onemorebookpodcast's reviews
80 reviews

'The Death of Vivek Oji' by Akwaeke Emezi'

This was a re-read for me & am glad that I didn’t review it the first time that I read it. That was back when it had just come out & there was a lot of noise (good) around it. So I appreciated it even more now when the 'hype' is over.

The book follows the life of the recently deceased 'Vivek Oji', his childhood, a backstory into his parents' relationship before he was born, his friendships, his 'coming into his' sexuality, his demise & the effect of that on his loved ones.

I loved how simple the writing was, it made reading & following the storyline easy. I could also keep up with the characters & I appreciated the fact that the side characters were given side stories which weren’t too deep, that they would distract me from the main storyline.

I did not like 'Osita' at all. I kind of felt like I read more of him & his feelings than those of Vivek. He was giving 'Main Character' energy in a book that wasn’t about him. I also felt like he didn’t deserve the title 'Bhai' because he was never his brother's keeper. Everyone in the book was 'serving' him & his feelings in a way & I agreed with Elizabeth's judgement of his character. He got away with a lot. Anytime I got to his part, I was like, "Osita please get your own book!"

"God, when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage?"
A book first published in 1979 by a Nigerian author, scholar, wife (later divorced) & mother reveals a nuanced picture of motherhood that goes beyond the traditional narrative of joy & self-sacrifice that is shared in lots of cultures.

Right at the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Nnu Ego as she is literally running away from her life because fate has dealt her the worst hand possibly ever by taking away the one thing that gave her worth as a woman.

This book awakened in me a protectiveness for women & people born in female bodies that I never knew was lying dormant in me for so long. The 'age-old' conversation of idealizing 'Motherhood' as the pinnacle of female fulfillment is so needed in current times than ever especially in the current political & social climate. Motherhood is complex & not without its challenges so instead of forcing the never-ending harmful rhetorics on women, let us instead work on changing policies & perceptions sorrounding it as we seek to empower & stand in solidarity with women in whichever path in life they decide to take.

I read this book 20 years ago & it is still just as good now as then. It was part of the English coursework in High school & I had older siblings from whom I 'borrowed' it. I still remember reading about Okwonkwo & his wrestling prowess all across the 9 villages around Umofia, his ruling of his household with an iron fist, the oracle & its demands for sacrifices from the people, the invasion by the Colonialists (who first came disguised as missionaries) & the subsequent effects of this on the lives of the people of Igboland.

But reading this book now, I see the heavy hand of patriarchy that was considered 'normal' back then, the African culture which was just as oppressive on women, children & individuals that were considered weak as well as the exploitation done by the colonialists who were at first welcome & give space to practice their religion.

This book was, is & will always be a classic that should be read by everyone.

How can a book first published in 1970 exploring generational trauma, systemic oppression & the complex dynamics of existing as a black person in America still feel so fresh, like it was written today? It's a sad reality that we are still facing the exact same issues globally as people of color.

We are introduced to Grange Copeland, a poor black farmer in the South in a story that spans 3 generations which is divided into 3 parts; his life as an oppressed black man, his life as an absentee father after abandoning his family & later his life as a man seeking redemption in his later years.

What stood out for me the most in this book was the role of gender within the context of racial oppression. It is the women in this book; Margaret, Mem, Josie, Ruth who suffer the most from the men's frustrations & failures. It’s not enough that they too suffer in a racist society, there is an additional layer from within their own black community. The men who should be protecting instead take out their frustrations on their women through threats, intimidation & acts of violence.

Janelle & Rome decide to have a 'situationship' while in Tulum for Janelle’s sister’s wedding, who is getting married to Janelle’s ex-boyfriend (I know

Nwakaego, Zina & Eriife are 3 young women who were pre-destined to be friends from the get go, in a friendship that was somewhat inherited from their mothers & grandmothers. This book follows their multi-generational life journey as they navigate life in modern Nigeria, UK & in the US with the Author switching between the 3 POVs.

The book was an easy read & I enjoyed how the author gave us a variety in African women’s lifestyles; a lawyer, an actress, a doctor turned politician’s wife, this held my interest throughout it all. I have to admit that I was more drawn to Ego's story which I felt was the strongest of the 3, seeing also that it covers almost half of the book. Truthfully speaking I would have just been fine with her as the only storyline really. And I also loved how the author weaves in important themes like Racism in the US & UK, political instability in Nigeria & it’s effects on the economy & the day to day lives of its citizens, Abuse of power, violence against women, misogyny, cracks in educational, health & justice system in most African countries, power of social media in activism among others. I know that that sounds like a lot but mixed with the young women’s & their mothers' narration of their day to day lives, it helped the book stay 'palatable' IMO.

It is a great pick for a Bookclub & brought up interesting conversations. I will probably pick up the prequel book 'Tomorrow I become a Woman' to read about the grandmothers' stories.

Who would have thought that a book published back in 1966 & hailed as one of the first novels written by a Nigerian woman which explored the pervasive influence of patriarchy in African society could still ring true in our current lives.

Set in a traditional Igbo society we follow Efuru as she attempts to navigate, challenge, and sometimes succumb to the pressures of Patriarchy while also calling for the recognition of a woman’s worth beyond the narrow confines of marriage and motherhood. To me this makes Efuru a significant feminist text in African literature that I absolutely enjoyed & would highly recommend.

Prologue
'I entered Makerere University College in July 1958, subject of a British Crown Colony, and left in March 1964, citizen of an independent African state. Between subject and citizen, a writer was born. This is the story of how the herdsboy, child laborer, and high school dreamer in 'Dreams in a Time of War' and 'In the House of the Interpreter' became a weaver of dreams.'

This book is a history packed memoir of one of the leading writers & scholars at work in the world today. An artist with words who uses his pen to weave a story of liberation throughout Africa, a coming together of history in a journal form that not only enlightens but also entertains. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in African literature & the impact that it made in the fight against colonialism or just anyone who believes in the 'power of the pen

I don’t want to jinx myself but I would like to believe that Buchi saved me from my recent reading slump