh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
sarahlukee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
dariamorgendorffer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sycamore123's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
colettepwr's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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
4.0
600bars's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVED this book. Broke my heart. If I could give half stars this would be a 4.5. I am only taking off a half star because I think there were slightly too many character perspectives and red herrings, like was the inclusion of that shop owners story necessary? I thought that was setting up a trans panic scenario but it didn’t come up again. Probably just to throw us off the trail but I didn’t get why because that was the implied narrative anyway. Just slightly too much going on when the main story was strong enough, would’ve been happy just hearing from Osita and Kavita.
Idk if I have ever read a story about a trans person that isn’t set in the US
Reminded me of cutting for stone (brothers), reminded me of the god of small things (twincest), reminded me of the association of small bombs (grief)
Crushing beautiful a treat to read
Idk if I have ever read a story about a trans person that isn’t set in the US
Reminded me of cutting for stone (brothers), reminded me of the god of small things (twincest), reminded me of the association of small bombs (grief)
Crushing beautiful a treat to read
ashlyra19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-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
kimisaboss123's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kyannarichard's review against another edition
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Akwaeke Emezi’s writing is what society would call “messy”. However, I find their writing to be quite special. It is refreshing to see an author write about the complexity of LGBTQIA+ relationships in traditionalist cultures. Emezi writes it in a way that both infuriates and shows compassion for the experiences of each character . Emezi writes in such a beautiful and heart-wrenching way that had me feeling all types of emotions towards the characters. From utter annoyance to frustration, and from compassion to love.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though the decision the main character makes at the end kind of upsets me. It raises questions and thoughts for the reader to consider.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Though the decision the main character makes at the end kind of upsets me. It raises questions and thoughts for the reader to consider.