Vivek was meant to be a shining beacon in his novel. He was there, but it didn’t feel like there was much input from him other than the instance where he asked his cousin if he could watch him having sex with his girlfriend and him growing out his hair. What I didn’t understand about this element of the novel though, is why none of their friends challenge them? Is having sexual relations with your first cousin acceptable to these people?Īlthough this book is about Vivek and there are some minor snippets from his perspective, I found that he was somewhat lacking in presence in the story as a whole. As such, I couldn’t really get behind the crux of the story – their romance and their challenge to society’s views of it, why they feel the need to keep their sexualities, identities, and romance a hidden secret. I don’t see them as anything other than horribly wrong. Inter-familial relationships are a particular issue for me. Osita, Viveks cousin, and his developing relationship with him were one that I had particular difficulty with. I did struggle with some of the other relationships in the book, however. As one of the lead characters, I empathized with her situation wanting to keep her unwell son safe, and being unable to shelter him from the world forever. As an understanding but over-protective Mother swallowed by her grief her life becomes enveloped in her desire for answers. His mother, Kavita, is desperate to find out what happened to her son on the night he died and as she struggles to find out the truth behind her son’s secret life. The accounts of Viveks life are given through both his family and friends. A captivating novel about friendship and love in a coming-of-age and coming-out story that starts and ends in tragedy. The Death of Vivek Oji covers contemporary topics of identity and race in a daring, yet sensitive manner.

Set in South-Eastern Nigeria and told, mostly, through the eyes of those around Vivek, his family, friends, lovers, and strangers that thought they knew him. The Death of Vivek Oji follows family life surrounding the titular character, Vivek, and chronicles the events pre and post his death. I was brought a copy of this book by Bookstooge, in return for an artwork commission.

The death of vivek oji a novel