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A review by wemmyogunyankin
Lákíríboto by Ayodele Olofintuade
4.0
It was really beautiful to read a modern book with Yoruba infused so well and so prominently. And the way they mingled classic Nollywood style naija family drama, with fantastic symbolism was so good. I really enjoyed the explorations of mental health so we’ll interwoven with explorations of old magic and spirituality. In Nigerian pop culture, relationships with spirits are always something to be fixed by deep Christian prayer. That’s how it ends, God wins and therefore it’s a happy ending. The mad (always) woman is almost written out of her own story. This book challenged that so well.
And Olofintuade encapsulated so many of our shared childhood memories, challenged them, made us laugh with/at them too. The horrible uncle with the elaborate alagba, the mum who prays too much and too loudly, the cool sexy aunt who saves you every time, the light skinned cousin everyone treats different etc. Loved it.
My only wish is that the ending was more concrete for each character.
And Olofintuade encapsulated so many of our shared childhood memories, challenged them, made us laugh with/at them too. The horrible uncle with the elaborate alagba, the mum who prays too much and too loudly, the cool sexy aunt who saves you every time, the light skinned cousin everyone treats different etc. Loved it.
My only wish is that the ending was more concrete for each character.