Blessings set in Nigeria

Submitted: 31st August 2024

Blessings – Chukwuebuka Ibeh

Fifth in our literary travel week courtesy of the Wilbur Smith and Niso Smith Foundation who are currently shortlisting the titles up for the grand prize is..

Off to Nigeria we go!

Map of locations in Blessings

BOARDING PASS INFORMATION

Destination : Nigeria

Author guide:

Genre: fiction

Food and drink to accompany: nothing as your heart will be in your mouth

#Bookreview

A Nigerian teenager takes us through his difficult and confusing sexual awakening. Obiefuna is queer in a country where it’s dangerous and illegal. His father reacts by sending him away to boarding school. The novel follows him as he navigates life as best he can. But imagine trying to be yourself in a world that doesn’t accept anyone who is deemed to be different. Imagine a world where you get the choice to live in a prison of hiding yourself away and acting someone else’s part. Or a world where you get to play yourself but society locks away your freedom.

Travel review:

A tough read. Out of all the books in the shortlist, this is perhaps the one that I thought I would have no connection to. However, that notion was soon quashed. This is the story of just trying to live your life and wanting to be left in peace, it’s a story about humanity and a story about growing up. So, I realised that we can all feel or at least empathise with Obiefuna’s situation to some degree.

The story is set in Nigeria but there are sadly countries all over the world where you can’t be yourself. It’s very raw and very sad but an important read. On a more general view, you get a good insight into Nigerian society.