Blessings

by Chukwuebuka Ibeh

'Chukwuebuka Ibeh's writing has a certain delicacy to it, so wonderfully observant, and so beautiful' Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

When Obiefuna's father witnesses an intimate moment between his teenage son and the family's apprentice, newly arrived from the nearby village, he banishes Obiefuna to a Christian boarding school marked by strict hierarchy and routine, devastating violence. Utterly alienated from the people he loves, Obiefuna begins a journey of self-discovery and blossoming desire, while his mother Uzoamaka grapples to hold onto her favourite son, her truest friend.

Interweaving the perspectives of Obiefuna and his mother Uzoamaka, as they reach towards a future that will hold them both, BLESSINGS is an elegant and exquisitely moving story of love and loneliness. Asking how we can live freely when politics reaches into our hearts and lives, as well as deep into our consciousness, it is a stunning, searing debut.

Genres: Fiction, LGBT, Queer, Literary Fiction, Africa, Nigeria, Contemporary

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I often think of how much love is lost as gay kids grow up. We are robbed of the chance to experience the innocence of early teenage love. Because you spend all that time filled with fear, mastering your own pretence."

This is a sad book. It is almost afraid to give hope in the end. As a coming-of-age story of a gay man in Nigeria, it shows the difficulties of discovering who you are when you are forced at every turn to hide and negate what you feel. It is somehow an old story that many gay people have lived. It is a common past that the LGBT community shouldn't forget, especially since it is still present in places like Nigeria.

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

”It’s one thing to love a child, but it’s an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved. A home is the last place a child should feel conditionally loved.”

I’ve read quite a few books set in Africa, especially in Nigeria (The Death of Vivek Oji being the best known) and I really loved the setting of all of these books. Therefore I couldn’t wait to read Blessings, about a gay Nigerian teen, a dancer, who is banished to boarding school when his dad witnesses an intimate moment between his son and another boy. This story is not only about Obiefuna though. It’s also about his mom Uzoamaka, who doesn’t understand why her son is suddenly send away.
 
Blessings is a powerful, tender and sometimes harsh story about love and acceptance set just before Nigeria criminalizes same-sexs relationships. It’s about wanting to be free, but needing to hide at the same time.

I loved the lyrical writing and the cadence of this debut novel. Whenever I wasn’t reading, I couldn’t wait to be back with Obiefuna and Uzoamaka, they both pulled at me like magnets. I had one wish though, that this novel would have been a little longer, like fifty pages or so. I loved the last part, but also think it was too short. It left me longing for more. That’s why I rounded my 4.5 star rating down to four. But overall this debut impressed me and I can’t wait to read more by Chukwuebuka Ibeh.

Thank you so much, Doubleday Books and NetGalley for this wonderful story! And I love the cover!

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[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I thought this book was okay! Blessings definitely contains important themes related to navigating queerness, femmephobia, and alienation in an oppressive family and greater society. I found the prose in the first half of the book a bit heavy and monotonous at times, though that may have stemmed from the realistically-portrayed, ongoing homophobia happening in the main character’s life. The story seemed to open up more and gain more momentum in the last 100 pages when our protagonist Obiefuna meets a man named Miebi. All in all, some interesting and poignant scenes related to gayness, family, and being true to yourself, even if I didn’t entirely love the book’s execution.

[luce (cry bebè's back from hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

How ridiculous, how callous and absurd to expect perfection from a child.

Blessings is a debut novel delving into emotionally resonant themes. However, it falters on a ‘technical’ level. The result is a novel that lacks cohesion and is hampered by major pacing issues. While the author’s prose occasionally achieves a delicate balance between restraint and intimacy, it often stumbles over clunky sentences and stilted dialogues. Nevertheless, given that this is a debut, it is by no means a poor effort.

Set in Nigeria, from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, Blessings recounts the lonely and brutal coming of age of a gay young man, first at a Christian boarding school and later as a university student. Most of the novel details his experiences at the boarding school, honing in on the unforgiving hierarchies operating within it, where senior students wield power through physical and psychological intimidation. We first encounter Obiefuna, our protagonist, before his ‘exile’, when he’s still in Port Harcourt where he lives with Anozie, his disapproving father, Uzoamaka, his supportive mother, and Ekene, his younger brother, who, unlike Obiefuna, seems to effortlessly blend in with other boys, embodying ‘masculinity’ with ease. To avoid his father’s anger, Obiefuna has already begun to deprive himself of doing what he likes, for instance, he no longer dances, something he once loved doing. Yet, the arrival of Aboy, a boy around Obiefuna’s age who becomes his father’s apprentice, makes known, to both son and father, what had until then been a ‘suspicion’. As punishment, Anozie sends him to a boarding school, and Obiefuna has no choice but to acquiesce. Uzoamaka is left in the dark, and although she is told that Obiefuna is leaving home willingly, she knows that not to be true.

At the boarding school, Obiefuna struggles further with his sexuality, unsure of his feelings but aware of the shame and potential danger it poses. During his first year there he finds himself growing attached to a senior student, someone with a sadistic streak, capable of both affection and humiliating punishments. Under this guidance, Obiefuna learns to perform an accepted masculinity, straying further from his sensitive nature. Although Obiefuna eventually finds himself entangled with other boys, the furtive nature of their sexual encounters deepens Obiefuna's internalized homophobia. Authoritative figures at his school, like the chaplain, compound this notion of sexual pleasure as sinful, particularly when it deviates from the accepted heteronormative norms.

Intercutting Obiefuna’s grueling experiences at the school, we have chapters centered around his mother, Uzoamaka. She knows that her husband is not telling her the truth about the circumstances leading to her son’s enrolment in a boarding school, but Anozie refuses to tell her the truth. Their marriage is tumultuous, yet, although Uzoamaka chafes against Anozie's domineering nature, and stands up for her sons, she doesn’t have a lot of options besides to remain with him.
Several aspects of the novel's narrative structure could be improved. The ‘dual’ storylines, for instance, felt mishandled. If Uzoamaka’s chapters had focused on the early years of her marriage, and Obiefuna’s childhood, this would have made both her character and her marriage more well-rounded. Her bond with her son also could have had more room to shine. A focus on the past would have given the characters much-needed history, given that a lot of the time they come across as somewhat one-dimensional. It would have also added a layer of tension, and unease, given that, like Obiefuna, who is stuck at a boarding school, we wouldn’t know what was going on back home, and we would have experienced several reveals alongside him. Instead, we get these present-day chapters that are very repetitive in what they reveal about Uzoamaka. There is a plot point here that is portrayed in a way that lacks the emotional punch it should have had. If this had happened off-page, so that we only learn about them once Obiefuna is finally allowed back home, it would have been more emotionally resonant.

Obiefuna’s chapters themselves are repetitive, focusing on friction with other students – one abusive, another using him, and one betrayed by him. Although realistic, there was something slightly predictable about the way that he is shown to participate in the bullying of a fellow student. Sure, we can understand that to ensure his own self-preservation he takes part in this violent episode, but, the way the narrative depicts this and later on expounds on this scene, felt overstated, and adhered to a rather moralistic, lessons learnt, understanding of human nature. Besides that, these chapters revealed little about Obiefuna himself. The initial chapters set in the school give us an insight into the ruthless social hierarchies of the place, foreshadowing Obiefuna's need to protect himself from being 'known' in the upcoming years. And yet, the following chapters reiterate this to an excessive degree. Not only that, but the depiction of Obiefuna’s experiences at the school felt strangely myopic. In chronicling Obiefuna’s boarding school years, these chapters fall short as they neither provide a detailed portrait nor offer a comprehensive overview of this period of his life. Instead, they present a limited zoom-in, narrowing on a specific aspect of his experiences during that time. We learn little of his studies, of his teachers, and of his friendship with two other students, who remain little more than names on a page.

The final segment of the novel feels like it belongs to a different novel altogether, bringing to mind The Human Zoo by Sabina Murray(whereas the earlier chapters felt closer to An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon). A time-skip prevents us from seeing Obiefuna's character development firsthand, making this 'new' version of him feel like a different person. Yet, it is here that the novel presents us with more interesting character dynamics, as Obiefuna becomes part of a group of old friends, presenting him and us with different perspectives of queerness and love in conservative Nigeria. The contrast in tone between their early get-togethers—where they talk politics as well as chat about their past and present relationships—and the aftermath of a law criminalizing homosexuality (banning gay unions, lgbtq+ gatherings), is sobering. I wish this section hadn't been condensed into such a brief span, as there that proved far more compelling and nuanced than the somewhat dry, schematic chapters giving a partial account of Obiefuna’s school years. This part of the novel, featuring an adult Obiefuna, could have easily been expanded. Doing so would have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of Obiefuna's relationship with his father and brother.

Despite tackling compelling themes, Blessings makes for an uneven reading experience. The pacing consistently fluctuated between being sluggish and hurried, the mother-son dynamic was overshadowed by repetitive scenes that contributed little nuance to either the characters or their storylines, and the writing occasionally felt unsteady.

Nevertheless, the narrative does portray the far-reaching consequences of bullying on both victims and bystanders. It also delves into the loneliness, alienation, and dangers of homophobia, be it in personal relationships or on a broader societal scale.

[Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blessings, the debut novel by Chukwuebuka Ibeh, tells the poignant and heart-wrenching story of Obiefuna, a young gay boy growing up in Nigeria who must navigate the complexities of his identity in an increasingly oppressive society. Sent away to a boarding school by his father, Obiefuna grapples with the challenges of fitting in and concealing his true self, all while his mother endures her own struggles, longing for her son's presence. Ibeh's narrative offers a slice-of-life portrayal that is both immersive and deeply affecting.

I thought the writing in Blessings was both effortless and captivating, and fully pulled me in to Obiefuna's journey. Ibeh's prose isn't showy or flowery, yet it carries an elevated quality that impressed me, especially for a debut novel.

Obiefuna, the central character, is well-developed and compelling, making him easy to empathize with despite the challenges he faces, particularly in comparison to his athletic younger brother Ekene. There were some vivid and often difficult scenes of violence, especially those targeting gay boys at the boarding school, that highlight the conservative culture and the harsh realities Obiefuna must confront if his true identity is exposed.

The story made me sympathize with Obiefuna and his plight, while also containing moments of tenderness and hope. The themes of hope and forgiveness, as well as the quest to be one's true self in a world that refuses to accept that truth, mark this as a quintessential coming-of-age novel.

While the chapters focusing on Obiefuna's mother provide valuable context and emotional depth, they definitely felt somewhat less-developed compared to Obiefuna's story. Although her perspective adds another layer to the narrative, a bit more development in her chapters could have taken this book to the net level. But I also get that given the novel's primary focus on Obiefuna's journey, her chapters are secondary to the main storyline.

Blessings has been compared to works like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "Purple Hibiscus" and the film "Moonlight" which underscores its significance in exploring LGBTQIA+ themes in contemporary Nigeria. I'm definitely excited to see what Ibeh does next as this was a really impressive and engaging debut novel!

[BookOfCinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply moving, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time… Ibeh is a new voice in Nigerian literature that I can’t wait to hear more from!

Once I picked up this brilliant book, I could not put it down. In Blessings we are taken to Nigeria where we meet a family with two boys. Obiefuna is the first son for Anozie and Uzoamaka. He is a wonderful dancer, deeply sensitive not the boy that his vey pragmatic father hoped for. Their second son Ekene is a natural athlete, a boy’s boy and who the father hoped Obiefuna would become. While Obiefuna’s mom tries to shield him from the world and how brutal it can be. His father catches Obiefuna and a boy from a nearby village in a compromising situation and he sends him away to boarding school.

Being banished from his family and only home he’s ever known, Obiefuna must now integrate into a school with a rigid structure and boys who are waiting to devour newcomers. He must hide who he is to fit in, all while trying to figure out is identity. Back at home the family is in turmoil as the mother and father conflicted about the best way to raise their son. Is sending him away what was best? Or will it bring him to his ruin? Can the father live with his decision? Will the mother ever forgive the father for what he did to her son?

Blessings is told from the perspective of Obiefuna and his mother, Uzoamaka which gives us a deep understanding of how they both see the world and what is happening to them. I truly loved this book, it was tender, fresh, well-written and makes you care deeply for the characters and the choices they are faced with.

I want to say that this book is what I expected of An Ordinary Wonder but didn’t get. Blessings is a brilliant debut and I cant wait to read what the author writes next.

[enzoreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

déprimant mais si beau

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Blessings is a powerful coming of age novel. It’s set in Nigeria and features a boy, Obiefuna, who isn’t living up to the expectations of his father, Anozie. After witnessing an intimate moment between Obiefuna and another boy, Anozie sends Obiefuna to a boarding school. There, Obiefuna struggles to accept who he is while knowing for his safety he must keep it hidden.

The story also follows Obiefuna’s mother and that gives even more depth to his character. In some ways this is a quiet novel as it’s not plot driven, but instead the focus is on Obiefuna and his family. Heartbreaking and unflinchingly honest. Not knowing much about Nigerian history, it was an eye opener for me that when same sex marriages became legal here in the US, it had unintended consequences in Nigeria. The entire book is full of moments that stick with me as the writing really tapped into my emotions. The conversations between adult Obiefuna and his friends were particularly strong.

A young talent which makes me excited to check out future writings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh.

Thank you Doubleday for sending me a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.

[diamond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I didn't stop reading until the very last page. I just couldn't stop until I had consumed every last word. I can't wait for this book to come out - Queer Nigerians will especially relate to how Obiefuna felt.

Rooting for this book to achieve success!

[jocelyn • coolgalreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

i just devoured this in one sitting. such beautiful prose 😮‍💨

[Literatursprechstunde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Buchdebüt „Wünschen“ des Autors Chukwuebuka Ibeh ist 2024 bei S. Fischer Verlage erschienen. Hier erfahren wir die Lebensgeschichte des jungen Nigerianers Obiefuna, dessen Leben sich schlagartig ändert, als sein Vater herausfindet, dass er homosexuell ist. Obiefuna wird aus seiner Familie verbannt und begibt sich von da an auf eine nicht enden wollende Suche nach Verbundenheit.

Obiefuna strebt vordergründig nach Freiheit und Liebe. Dem Vater scheinen seine Wünsche nicht wichtig, wohingegen seine Mutter ihn stets unterstützt und auch seine Wünsche zu erfüllen versucht. Der gewaltbereite, autoritäre Vater schränkt die freie Entfaltung von Persönlichkeit und Geist seines Kindes ein. Er schiebt ihn in ein strenges christliches Internat im Süden Nigerias ab, als er ihn in einem intimen Moment mit einem anderen Jungen überrascht.

Im Internat ist er plötzlich sadistischen und sexuell getriebenen älteren Mitschülern ausgesetzt, statt der körperlichen Gewalt seines Vaters. Eine Überlebensstrategie ist notwendig, welche Obiefuna schnell entwickeln muss. Unauffälliges Verhalten ist das, worauf es jetzt ankommt. Weitere Selbtsicherheit gewinnt er aus dem Umstand, nicht der einzige Homosexuelle im Internat zu sein.

Er schlittert als Student in seine erste offizielle und scheint seinem Glück auf der Spur zu sein. Doch dann erlässt das nigerianische Parlament im Mai 2013 ein Gesetz, das gleichgeschlechtliche Liebe unter Strafe stellt. Obiefunas Partner Miebi hält dem Druck der Gesellschaft und seiner Familie nicht Stand und geht schließlich eine Ehe mit einer Frau ein. Dies treibt Obiefuna zu einer Rückkehr zu seinem dementen und alleinstehenden Vater.

Ibeh wählt einen allwissenden Erzähler und lässt uns nur Obiefuna als Figur richtig kennenlernen. Alle anderen Figuren spielen nur eine Nebenrolle. Als Leser fühlt man das Verlangen nach Liebe und Geborgenheit seines Protagonisten.

Mit seiner präzisen Wortwahl und Erzählstrategie führt uns Chukwuebuka Ibeh die Vergänglichkeit der zwischenmenschlichen Beziehungen in Obiefunas Leben vor Augen. Die Namen der Menschen, die in Obiefunas Leben eine Rolle spielten, sei es sexuell oder freundschaftlich, sind schnell vergessen. Ein berührendes Debüt, das Einblicke in die gesellschaftliche und politische Lage Nigerias der 2010er Jahre gewährt.

[Bine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 Sterne
Das war mal wieder so ein literarisches Buch, was gezeigt hat, dass man Literatur und trotzdem zugänglich sein kann. Obiefunas Geschichte hat mich sehr bewegt, weil sie so grundehrlich war. Ich habe immer wieder nach wiederkehrenden Figuren und Motiven gesucht, doch sie kamen nie. Es war einfach eine recht unaufgeregte Schilderung seines Lebens und trotzdem hat man diesen jungen Mann gefühlt, auch wenn er selber seine Gefühle kaum kannte. Ich bin sehr dankbar für unheimlich ehrliche Einblicke in moderne Alltagswelt eines schwulen Jungen in Nigeria, die teils so antiquiert wirkt und dann doch wieder so fortschrittlich. Dieses Buch ist kaum versöhnlich, viel eher anklagend und doch gab es ein rundes Ende, das mich mit Gedanken zurückgelassen hat, die das Buch für mich aufgemacht hat. Fand ich super, von dem Autor würde ich sicher noch einmal etwas lesen wollen!

[Brady Billiot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would’ve gladly read hundreds of more pages of this story. Im not super familiar with the culture of homosexuality in Nigeria and knew it was criminalized, but I was unaware of how recent that criminalization was enacted. I believe this is the 2nd Nigerian book I have read and so far they have both been great

[Mark Kwesi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those novels you don't want to end.

[Aoife Cassidy McM · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Upon finishing this book, an impressive debut novel/ Bildungsroman about a young Nigerian boy growing up gay in an ultra-conservative country, I looked up the author. He was born in the year 2000! An incredible talent to have produced such an absorbing read at a young age.

Obiefuna is a Nigerian boy who loves dancing and loves his mother, and is teased for his effeminate ways by his brother’s friends. When Obi’s father finds Obi in a clinch with his one of his apprentices, he sends Obi into exile, enrolling him at a strict Christian boarding school, hoping to shake him out of his ways.

At boarding school, Obi becomes consumed with keeping his sexuality a secret whilst simultaneously experimenting with boys who also have their own secrets to keep in what is a hostile environment for queer men.

As Obi grows up and moves into adulthood, Nigeria becomes more conservative and moves against the gay community by criminalising same sex relationships, forcing Obi into some difficult decisions.

This was an excellent read up to the 75% mark at which point it lost me somewhat. The last quarter of the book, while informative and interesting, was more telling than showing, with the prose lacking the subtlety and control of the earlier sections. I found the ending rushed and a little disappointing. A really good debut that needed just that little bit more finesse to make it really great, but still very much a worthwhile read. 3.5/5 ⭐️

*Many thanks to Viking Books for the arc via @netgalley. As always, this is an honest review.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became captivated by Obiefuna (the protagonist) quickly. His life felt so real. He had a tough conservative dad; a caring but traditionally subservient mom; a slightly younger brother who followed in his dad's footsteps better in the male role in Nigerian society. In Obiefuna, I saw myself. Character traits cross all borders and color.

I was happy every time Obiefuna found love, as each of these other queer characters were just regular human beings following their true-self, despite the harshness and rhetoric surrounding them.

Obiefuna received the sadly-typical "help" from: Dad; the church; girls; classmates; family - yet you hear his true happiness prevail when he was with a boy. Obi's first crush/love with with an apprentice named 'Aboy' coming to work for his father.

I seemed as if, with Aboy, Obiefuna's life had finally begun, a life he had been waiting to live.

His dad sends him to a seminary school (punishment) where he learns:

It's just a game. Evey boy should have a girlfriend.

Friends were made here that could not be told his truth, but there were other classmates in Obiedfuna's same role. Anyone that was 'found out' received a punishment I felt was soon to come to Obiefuna as he walked a very fine line. He struggled, but learned more about real love:

This was the poignancy of two people who were beginning to fall in love; people who could derive satisfaction just from looking at each other.

Obiefuna's mom, Uzoamaka, 'knew' why her husband, Anozie, sent him to seminary school, and why Obiefuna had to stay at an aunt's house on school break per Anozie's dis-allowance for him to come back into their house. But time allowed Uzoamaka to confront Anozie better:

"Frankly, Anozie, I don't care how you feel. At the end of the day there's only one person truly suffering here and it's not you - or me."
"But he's my son," Anozie said, the tone of his voice falling to match hers. "It's my job to be tough on him."
"A child does not scald his palm with burning coal placed on it by his chi," Uzoamaka said. "You have to know when you start playing God, Anozie."

The wisdom of Obiefuna's mom comes through beautifully a few paragraphs later...

It's one thing to love a child, but it's an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved.l The boy is young. He'll get a lot of 'buts' in his lifetime. A home is the last place a child should feel conditionally loved.

Obiefuna truly liked and appreciated girls, but:

He just wished she understood that it was not in the way she wanted.

A relationship that begins with intimacy instead of sex was beautiful later in the book as both Obiefuna and his new boyfriend both are initially cool with simply kissing and 'being a make-out guy'.

M: I'm weird, I know.
O: I guess I'm weird, too.

Obiefuna's more mature feelings are exquisitely conveyed:

All along Obiefuna had never felt like he was searching, but with Miebi he felt the peculiar relief of having finally found. All those long years of stumbling uncertainty, and there was Miebi, with his kind, trusting eyes, his easy manner, his soft and earnest way of speaking.

Obiefuna finds a small queer group that can talk with each other openly. It was great new to hear the USA defeat the DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) as unconstitutional toward LGBT. But Nigeria's pendulum swing was to pass a new law officially criminalizing same-sex unions. 14 years in prison awaits those found (in southern Nigeria where they were heavily Catholic), whereas in the north, it was death by stoning.

I greatly liked how it seemed that everyone quietly knew who was queer that surrounded them on a daily basis. And these queer people tended to be highly trusted and secretly liked by many respected people. But everyone that was pressed to verbally state their thoughts always conformed to the safe homophobic statements that would keep themselves off any government suspicion list.

This book feels like a VERY real memoir. Where will all this hatred in Nigeria toward their ever-present queer community lead them? Fully half of the continent of Africa has similar stoning/imprisonment laws for this purely naturally occurring group of human beings.

Easy 5*

[Darryl Suite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking yet hopeful. A totally engrossing read that cuts deep.

More to come.

[Darkowaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

review on book blog: https://africanbookaddict.com/2024/04...

My chest. My heart!

Just as much as my heart raced while reading Blessings, Ibeh endlessly repeats throughout this novel just how often Obiefuna- the main character, notices his own heart constantly beating against his chest – either out of fear, guilt, love, joy or pain.

This coming-of-age novel offers incredible nuance… and pain. There are quite a few characters to keep up with, but Ibeh’s level of detail and care for each character doesn’t make the reading experience arduous. Experiencing Obiefuna come into boyhood & manhood is a bittersweet journey. His experiences in secondary school were so typical of African boarding schools: traumatizing, maddening and rewarding- with the friends he made. His life in university felt a little less traumatizing, but so unfair in the end.

Uzoamaka – Obi’s Mom, is really a secondary character. To me, her role in the book, albeit a joint sorrowful and joyful one, was simply to portray her unconditional love for the son she ultimately regarded as a blessing. They had a sweet, tender relationship. I just wish her storyline was a bit more interwoven with Obi’s. When they were not interacting, it felt like her storyline didn’t really have much to do with the overall plot of the book.

What struck me most were the internal struggles Obiefuna faced when coming to terms with his sexuality; the deep regrets, the pain of simply being. Pain plays a huge role in this book, in my opinion! I found myself wanting to quickly finish the book just to relieve myself of the paaain! Ibeh’s writing hooks you from the first page to the last. I definitely see Chimamanda Adichie’s influence on his writing. It’s brave, measured, calm and exact.

While I loved this book, I did find the last chapters a bit didactic with the characters’ conversation around the 2014 anti-gay bill in Nigeria. I felt the characters were a bit cliché with their takes… I wanted a bit more there. It breaks my heart that Ghana is still pressing to pass an equally harmful, stupid anti-gay bill. It’s completely upsetting.

◊◊

My favorite characters were:

- Jekwu & Wisdom – Even though they didn’t really know Obiefuna fully, they somehow grounded him and offered him an awesome brotherhood.
- Sparrow – Whew… my heart bleeds for him and I respect him so, so much. His character made me wonder: why do we tend to respect folks who don’t snitch? It’s painful to bear certain consequences alone, and Sparrow’s character really embodied this dilemma I just questioned.
- Miebi – I liked the comfort he provided Obiefuna during university… but the trajectory of his storyline made him appear a bit phony in my eyes. Great guy though (?).

Characters I hated:

- Senior Papilo – Whenever I saw this character’s name on the page, I felt sick to my stomach. He’s a terror, a sadist, an abuser/groomer and a piece of shit.
- Senior Kachi – He’s a hypocrite, a user; another piece of shit.
- The Chaplain – Sigh… this man is a fear-monger, yet suffering the same things he preached against. Tragic.
◊◊

Congrats to Chukwuebuka Ibeh on this brave work. Given the African continent’s irrational and dangerous stance on same-sex relationships, I wonder if this book could have been originally published in Nigeria and not the US/UK. Food for thought…

This is definitely a 4.5 stars read!

[Emmeline]

I don't want to be mean about this book, as the author is just 24, the topic has potential, and I'm not the right reader for it.

But it's simply not a mature enough manuscript and reads like a classic exercise in box-ticking. A few more drafts might have helped.

[Amy Quichiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAWLING MY EYES OUT AT 1:45 AM. LIFE CHANGING.

[Paperback Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story.
This was amazing for a debut - the storytelling is insightful and the emotional depth is particularly something else.
Such a poignant narrative that explores how individuals can navigate life’s challenges while remaining anchored in hope..
The writing did feel kinda 'off' after around 80% though, with several characters introduced rapidly and long dialogue, but that said, I'd love to read more by this author.

[Петко Ристић · Rating 1 out of 5]

Als ich das Buchrücken dieses Werks in einem Bücherschrank entdeckte und danach griff war mein Motiv zunächst zu sehen, was das für ein afrikanischer Name ist der hier etwas über seine Wünsche schrieb. Als ich dann ferner das "Cover" sah erkannte ich sofort in welche Richtung das Buch geht und worum es handelt. Ohne auch nur das Buchrücken durchzulesen entschied ich mich, es mitzunehmen und mein Gemüt im Dunstkreis der literarischen Moderne zu erquicken.

Ich wüsste indessen nichts zu diesem Buch zu sagen was nicht bereits jeder der die heutige Welt kennt ahnen kann, folglich ist eine Rezension hierzu im Grunde überflüssig. Und doch vermag man kaum einige Worte eines halbwegs gesunden Menschenverstandes hierzu zu unterdrücken, zumal man es mit einem zeitgenössischen und nigerianischen Baldwin zu tun hat, nur dass der junge Ibeh überraschenderweise mehr zu sagen hat und es auch redegewandter rüberbringt; sehr viel weniger Plumpheit als bei seinem amerikanischen Vorgänger, gleichwohl dieselben, niederen Motive.

Den Inhalt braucht man gewiß nicht lange zu erörtern. Alles was man wissen muss steht hinten auf dem Buchrücken und es bietet eben genau das was man erwarten kann; die Hauptprotagonisten leiden, der eine weil er unbedingt seine sexuellen Neigungen öffentlich ausleben will, die andere weil sie aufgrund diverser Umstände krank wird. Ein Entwicklungs- oder Bildungsroman zeitgenössischer Art also, gleichsam lässt sich keine Spur von einer Entwicklung finden, dafür sehr viele Gelüste und der äußerliche und innerliche Kampf gegen die Unterdrückung derselben. Nigeria ist bekanntlich kein Ort wo man gerne Männer beim Analsex zuschauen möchte, geschweige denn bereit ist zu tolerieren, wie der eine Mann den Penis des anderen in den Mund nimmt. Soweit so klar.

Doch worum geht es dem nigerianischen Jüngling mit seinen geschriebenen Wünschen, dessen Prosa an manchen Stellen übrigens überraschend eloquenter ist, als es sich für ein zeitgenössisches Buch geziemt? Aufklärung natürlich, doch welcher Art? Nun der Leser soll wissen wie z.B. Obiefuna neben Aboy im Bett lag, dessen Erektion in seinen Unterhosen er an seinem Oberschenkel spürt und wie ihn diese Tatsache in Ekstase versetzte. Wie er fürderhin seine rauhen Lippen und Wangenknochen streichelte und wie Aboy diese Liebkosung natürlich bemerkt hatte, aber aus Angst vor seiner Umgebung unterdrücken musste.
Die paar Wenigen nun, die die Weisheit der Götter herbeirufen, sollten wissen, dass dies nur die Spitze des Eisberges ist. Später gehen die sexuellen Neigungen und emotionalen Gelüste erst richtig los.

Was dann darauf folgt sind naturgemäß oft Drama und Leid, denn man ist schließlich in Nigeria. Dadurch soll insbesondere der westliche Leser darüber aufgeklärt werden wie schwer und schlimm es für Homosexuelle ist ihre Gelüste verheimlichen zu müssen, da die ignorante Umwelt eben einfach nicht verstehen will wie ein Mann den Anus eines anderen Mannes mit seinem Penis begehren kann. Diese Sphäre glaubt, ganz närrisch wie sie ist, ein Penis gehöre, zumindest sexuell gesehen, in die Vagina einer Frau und sonst nirgends. Wirklich töricht.

Ferner soll man verstehen, wie schwer es für Homosexuelle ist ihre Gelüste und ernsthaften Absichten ihren Eltern gegenüber zu äußern. Ja nun, das versteht sich in Nigeria von selbst, wer soll dadurch aufgeklärt werden? Aufgeklärt soll der Leser aber auch über folgendes werden; es ist in Nigeria grundsätzlich und generell nicht leicht zu überleben, da überall offen Korruption, Elend und Gewalt herrschen. War im Westen noch jemand vor dem Erscheinen dieses Büchleins hierüber im Unklaren gewesen oder ist noch jemanden Nigeria's tragische Geschichte ein Rätsel geblieben?

Die Ausbeutung und Zerstörung Nigerias durch die Briten ist hinlänglich belegt, gleichsam auch der für den natürlichen Geist der mittelalterlichen Nigerianer verheerende Einfluss des Islam, den die Araber zu früh über die Sahelzone, wo man übrigens die Überreste des Sahelanthropus entdeckte, ins Land brachten. Die politischen Zustände des Landes die der junge Ibeh zum Schluss in einem Essay hier anprangert wären dann vermutlich nicht vorhanden. Doch all diese Entwicklungen beeinflussten die nigerianische Bevölkerung insoweit, dass sie sich ganz notwendig so entwickeln musste wie sie es dann tat. Hätte man Afrika generell seine natürliche Entwicklung gelassen, ohne die Einwirkung von außen, wäre der Zustand des Kontinents und seiner Bevölkerung heute eine gänzlich andere, viel Natürlichere und daher weniger Verfallende.

Dem Shooting Star Ibeh geht es aber zuvorderst darum seine Homosexualität ausleben zu dürfen: er will "blasen", er will "bumsen" und bitte ohne dass einer kommt und fragt, wieso in aller Welt er diesen Wunsch hat. Seine Hauptfigur ist nämlich er selbst und reflektiert seine Erlebnisse. Doch die Hoffnung, dass Nigeria irgendwann für seine Gelüste Verständis entwickelt, hat Ibeh, mutig wie er ist, nicht aufgegeben und deswegen zeigt er auch, wie das bewerkstelligt werden kann, indem er Obiefuna später in eine quere Gang schickt, mit denen sie dann die oben genannte Aufklärung betreiben können während sie gleichsam feuchtfröhlich den Anus des jeweils anderen zweckentfremden.

So meine Freunde, geht große Literatur!

[Inma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Con este libro viajamos a la Nigeria de los años 90 para conocer la historia de una familia. Anozie y Uzoamaka tienen su primer hijo, Obiefuna, después de una larga espera. Uzoamaka lo protege con todo su amor, mientras que el padre, marcado por el alcohol y el juego, mantiene una distancia emocional. Años después, llega Ekene, el hermano menor, con una personalidad completamente opuesta a la de Obi.
❤️‍🩹Obi crece como un chico introvertido y sensible hasta que aparece Aboy, el hijo de un conocido que viene a trabajar en la tienda familiar, que cambiará su mundo. Entre ellos surge un sentimiento desconocido para Obi, un anhelo de algo más. Sin embargo, cuando su padre sospecha lo que ocurre y presencia algo, toma una decisión drástica: enviarlo a un internado cristiano.
🏳️‍🌈A partir de ahí, la vida de Obi se convierte en un viaje de autodescubrimiento y lucha interna. Busca su lugar en el mundo pero en el camino se encuentra con relaciones que le hacen más daño que bien, con personas que le quieren de manera equivocada y con una sociedad que le obliga a ocultar su verdadera identidad. Mientras, en su país se endurecen aún más las libertades individuales prohibiendo las relaciones homosexuales y es entonces cuando el miedo y la represión se convierten en las sombras de Obi, que lleva toda su vida fingiendo ser alguien que no es y no ve un futuro mejor. Tristemente, aún hoy existen regiones donde amar a alguien del mismo se*o puede costar la vida.
📣No quiero contar más porque merece la pena descubrir esta historia por uno mismo. 𝘈𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘴 no es solo el título, es el hilo conductor de la novela: los deseos reprimidos, el amor y el desamor, el despertar se*ual, las relaciones tóxicas, la soledad y la lucha por ser uno mismo en un país que silencia a quienes se atreven a desear.
Un debut brillante para el autor, con una prosa que atrapa y emociona.

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful intimate prose, this was such a lovely read.

[Papillon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real rating: 3.75

This book is depressing as hell.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich liebe junge Stimmen so sehr. Das ist ein Debüt von einem im Jahre 2000 geborenen Menschen, das Talent ist insane.
Ich habe die Hauptfiguren dieses Buches ganz tief in mein Herz geschlossen, umso schwerer waren einige Passagen zu ertragen. Das schwierige aufwachsen in einem zutiefst queerfeindlichen Umfeld, dann die Hoffnung und das Glück, die entstehen, als Obiefuna als Erwachsener einen queeren Freundeskreis und Partnerschaft findet, waren allein schon eine emotionale Reise.
Und dann kommt erst die katastrophale politische Situation dazu, als 2014 nach der Legalisierung der gleichgeschlechtlichen Ehe in den USA Nigeria Homosexualität als illegal erklärt und unter eine Gefängnisstrafe von 10-14 Jahren stellt. Das wusste ich vorher nicht und die realen Leben, die davon betroffen und zerstört wurden, werden in den unterschiedlichen Figuren des Buches sehr berührend dargestellt.
Fazit: jede*r sollte das lesen.

[Jonathan David Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read very few queer coming of age stories like this, that capture my attention in this way. Beginning with the story of young Obiefuna’s birth, and following him through childhood, exile from his own home by his father due to his sexuality and subsequent time at a religious boarding school— we are taken on an emotional ride that examines what it means to be a queer Nigerian. Blessings offers a glimpse at a society that is often brought up in conversations regarding anti-LGBTQ+ policy, but the voices of those who are impacted are rarely given the same shine. This story is gorgeous, incredibly tender, and vulnerable. The characters are imperfect— human. And I am left wanting more. But I appreciate what this story offers us, and hope for more like it.

[Kat]

I read this was book was "Moonlight meets..." and it was so over already, immediate need to buy and swallow this as soon as possible

[s. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"it's one thing to love a child, but it's an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved."

what chukwuebka ibeh has accomplished in his debut is something most authors could only ever dream of—and he did it in under 300 pages.

blessings follows a young boy as he navigates the complexities of his sexuality in a world that seems determined to deny him any sense of belonging. from the very beginning, i was drawn to his struggles and his deep yearning for love and acceptance.

what struck me most was how human this story feels. it's not just about identity, though that’s a significant part of it. it’s also about the universal desire to be seen and loved for who we truly are.

i can't believe this is a debut and i can't believe i didn't read it sooner.

➵ 5 stars

[Ireland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, I found myself waiting for the perfect conclusion, for everyone to be happy and for all the world's problems to be resolved, no matter how complicated. Better than any cheerful, ideal ending, Ibeh gives us reality.