review
And the caged bird will sing beyond death
Tragedy narratives are some of the most complex and compelling narratives in fiction. The premise is simple enough; the story begins with a great horror, and the rest of the book is a picture of the events before or after tragedy struck. With Akwaeke Emezi's third novel, The Death of Vivek Oji, the tragedy is already in the name. However, the greatest tragedy in this story is not Vivek's death, it is the unfortunate, soul crushing reality of their life. The book is a bold assertion, challenging the consuming despair we are told is our life and destiny as queer African people reeling from the many violences of being colonized people. There is death, yes, there is relentless terror; but there is also joy. There is also life.
25 • February 2022
Illustration by Rosie Olang
A REVIEW OF THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI BY WANINI KIMEMIAH
