Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi.

Set in Nigeria, Vivek Oji has turned up on this parents' doorstep, dead and wrapped in colorful fabric. There is no note, or indication of how he got there, save for a violent blow to the back of his head. What on earth happened to Vivek, and who is not saying anything?

Reading this was an interesting experience. I was totally into it the first third, totally zoned out the second third, and then dove right back in the last third. By the end my heart was aching and I was torn to shreds by this book. But having said that, I know that I missed details that probably would have made the impact a lot stronger.

This is such a multilayered story, with a TON of fodder for a robust bookclub. There is sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, friendships, romance, family secrets, and all in a book that isn't that long. It's a heavy read, be prepared, but it will make you feel all sorts of ways.

Incredible, heart-breaking and beautiful tale of one Nigerian boy's death and life, and his family's struggle to understand him. "The Death of Vivek Oji" is unforgettable.

Emezi has written a true work of art. Although it isn't a particularly long book, it took me a long time to read it because I felt I had to savor the beautiful language and storytelling. I highlighted so many passages in the ebook that I wish I had it as a paperback as well.

Where do I even begin? Perhaps the same way as Emezi begins her book, which is that Vivek's mother finds her son's body wrapped in layers of fabric in her home. The story that follows is a multi-POV telling of Vivek's life, one so misunderstood by those around him. It is a highly character-driven novel, very much about nonconformity in a society with strict unspoken rules. There are a number of difficult themes involved: violence, death, incest, domestic abuse, antagonization of homosexuality and gender fluidity.

There is no question that the author is an incredible writer, and that the story is an important one to tell. That's why I'm giving it 5 stars, even though I wasn't really ready for a story so heart-wrenching in the moment I read it. If you are prepared for a difficult yet vivid and unforgettable boo, this is it,

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a very long time which kept me awake late at night. Yes! The storyline, plot, setting, and characters are too gripping and engaging to keep the book aside.

As the title suggests, it's about Vivek Oji's mysterious death but the book doesn't talk about the process of dying or battling with it. On the contrary, the book is about his life, personality, and people around him.. It's also about Vivek's grieving mother who's trying to find an answer for her son's death: How and why? This is a heart-wrenching story of finding and accepting your own identity and trying to find a safe place among the people who are too ignorant or incapable of understanding something different.

The author highlights cultural and religious traditions, daily life routines, the conflict between clans, and intolerance in society. They focus on regressive beliefs of society and its impact on the lives of people who are not as per the "norm".

This is my first book from the author and I'm totally in love with their writing style. There's also a touch of Murakami's way of storytelling in this book. Looking forward to read their previous and upcoming books.
I strongly recommend this book to everyone as a must-read. This book will be an eye-opener to many.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Faber and Faber for an eARC to review in exchange for an honest review.

A highly impressive novel that will lure you in.
At the start the body of Vivek Oji is laid on his mother’s doorstep. We know Vivek will die but who was Vivek, what kind of person was he and why was his life cut short? This is the story of a man growing up in middle class community in Nigeria, an outsider trying to live the life he wanted facing intolerance and a lack of understanding. Akwaeke Emezi is a storyteller who has created some wonderful characters who are carefully drawn out as each one gives their thoughts and views on Vivek.
An astonishingly good novel - highly recommended.

‘Ugly things; ugly words. Calling them women, as if that’s supposed to be ugly, too’
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Wow. Wow wow wow wow wow. This book took my heart. All I can say is, Akwaeke Emezi, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for this absolute beauty of a novel
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An exploration of gender, sexuality and the effects it can have on both a family and a community. The Death of Vivek Oji is a coming out and coming of age story like none other I have read. A story of compassion and understanding that sometimes can get lost in the translation of grief, we learn very early on that Vivek has passed away, you don’t learn how just yet or why but as the story unfolds, you get glimpses of wonder and beauty whilst always holding on to the dread of what you know is round the corner for this deeply loveable character.
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Both raw and heartfelt in their writing, Emezi has painted a picture of sheer and utter beauty whilst laying destruction at the heart of it all. This story is one that will stay with me for a long time, I can’t recall enjoying a book this much for a while and can not recommend it enough!
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Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC and again, thank you Emezi for a truly wonderful book!

Perhaps the most stunning novel I’ve read this year. Heartbreaking from the first page (from the title, really), the writing sings and the changes in points of view and the clever unraveling of the plot made this one unputdownable. .

Beautiful. Heartbreaking.

The Death of Vivek Oji was such a powerful story. I loved the writing so much. The narrators were perfect and made me feel so many emotions. Even though Vivek’s death is expected, I felt sadness and teary-eyed towards the end. I highly recommend this book.

I don’t know how to start this review. It’s one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read. If you haven’t put this in your tbr list, please do and I can assure you emotions will be all over after you read this.

The Death of Vivek Oji, as the title itself, is a story leading to what happened - how and why he died. In the firs chapter, it tells you right away and as you read along, it shows more than what the title implies. Set in the 1990s in Nigeria where traditions and beliefs are more present, this book deals with how people look and perceive a person’s state of mind when they do not conform to what they know as normal. It will give you a deeper understanding of how to love differently, what it truly means to be happy and the sacrifices we do to achieve that little happiness.

But what truly gets to me as a mother, is the pain and anguish of losing a child you never knew. How do you feel their pain, to see their world as they want you to see it without judgement, to understand the emotional turmoil in coming out, the freedom of being their unique self and be respected as a human being. It is hard as it is being a parent in that situation but harder when you cannot express yourself and seek support from the people supposed to love and protect you.

“We can’t insist he was who we thought he was, when he wanted to be someone else and he died being the person”

This is my first book by the author and will look into her other works too.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020. I loved Emezi's other books, and this one was amazing as well. An emotional novel about grief, gender identity and sexuality. This gripped me from the start and I wanted to keep reading to figure out what was going on. And as their other books, the writing is excellent. Definitely a new favourite.

Enjoyable. The narrative felt as though it shuffled between two modes. The intimate story of Vivek and his immediate family (including friends) and then the wider story of the community as a whole. There's a lot of detail about secondary and tertiary characters that ultimately adds up to very little in terms of my reading experience. I felt strongest for the mother, though the book's sympathies seemed to lie elsewhere.

Wow. Loved this and I’m still tied up in knots about it! Where to even begin?! I adored both FRESHWATER and PET and now THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI, their third book, has just solidified that Akwaeke Emezi is firmly an auto-buy author for me!

The title tells us what to expect, but wow it was no less gripping and affecting learning how this outcome came to be. I don’t really want to spoil any of the story for you so I won’t share too many details but let’s just say it‘s hard to put down! Set in 1990s Owerri in Nigeria, sectarian tensions ramping up, it’s a layered examination of the feelings tied up with being queer and genderfluid, whether felt personally or by those around you. Ultimately, however any one person feels about it, it seems that the shared prevailing message is that it is not ok, or at least not safe, to be out and proud in Nigeria when you don’t conform. The actions taken all speak of this wider view of society, even as in this particular story, it all circles back to one individual’s personal shame and unacceptance.

I thought the characters were all memorable and stood out in their own way. I also appreciated how Emezi shared just enough of the socio-political influences and cultural beliefs to inform the story and provide nuance without going out of the way to either. The way everything tied up with the superstitions around Igbo naming traditions and reincarnation was so deftly done, the way cultural beliefs naturally inform the worldviews of those within communities living it. But it also made for such a symphony when tied into the plot of the story
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Another aspect I really enjoyed reading about was the Nigerwives, and what it can be like for non-Nigerian women who marry Nigerian men and then move to the country to live with them. It makes sense for a community to form and be a place of solace if so inclined, if personalities align, across generations. Within this context, it makes sense how the telling of the entire story strikes the perfect balance of being on the inside/outside. I remember reading more about Emezi’s parentage after reading FRESHWATER; they were born to and raised by a Nigerian Igbo father and Malaysian Tamil mother. In their acknowledgements too, homage was paid to the Nigerwives community they knew and friendships it gave them in their childhood in Aba.

The way the pronouns suddenly shifted in the later parts of the book was also nicely done. And at the end especially, it is telling of the turmoil felt by the narrator and perhaps where thoughts truly lay. What a read, I couldn’t help racing through it. Looking forward to whatever they write next!

An evocatively written coming-of-stage story set in Nigeria with an unfortunate death of the title character at its heart, The Death of Vivek Oji is melancholic and heartbreaking. In a society that views homosexuality as a taboo that sometimes even results in brutal murders, Emezi thoughtfully explores topics like gender dysphoria, assertion of sexual identity and parental grief on how to deal with a child that's different from others of his age in the society. Emezi's characters are memorably etched out, on whose strength her story stands, and her write evokes images of a Nigerian childhood to the unfamiliar reader. A fascinating book that will resonate with many readers this year.

Reading this book was like watching a flower slowly open up and bloom. Each layer I peeled off the top gave me more insight into the mystery of what lay inside, but each layer was also beautiful in itself.

The book is about Vivek Oji, but it is also about the people around him, the people whose lives were intertwined with his. It tells a sensitive story that reads a little bit like an 1800s family drama, but seamlessly integrates elements of life in Nigeria. It sets up character perspectives that help you piece together the mystery but simultaneously make you want to know more about the character themselves.

One of the best ways I can describe this book is "brave". Akwaeke Emezi tackles difficult themes - themes of love, family, home, guilt, redemption, sex and what it means to be LGBTIQ+ in Nigeria. When you read the book, even if you think the plot is starting to look predictable, you may well be surprised about what you find. In the end, this book reminds the reader that sometimes being afraid, being too careful, or caring too much, might be what hurts you the most.

I was given an electronic advanced reader's copy of this book from NetGalley and Faber & Faber Ltd in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Here are some of my favourite (non-spoilery) quotes from the book:

"That morning, she was wearing an orange cotton dress; she looked like a burning sunset, and Chika knew immediately that his story would end with her, that he would drown in her large liquid eyes and it would be the perfect way to go."

"If nobody sees you, are you still there?"

"Chika stayed downstairs, fielding the visitors who pressed sympathy into his hands until his fingers felt dead."

Loved the author's debut - less enamoured of this second effort, but eagerly awaiting whatever's next.

I didn't know anything about this book going in, other than that it was a highly anticipated novel, so the story unfolded in a really interesting way for me, transporting me to a country and a community (on so many levels) that I know almost nothing about. The story centers around a community of Nigerwives--who are foreign women married to Nigerian men and have chosen to stay in Nigeria and raise their kids there (albeit begrudgingly for some)--and their kids, whose lives are interwoven in various ways from early on, one of whom is Vivek Oji. It bounces back and forth between the aftermath of Vivek's death and the events and characters leading up to it, starting from before Vivek was born, told mostly in the third person but sometimes in certain first person perspectives. It may sound confusing, but it actually flowed very well, and you understand later on why the author wanted certain characters to develop a first person voice.

The author uses this community to explore so many aspects of life and human nature and human relations that speaks to those who have never set foot in Nigeria or Africa. They beautifully delve into a myriad of emotions and experiences, centering around the feeling of being "foreign," of conforming to societal norms and expectations (or not), of identity, purpose, and the many facets and layers and types of love. They pack a lot into the relatively short novel. The characters will stay with you long after you finish the story!

This was a solid 4.5 stars for me. What an eye opening book. It kept you wondering the whole time. I had an idea of what was going to happen, but it played out so well. Amazing book. It really opens your eyes about LGBTQ+ in other cultures. It was sad and heartbreaking. I liked how it was a story even though it opened with the typical "ending." Highly recommend. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Emezi's sophomore adult novel couldn't be more different from Freshwater - where their debut was a compelling and more slippery, hard to define story, The Death of Vivek Oji is a more straightforward and accessible read, telling the story of how a young Nigerian man's dead body ends up on his parents doorstep.

A tagline I've seen for this book is "What does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew?", and this made me consider what I believe is the key flaw with the narrative: as readers we too never properly get to know Vivek. The story is narrated by his cousin, Osita, and other friends and family members, with Vivek's contributions limited to very brief and vague interludes. Whether this was Emezi's intention I can't be sure, but it meant the gravity of what ultimately happens to Vivek and the emotional impact of events was all but lost on this reader.

On a positive note, I enjoyed the prose and the short, snappy chapters meant the book made for a past-paced read. It's just a shame that the way the story was told detracted from what the book was really meant to be about.

Hands down, this is one of the best books I have read this year. The writing is so simple, for this very complex story of love, family and friendship. Set in Nigeria, told through multiple narrators, a very nuanced story comes to life.

From the beginning we know Vivek Oji has died, but the mystery behind this death, is how or why? The story goes back and forth fluidly between, the days after Vivek died and years prior. Vivek has had an extremely complicated life that he has hidden from his parents, but as he gets more comfortable with himself, he surrounds himself with a group, that will do what they can to protect him.

This is a really hard book to write a review, because there is so many layers, and I want you all to have a wonderful reading experience and not give any spoilers. I will say, this is a book I was hesitant to pick up, but in the end this was meant to be, and I will be thinking of this book for a long time.

<I>the real me is invisible to them...if nobody sees you, are you still there?</I>

Vivek is the child of a Nigerian father and an Indian mother, and we learn from the very first sentence that he dies - but how? The novel lays down the final scene for us and then through multiple perspectives - but mainly those of Osita and Vivek - the reasons behind Vivek's tragic death finally unfold.

This novel is powerful. And a little confusing at first, since it jumps around a lot between now and before Vivek's death. But once you get into the narrative the story unfolds beautifully and it hits hard. The emotionally charged writing help to convey such a profound sense of grief and loss. The novel also highlights Nigerian perspectives around a variety of issues, without halting the flow of the narrative, it's all woven into the novel so well. This novel touches on issues of fertility and the woman's role, demonic possession and its use by people in addressing any issue they deem outside the norm, toxic masculinity and the male role in society...

In addition to this we learn the stories of a close friendship group. We learn about the perspectives around and explorations of gender within this group of young people, in a place where this is sadly still illegal, where such explorations of gender are suppressed and literally demonised. We see this when the use of exorcism for 'demonic possession' is used in response to behaviours deemed 'unnatural' and the result of demons. Gender variant people, we learn, are deemed mentally unwell, and are therefore dealt with accordingly, with no regard to the identity or humanity of the person in question.

Even though I went into this novel already knowing how it ended, it still left such an emotional impact on me when the full story was known. It left me feeling incredibly sad at the tragedy of it all. Such a powerful novel and by far the best I have read from Akwaeke Emezi so far.

CW: death, gender dysphoria, transphobia, incest, domestic abuse.

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

“The death of Vivek Oji” is a bitter-sweet story of a young man who's trying to find out who he really is. Vivek wants to understand his sexuality, he's struggling with a gender identity. He's overwhelmed by his emotions.

At the beginning he's confused but thanks to his friends Vivek is slowly finding a happiness and true self. He's finally accepted that he's “different” and that's ok. Still, he's keeping his secret from his parents, not wanting to disappoint them.

The book broke my heart more than hundred times. Emezi's writing is so powerful it takes over your body and soul. I just can't get over this book.

It shows there is still so much we need to learn as a society about acceptance. Being gay is still treated as a taboo, a disease or as being possessed.

Vivek's story shows that we often prefer to pretend that problem doesn't exist. Some of us are still following old traditions and believes. Seeing the changes in son's behavior, Vivek parents send him to church for a deliverance. They never try to find out what is the source of his mental breakdown.

Summarizing, it's a very important read and I hope it will get all the recognition it deserve. It's a true masterpiece.