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A review by thewordsdevourer
Here Again Now by Okechukwu Nzelu
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
here again now is a beautifully written novel whose themes of love and masculinity are skillfully, tenderly explored, one in which i also nevertheless find unsatisfying bc of loose ends and plot points that are left inconclusive and ever evasive.
while i get what nzelu's trying to do, imo the story's structure and various interspersing timelines can be distracting and not as effective as i think the author hopes them to be. the book could be more trimmed as well; the current languid pacing, esp in the first half, often makes reading it a drudging task to trudge thru. i also dont quite wholly empathize w/ some of the characters, particularly ekene whose characterization and reasons for action baffle me at times.
the novel, its characters and themes are painted w/ a tender hand and oft heart-tugging writing, but would've benefited from a more solid foundation and tied up loose ends.
while i get what nzelu's trying to do, imo the story's structure and various interspersing timelines can be distracting and not as effective as i think the author hopes them to be. the book could be more trimmed as well; the current languid pacing, esp in the first half, often makes reading it a drudging task to trudge thru. i also dont quite wholly empathize w/ some of the characters, particularly ekene whose characterization and reasons for action baffle me at times.
the novel, its characters and themes are painted w/ a tender hand and oft heart-tugging writing, but would've benefited from a more solid foundation and tied up loose ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, and Medical content
Minor: Body shaming