The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Blurb
Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives, foreign-born women married to Nigerian men.
But Vivek’s closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek’s escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom.
Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations—a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader.
My review
Vivek’s story is one that I’ll always be in love with because of its storytelling, and everything it represents. You’d think that this story would revolve around what led to Vivek’s death, but it didn’t. It’s about the effect of Vivek’s death on his family and friends.
The theme is centred around love, grief, queerness, and homophobia. One thing we can see throughout the book is Osita’s regret. Osita is Vivek’s cousin (and lover).
My major problem with this book is Osita and Vivek’s relationship — I hate the incest trope. In my opinion, the buildup of their relationship wasn’t strong enough for me. I just couldn’t see what they shared as more than a family-related bond. People have cousins they’re very close to all the time and not fall in love with them. I love what they shared as cousins but as lovers, not so much.
Another consistent thing throughout the book is the fact that everyone was grieving one thing or the other. After Vivek was realized to be his grandmother’s reincarnation, Vivek’s father (Chika) had his reservations about Vivek’s behaviour (and maybe sexuality), and that’s why he sent Vivek to military school to “toughen up”. In his grief, he became too hard on Vivek, which was so unfair because Vivek already had to put up with the fact that on his birthday, everyone was grieving his grandmother.
I really hated how Vivek’s “thing” was never addressed. Was it a mental disorder? Was it spiritual? Considering how Akwaeke writes, we’ll never really know.
Anyways, I loved the deep dive into how queer people are treated in Nigeria. It was so important to Vivek’s story because it was a lot to deal with; the homophobia, and representation of how queer people are treated through Vivek’s aunt, Mary. Mary’s ignorance represented the reality of a lot of Christians in Nigeria, and how they lose touch of humanity in their bid to serve God as their pastor directs it.
On the other hand, Kavita (Vivek’s mother), just wanted her son to be safe because she knew how queer people are treated. Her character went downhill so fast, mostly due to the loss of Vivek, but I think she could’ve handled it better. She felt so entitled to other people’s grief when it came to Vivek. She strongly believed they had no rights to cry or grieve him because she felt like as his mother, she owned him. I was so glad when Vivek’s friend, Somto, called her out on it.
Vivek’s friends. I love how he became his true self around his friends. Their friendship was true and they made him comfortable enough to embrace himself as Nnemdi around them. He needed that. Juju(Vivek’s best friend) was a really soft friend, but I hated how she and Osita tried to find “comfort” in each other after his death. Personally, I don’t think that’s okay but in the book, we read that Vivek is. So…
Vivek becoming Nnemdi was such a powerful move for himself. I was so glad that he felt that before his death. Vivek died so Nnemdi could live. All Vivek truly wanted was to be seen and accepted for who he was, and even if he didn’t get it from his immediate family while he was alive, he got it in death.
This book was just so beautiful, and I really recommend you read it.
PS: The way Vivek dies will break your heart. Brace yourself!