How Did They Die?!
The Death of Vivek Oji
Written by Akwaeke Emezi
Published August 4, 2020
We need more LGBTQ stories.
“They burned down the market on the day Vivek Oji died.”
That is the entirety of Chapter One. And from then on, you will be hooked by this gripping and heartbreaking novel.
Queer and gender variant, Vivek struggles through his adolescence with understanding his true self and then living his life authentically. Living in Nigeria where his sexual and gender identity are a danger to his safety, Vivek shines when he is in his bubble with his loving and supportive cousin and friends, but he hides himself from his parents and society. While we know that Vivek dies just when he is starting to come into his own, we chase the cause of his death in a series of chapters that constantly shift between character perspectives.
I couldn’t put down this elegantly written page turner. With a rich cast of LGBTQ characters, each one’s journey is tenderly and thoughtfully portrayed.
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