The Death of Vivek Oji cover art

The Death of Vivek Oji

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About this listen

They burned down the market on the day Vivek Oji died.

One afternoon, a mother opens her front door to find the length of her son's body stretched out on the veranda, swaddled in akwete material, his head on her welcome mat.

The Death of Vivek Oji transports us to the day of Vivek's birth, the day his grandmother Ahunna died. It is the story of an over protective mother and a distant father, and the heart-wrenching tale of one family's struggle to understand their child, just as Vivek learns to recognize himself.

Teeming with unforgettable characters whose lives have been shaped by Vivek's gentle and enigmatic spirit, it shares with us a Nigerian childhood that challenges expectations. This novel, and its celebration of the innocence and optimism of youth will touch all those who embrace it.

©2020 Akwaeke Emezi (P)2020 Faber Audio Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking

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wasn't crazy about the make narrator at first but got into it. I loved fresh water more BUT this is also an enthralling book. and pleased to have somrhikg in a contect I can relate to.

I love Akaeke Emezi

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I loved this story. The performance was incredible and really brought the story to life. g
Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wow

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Adeola
I couldn’t stop listening as I wanted to hear everything single detail of the story. Akwaeke is such an incredible author and we are bless to witness such brave trans Nigerian stories being written about in our times.

Such a beautiful and necessary story

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Great story telling. But found it weird that he had sex with his cousin. I would understand if they never grew up together but they did. Technically that is incest.

Good story but very weird.

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loved the narration of this! very interesting and powerful story which was beautifully written!

interesting read

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I loved the sensitive telling of this story of awakening. The culture and danger of the society the characters lived in...riots.. gated communities... curfews, cultural differences ( from mine) were an important and interesting backdrop and foundation to understanding people's attitudes and behaviours . and how brave Vivek was on the light off this countries to follow his heart.
highly recommended

Beautiful story sensitively told

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Really enjoyed this book. Never heard of the author, just a recommendation from the New York Times, but i really enjoyed the story.

I enjoyed this story

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I love everything Akwaeke Emezi writes and this was no exception. It was a very dark read though.

Beautiful but upsetting

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I loved everything about this book. It was compelling, heartbreaking and beautifully written. The narration was superb. This is one of these books that stay with you. I would recommend it to anyone.

Utterly stunning

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Well-written. The descriptions are rich and vivid. The dialogue tense. Emotions leap from the page. I wasn't prepared for the relationship between Vivek and Osita but the lead up was skillful. It tended towards preachy at the end but I appreciated the differnce in opinions on sexuality across generations.

Skillful narration on a difficult theme

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