The Death of Vivek Oji

Take special care if you decide to listen to The Death of Vivek Oji. Because the story takes place in southern Nigeria, the names of the characters require attention. Also, its written in Nigerian dialect, which provides the story an authentic tone, but requires, again, care upon listening. This is a special story that requires special attention to details. Saying that, I loved the story and the audio production. All the narrators are fantastic. The chapters are broken out with different narrators, each having their own impact and opinion on the life of Vivek. From the title, we know that Vivek dies. From the narrators, we learn how he lived. The mystery is what happened: how did he die? This is a coming-of-age story of a boy who struggles to find himself. His identity and sexuality which is not accepted in Nigerian society adds to his struggle. Author Akwaeka Emezi shows how young adults friends and peers become important in how they accept each others individuality. Emezi also shows how well-meaning parents and adults can be blinded by and unaccepting of what is right in front of their eyes. One of the biggest tragedies of the story is that everyone loved Vivek. Everyone thought they were doing what was best for Vivek, or honoring Viveks wishes. Author Emezis prose are beautiful. In one of Viveks narrations he states: Im not what anyone thinks I am. I never was. I didnt have the mouth to put it into words, to say what was wrong, to change the things I felt I needed to change. And every day it was difficult, walking around and knowing that people saw me one way, knowing that they were wrong, so completely wrong, that the real me was invisible to them. It didnt even exist to them. Although this sounds bleak, redemption and love find ways into the story. Although Vivek is dead at the beginning of the story, the reader gains love for him through the narrators. Vivek was kind and peaceful. Hes a character who will stay with me for a long time.

I have worked in Nigeria for over 30 years. This narrated book was a joy to my ears–the inflections, emotions, and colloquialisms. The characters all were so well developed orbiting around Namdi/Vivek. There was a richness to descriptions; I could see the scenes. This was a courageous book to write in an environment that does not accept anything different from the traditional, which is held onto tenaciously. Beautiful, flowing phrases. Palpable pain, sorry, guilt, confusion, frustration yet protectiveness, tenderness, compassion, and joy. I could almost see Namdi in her twirling dress being free, joyous to be her true self. This is an important story that speaks to how we kill the soul of others unwittingly. Thank you.

This is such a beautiful book. The narration was perfect. You obviously know from the beginning that Vivek dies, but the circumstances of his death still hit you in the gut. Its written from many perspectives, but manages to do so without confusing the reader. As you read the book, his mothers pain pulls on you and makes you feel her loss. Her desperation at not knowing the truth, and then realizing she knew even less than what she thought, was heart breaking. There is so much grief in this book, but it somehow manages to leave the reader feeling at peace. Theres a reason why this book has landed on so many recommended book lists.

This book was amazing. The narration was perfection. The story was gripping and gutwrenching. Beautifully told.

This book is breathtakingly beautiful. Akwaeke Emezi is a true visionary. I cringed, I smiled, I thought, and i cried. this book takes you on a much needed journey.

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