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Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad: Stories
A collection of short stories, structured as case-studies, and a form of love letter in solidarity with the women who have survived romantic relationships with men in Lagos….it deftly analyses the various archetypes women are likely to encounter in the dating scene in the city – from serial cheaters, to mummy’s boys, from the ‘fake it till you make it’ adherents to the ones who can’t commit.
This book underscores with wit, humour, wisdom, and sensitivity the perils of trying to find lasting love and companionship in Africa’s craziest city that will prove universal and illuminating.
This book underscores with wit, humour, wisdom, and sensitivity the perils of trying to find lasting love and companionship in Africa’s craziest city that will prove universal and illuminating.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2024
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April 9, 2025
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Rating: 4 stars
'Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad' was a quick and enjoyable read, with twelve different drama-filled short stories.
Similar read: How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Besides the title, this simple design does not reveal much about the book's contents, but the bright yellow background is eye-catching.
"Some things are easier to have than to hold on to, you get? Like wealth. Like friendship. Like love."
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was impressed by the different styles and perspectives used for each short story. These were smoothly executed, with light-hearted satire that made the book more entertaining, even though it did not make me laugh out loud. The cultural and setting details woven into the stories were also a great touch that I enjoyed.
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The twelve distinct stories unfold at a good pace as they delve into the complex world of modern dating and the crazy antics of both men and women, despite the book's title. While the constant affairs and cheating got a little repetitive, some stories had surprising twists that I enjoyed. However, the graphic sex scenes soon became a bit too much for me.
"Life has few coincidences."
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The various characters at the centre of these stories seemed well-written since they had rich personalities and showcased different relationship dynamics. These characters also had some complexity, being neither all good nor bad, and I found myself rooting for some despite their questionable actions.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A good mix of secondary characters helped drive each story, and their contributions to the various twists made them memorable, even though they generally had little depth.
"knowing your enemy is the first step to destroying them."
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Anniwaa Buachie and Thabang Makhubela did a great job narrating these stories. I especially loved the character voices they used to enrich the listening experience and how their voices matched the gender of the narrative voice for each story. However, the accents and Yoruba language did not always sound smooth or natural.
Rating: 4 stars
'Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad' was a quick and enjoyable read, with twelve different drama-filled short stories.
Similar read: How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent
Cover: 🌟🌟🌟
Besides the title, this simple design does not reveal much about the book's contents, but the bright yellow background is eye-catching.
"Some things are easier to have than to hold on to, you get? Like wealth. Like friendship. Like love."
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I was impressed by the different styles and perspectives used for each short story. These were smoothly executed, with light-hearted satire that made the book more entertaining, even though it did not make me laugh out loud. The cultural and setting details woven into the stories were also a great touch that I enjoyed.
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The twelve distinct stories unfold at a good pace as they delve into the complex world of modern dating and the crazy antics of both men and women, despite the book's title. While the constant affairs and cheating got a little repetitive, some stories had surprising twists that I enjoyed. However, the graphic sex scenes soon became a bit too much for me.
"Life has few coincidences."
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
The various characters at the centre of these stories seemed well-written since they had rich personalities and showcased different relationship dynamics. These characters also had some complexity, being neither all good nor bad, and I found myself rooting for some despite their questionable actions.
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
A good mix of secondary characters helped drive each story, and their contributions to the various twists made them memorable, even though they generally had little depth.
"knowing your enemy is the first step to destroying them."
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Anniwaa Buachie and Thabang Makhubela did a great job narrating these stories. I especially loved the character voices they used to enrich the listening experience and how their voices matched the gender of the narrative voice for each story. However, the accents and Yoruba language did not always sound smooth or natural.
March 7, 2022
Kuku's collection of short stories is a great reminder that some of these men are MAD! Honestly, the collection wasn't as diverse as I wanted it to be- but then again, the title told us exactly what to expect. I wished some of the stories had more depth to them but overall I would recommend this to anyone who is in a reading rut and looking for a good laugh!
January 8, 2022
In the light of the lengthy trail of praise odes following Damilare Kuku's book, it would be a strategic error to not delve into its pages, and at least discover the reason for the hype.
Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad is a collection of short stories, written mostly from the POV of embittered women who've been cheated in dramatic circumstances by callous, promiscuous and self-gratifying men.
We see harrowing tales of betrayals, double-lives and hard truths, as experienced and seemln through the eyes of women who are in turn damaged, lovingly innocent, and vindictive.
At a point, the POVs switch to the males in the stories, but the message remains the same: Lagos men take stupidly selfish decisions regarding love and sex.
Despite featuring a title that I suspect to be slightly sexist, the story exhibits none of the sexist prejudices that I imagined it would have, despite most of the folk I know who've read and enjoyed it so far being women.
The issues raised are real ones. More than half of the time, women are on the receiving end of bad decisions and selfish acts by men. Nevertheless, this is far from being a "Lagos men" issue, as the author seems to portray.
While Lagos, Yoruba, and indeed,Nigerian men have their peculiarities, many of which are far from gentlemanly or chivalrous, the sustenance of moral decadence in a generation that sees sex as a commodity, is bound to result in unfortunate eventualities, of which women tend to bear most of the brunt.
It is a result of a culture of convoluted traditional ideals desperately seeking to find a place for itself in the global, "Western" cultural scene. As a result, the very proponents of this culture, the new generation, are trapped in a cycle of hurt, uncontrolled lust and distended emotional capability.
So, it is not surprising when a man dates a woman for years, treating her as his one and only, while being secretly married to a woman he respects enough to keep away from his concubine.The irony...
The polygamous inclinations of African men are deeply explored in this book, as is their propensity to find logic in double-standards.
What may be underreported in other reviews of this book, is the tendency of the fairer species to make terrible decisions where matters of the heart are concerned.
But, these are not new issues. Neither are they unique, in today's world. They are just a reminder of how morally decadent we have allowed ourselves to be; we wallow in a quagmire, splashing mud all around, without first wondering when solid ground became sinking sand.
It is a call to reason, and an appeal to a return to times when the sons of men made rational decisions independent of the influence of hormone-inspired intercourse.
So, this is not really a story about Lagos men, so to speak. I doubt there's anything particularly unique about "Lagos men" to write about. In that case, I suppose the title of the book is the author making a play at publicity, which she clearly has achieved.
Instead, the story is about the fickleness of humanity, the privileged men who display their callousness most of all, and the underprivileged women who suffer for actions and bad choices.
A compelling read, but it gets two stars less from me: one for the use of "Nigerian English", and a second for a thoroughly misleading book title.
Excellent all-round, otherwise.
Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad is a collection of short stories, written mostly from the POV of embittered women who've been cheated in dramatic circumstances by callous, promiscuous and self-gratifying men.
We see harrowing tales of betrayals, double-lives and hard truths, as experienced and seemln through the eyes of women who are in turn damaged, lovingly innocent, and vindictive.
At a point, the POVs switch to the males in the stories, but the message remains the same: Lagos men take stupidly selfish decisions regarding love and sex.
Despite featuring a title that I suspect to be slightly sexist, the story exhibits none of the sexist prejudices that I imagined it would have, despite most of the folk I know who've read and enjoyed it so far being women.
The issues raised are real ones. More than half of the time, women are on the receiving end of bad decisions and selfish acts by men. Nevertheless, this is far from being a "Lagos men" issue, as the author seems to portray.
While Lagos, Yoruba, and indeed,Nigerian men have their peculiarities, many of which are far from gentlemanly or chivalrous, the sustenance of moral decadence in a generation that sees sex as a commodity, is bound to result in unfortunate eventualities, of which women tend to bear most of the brunt.
It is a result of a culture of convoluted traditional ideals desperately seeking to find a place for itself in the global, "Western" cultural scene. As a result, the very proponents of this culture, the new generation, are trapped in a cycle of hurt, uncontrolled lust and distended emotional capability.
So, it is not surprising when a man dates a woman for years, treating her as his one and only, while being secretly married to a woman he respects enough to keep away from his concubine.The irony...
The polygamous inclinations of African men are deeply explored in this book, as is their propensity to find logic in double-standards.
What may be underreported in other reviews of this book, is the tendency of the fairer species to make terrible decisions where matters of the heart are concerned.
But, these are not new issues. Neither are they unique, in today's world. They are just a reminder of how morally decadent we have allowed ourselves to be; we wallow in a quagmire, splashing mud all around, without first wondering when solid ground became sinking sand.
It is a call to reason, and an appeal to a return to times when the sons of men made rational decisions independent of the influence of hormone-inspired intercourse.
So, this is not really a story about Lagos men, so to speak. I doubt there's anything particularly unique about "Lagos men" to write about. In that case, I suppose the title of the book is the author making a play at publicity, which she clearly has achieved.
Instead, the story is about the fickleness of humanity, the privileged men who display their callousness most of all, and the underprivileged women who suffer for actions and bad choices.
A compelling read, but it gets two stars less from me: one for the use of "Nigerian English", and a second for a thoroughly misleading book title.
Excellent all-round, otherwise.
October 29, 2024
3 stars
short review for busy readers: Is there such a genre as "social erotica"? That is, characterisation and cultural studies through sexual encounters and their aftermath? Because if there is, this is it. There's more explicit sex in this collection of stories than in most erotica!
in detail:
The 12 stories in this collection portray a Lagos, Nigeria which will be familiar to anyone who has read other Nigerian works.
A lot of hustle, a lot of social climbing, a lot of use and abuse, a lot of envy and coveting of wealth, a lot of religion and tribalism, a lot of women clawing up and defaming other women for "taking their man" or not being "pure" enough and a lot of men lying, cheating, sleeping around and scamming while attending church every Sunday with innocent smiles on their faces.
So far, so typical.
But what you don't expect from this collection is the explicit sex!
Just about every story is a quick summary of the characters' (esp the women's) current situation, then some background, then sex, some background, more sex, some background and some more sex. And not the poetic, metaphorical stuff of romance novels either!
Sometimes this candid quality works, such as in the case of "The Anointed Wife" in which the wife of a preacher must handle a social media shitstorm when a prostitute claims the preacher hired her services and she's publishing a tell-all.
Many other times, however, the sex scenes seem shoehorned in for effect and completely out of step with the rest of the story. Like: story, story, story, WE NOW PAUSE FOR SOME GRAPHIC NOOKIE, story, story, story.
Unfortunately, this pattern become rather tedious after a while, simply from over use (not from being bad porn. In fact, it's pretty good porn).
A word on humour: Many readers said they found this collection funny.
There must be something very cultural about Nigerian (women's??) humour that zooms right over my head, because I don't even register what's in here as humour. (Same as with another Nigerian work My Sister, the Serial Killer. Didn't find that a bit funny either. 🤷♀️)
The best stories for me were:
Cuck Up
The Anointed Wife
Beard Gang
I Knew You
short review for busy readers: Is there such a genre as "social erotica"? That is, characterisation and cultural studies through sexual encounters and their aftermath? Because if there is, this is it. There's more explicit sex in this collection of stories than in most erotica!
in detail:
The 12 stories in this collection portray a Lagos, Nigeria which will be familiar to anyone who has read other Nigerian works.
A lot of hustle, a lot of social climbing, a lot of use and abuse, a lot of envy and coveting of wealth, a lot of religion and tribalism, a lot of women clawing up and defaming other women for "taking their man" or not being "pure" enough and a lot of men lying, cheating, sleeping around and scamming while attending church every Sunday with innocent smiles on their faces.
So far, so typical.
But what you don't expect from this collection is the explicit sex!
Just about every story is a quick summary of the characters' (esp the women's) current situation, then some background, then sex, some background, more sex, some background and some more sex. And not the poetic, metaphorical stuff of romance novels either!
Sometimes this candid quality works, such as in the case of "The Anointed Wife" in which the wife of a preacher must handle a social media shitstorm when a prostitute claims the preacher hired her services and she's publishing a tell-all.
Many other times, however, the sex scenes seem shoehorned in for effect and completely out of step with the rest of the story. Like: story, story, story, WE NOW PAUSE FOR SOME GRAPHIC NOOKIE, story, story, story.
Unfortunately, this pattern become rather tedious after a while, simply from over use (not from being bad porn. In fact, it's pretty good porn).
A word on humour: Many readers said they found this collection funny.
There must be something very cultural about Nigerian (women's??) humour that zooms right over my head, because I don't even register what's in here as humour. (Same as with another Nigerian work My Sister, the Serial Killer. Didn't find that a bit funny either. 🤷♀️)
The best stories for me were:
Cuck Up
The Anointed Wife
Beard Gang
I Knew You
January 5, 2022
I honestly never know how to rate short stories. Some of the stories felt rushed and fell flat. Ode-pus complex, Beard gang and I knew you were quite enjoyable to read. Overall,it was a good read.
August 3, 2023
DNF
I finish all my books because when it comes to books I am optimistic, it may surprise me or end up being good ,there's always light at the end of a tunnel but this book, My very first DNF crushed that hope.
Could not for the life of me push through this book, way too many sex scenes that are completely unnecessary,random and forced. It needs to come with a warning about this because its not light at all.
I finished the first 4 stories and completely stopped on the 5th story because I didn't sign up for all that.
The stories are good (at least the ones I read) and the title definitely catchy but the fact that I wasn't warned about its sexual graphic/descriptive content still my biggest issue.
So it's a no for me.
I finish all my books because when it comes to books I am optimistic, it may surprise me or end up being good ,there's always light at the end of a tunnel but this book, My very first DNF crushed that hope.
Could not for the life of me push through this book, way too many sex scenes that are completely unnecessary,random and forced. It needs to come with a warning about this because its not light at all.
I finished the first 4 stories and completely stopped on the 5th story because I didn't sign up for all that.
The stories are good (at least the ones I read) and the title definitely catchy but the fact that I wasn't warned about its sexual graphic/descriptive content still my biggest issue.
So it's a no for me.
June 23, 2025
That was kind of a bleak read, except for a couple of stories that had a bit of a good for her ending.
3.5 rounded up.
3.5 rounded up.
March 10, 2022
Another reason to love Nigerian literature. I had been seeing book reviews of this book on Instagram which made me curious to read it. Totally enjoyed it. The only problem is it was short 😅.
December 24, 2023
A promising debut. I hesitate to label this book misandrist but there are no men characters of redeeming value, none. So while the book is entitled Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad. In these 12 short stories, all the men are mad. Undoubtedly these characters represent some real life bad actors but the humor and sharp wit and downright absurdity of this collection raises it to four stars. She often uses the second person narrative, which I believe only skillful writers can pull off effectively, hence my first sentence.
I am certain we will hear from Damilare Kuku again as she has clearly demonstrated her talent. The collection starts strong with a witty story that adds a touch of sad shame, but that story gets the reader invested and you are already priming yourself for more. And Ms. Kuku delivers right up to the end with a story that seems set apart from the rest of the collection because there isn’t any humor, which carries the bulk of these stories. That last story, Independence Day is whoa! So despite this book deserving the misandrist label, it’s a fairly entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley and Masobe books for a DRC!
I am certain we will hear from Damilare Kuku again as she has clearly demonstrated her talent. The collection starts strong with a witty story that adds a touch of sad shame, but that story gets the reader invested and you are already priming yourself for more. And Ms. Kuku delivers right up to the end with a story that seems set apart from the rest of the collection because there isn’t any humor, which carries the bulk of these stories. That last story, Independence Day is whoa! So despite this book deserving the misandrist label, it’s a fairly entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley and Masobe books for a DRC!
April 4, 2024
4.5 STARS rounded up
Also, I agree with the title, it seems like nearly all the men (and some of the women) in Lagos are mad!!
I really enjoyed this book of short stories. This was a quick read and each story gave something different. The stories ranged from spicy, hilarious, sad, intriguing and maddening!
Even though I'm not Nigerian, I understood a lot of the language and I also enjoyed that some references I had to look up (or ask my Naija friends what they meant!) to fully understand the scope.
Also, I agree with the title, it seems like nearly all the men (and some of the women) in Lagos are mad!!
I really enjoyed this book of short stories. This was a quick read and each story gave something different. The stories ranged from spicy, hilarious, sad, intriguing and maddening!
Even though I'm not Nigerian, I understood a lot of the language and I also enjoyed that some references I had to look up (or ask my Naija friends what they meant!) to fully understand the scope.
January 11, 2022
To say I enjoyed each short story in this brilliant collection is an understatement. All these stories evoked various feelings in me. Some of them had me laughing out loud and others had me on the verge of tears. This is such a relatable body of work that I will definitely read again. I also found it amusing how you can pretty much replace Lagos with Lilongwe and the message remains the same. Men are mad everywhere.
November 12, 2022
I'm becoming such a huge fan of short stories by African authors.
September 8, 2024
Damilare Kuku’s ability to create an entire social network, a fully realised world, a textured story, within little more than a handful of words blows me away. I read this book in fits and starts over the course of a few months, and I still can’t stop thinking about “The Anointed Wife”. Like sometimes in the middle of a task I randomly remember it, specific imagery from it, and I’m left thinking, “Damn, that was fucked up.” The author truly has a special grasp of voice, the kind of intuition and understanding that can’t be taught. It feels like there are real people contained within these pages. Astonishing.
FIN
FIN
April 23, 2024
First line- 'One day, you will hold a knife to your husband's penis and threaten to cut it off.' I knew my nosy ass was hooked. Like, girl, what he do? I knewwwwwww I was hooked.
But also the voices in my head chanting 'Cut. It. Off! Cut. It. Off!' (I'm kidding. Mostly.)
No, but honestly, this is a very funny collection of short stories. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a break from romance but still in the mood for fun. Most of the stories are centered around man/woman interactions gone horribly wrong.
Plus an African megachurch pastor's wife who calls him 'Daddy' unironically and is vehemently defending him against accusations of infidelity that everyone believes but her. 💀
'Why would Daddy lie?' Indeed.
These days, we only have sex once a week, or whenever the Holy Spirit leads him.
'My dear,' he would say, 'Let us go and celebrate the Lord in bed.'
I know I'm very late to this party but I enjoyed it enormously nonetheless.
But also the voices in my head chanting 'Cut. It. Off! Cut. It. Off!' (I'm kidding. Mostly.)
No, but honestly, this is a very funny collection of short stories. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a break from romance but still in the mood for fun. Most of the stories are centered around man/woman interactions gone horribly wrong.
Plus an African megachurch pastor's wife who calls him 'Daddy' unironically and is vehemently defending him against accusations of infidelity that everyone believes but her. 💀
'Why would Daddy lie?' Indeed.
These days, we only have sex once a week, or whenever the Holy Spirit leads him.
'My dear,' he would say, 'Let us go and celebrate the Lord in bed.'
I know I'm very late to this party but I enjoyed it enormously nonetheless.
May 21, 2025
3/5 ⭐️ This was pretty funny in some parts but I sometimes felt like the short stories were lacking in creativity and uniqueness. They all just blended together.
November 29, 2023
I loved everything about this book! The quickness of each story.. the drama, the varied yet related nature of each story. I’ve laughed, teared up, gotten angry, screamed! Every single story sucked me in had me at the edge of my seat. Every single one. What a book!
April 5, 2024
Simply ironical and hilarious
May 29, 2024
Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad: Stories - Damilare Kuku
تقريبا كل الرجال في لاغوس مجانين؛ يا له من عنوان جذاب ومميز لمجموعة قصصية .
المجموعة القصصية من نيجيريا، وهي عن المجتمع والعلاقات العاطفية وصعوباتها وتحدياتها، الحب والخيانات والزواجات المدبرة وتجارب الحب الأولى والزيجات التي تدوم لوقت طويل وتلك التي لا تواتيها تلك الفرصة، وطبعًا العلاقات الإنسانية ومايصاحبها من التردد والشك والخداع والخيانات وتدبيراتها، والتحرش والإغتصاب.. والتحديات التي تواجه الأزواج الجدد، من صعوبات اقتصادية وضغوط عائلية ..إلخ.
تركز المجموعة على هذه المواضيع تحديدًا، وهي مجموعة قصصية مختلفة وتلقي نظرة فاحصة على مجتمع كامل، والحياة المعاصرة وتحديات المواجهة بين المعاصرة والعادات والتقاليد، ووأود التأكيد أنها موجهة للبالغين في مناقشتها لهذه الأمور لذا وجب التنويه.
تقريبا كل الرجال في لاغوس مجانين؛ يا له من عنوان جذاب ومميز لمجموعة قصصية .
المجموعة القصصية من نيجيريا، وهي عن المجتمع والعلاقات العاطفية وصعوباتها وتحدياتها، الحب والخيانات والزواجات المدبرة وتجارب الحب الأولى والزيجات التي تدوم لوقت طويل وتلك التي لا تواتيها تلك الفرصة، وطبعًا العلاقات الإنسانية ومايصاحبها من التردد والشك والخداع والخيانات وتدبيراتها، والتحرش والإغتصاب.. والتحديات التي تواجه الأزواج الجدد، من صعوبات اقتصادية وضغوط عائلية ..إلخ.
تركز المجموعة على هذه المواضيع تحديدًا، وهي مجموعة قصصية مختلفة وتلقي نظرة فاحصة على مجتمع كامل، والحياة المعاصرة وتحديات المواجهة بين المعاصرة والعادات والتقاليد، ووأود التأكيد أنها موجهة للبالغين في مناقشتها لهذه الأمور لذا وجب التنويه.
February 6, 2022
When I first started this book, I saw a review that criticized the author's use of 'Nigerian English' and I thought the person was, well, silly. It is a Nigerian book by a Nigerian author, set in a Nigerian state. Should the author have written the book in Ghanian English? However, a couple of stories later, I started to understand what that reviewer meant. For me, reading this book felt like I was scrolling through twitter. That's the best way I can explain it.
This is collection of short stories, some of which were funny, some were not so funny, and a couple of sad ones in between. Also some (unexpectedly) steamy scenes?! Yeah, I enjoyed those. Before picking up this book, I'd already known that Lagos men are really not okay in the head 😂 These stories (fictional, yes yes, I know) just confirm that.
I found the first and second person POVs weird. It sometimes made the transition from the end of one story to the beginning of another a bit jarring for me.
Finally, can we please please please normalize trigger warnings in books?? The last story started with an abrupt and triggering sentence and it ruined that story for me.
This is collection of short stories, some of which were funny, some were not so funny, and a couple of sad ones in between. Also some (unexpectedly) steamy scenes?! Yeah, I enjoyed those. Before picking up this book, I'd already known that Lagos men are really not okay in the head 😂 These stories (fictional, yes yes, I know) just confirm that.
I found the first and second person POVs weird. It sometimes made the transition from the end of one story to the beginning of another a bit jarring for me.
Finally, can we please please please normalize trigger warnings in books?? The last story started with an abrupt and triggering sentence and it ruined that story for me.
December 6, 2022
Haha nearly all men in Lagos are mad indeed. But if we are being completely honest, based on these stories it seems that a good number of women in Lagos are mad too 😂
This was a quick read (read it in a day, in a few hours) and would highly recommend it if you need a quick read as a transition between two heavy books.
As usual with short stories, I’m often left dissatisfied as I feel some stories could be explored more but I understood the stories for what they were and tried to enjoy them as such. Some were really enjoyable such as Catfish (messy as hell), Ode-Pus Complex (madness) and Cuck-Up (also mad). Some stories however fell short of delivering what they were meant to.
All in all, I would recommend this book!
Also trigger warning: the last story in the book deals with rape.
This was a quick read (read it in a day, in a few hours) and would highly recommend it if you need a quick read as a transition between two heavy books.
As usual with short stories, I’m often left dissatisfied as I feel some stories could be explored more but I understood the stories for what they were and tried to enjoy them as such. Some were really enjoyable such as Catfish (messy as hell), Ode-Pus Complex (madness) and Cuck-Up (also mad). Some stories however fell short of delivering what they were meant to.
All in all, I would recommend this book!
Also trigger warning: the last story in the book deals with rape.
December 19, 2021
This is definitely not my usual style of book, but the title drew me in! As a Lagos girl, I really wanted to read this! There was a good variety of stories, which shows creativity of the writer, but I found most/ all of them to verge on the side of sensationalism and vulgarity (which arguably speaks to her perspective of what some of these Lagos relationships are like). I also thought it could have benefited from a further edit, and from more variety in the narrative styles/ voices. However, it was an interesting read and made me reflect on the nature of romantic relationships in this society.
February 19, 2022
This book relies on its catchy title and the thrill of the entire collection ends there.
It's a poorly written collection that reads like a project by a teenager on the cusp of sexual exploration. The sex scenes that litter the book are not enough to save the poor writing and the shallow stories. I have read more interesting things on cartons.
Don't read it, if you must, save your money and borrow your friend's copy.
It's a poorly written collection that reads like a project by a teenager on the cusp of sexual exploration. The sex scenes that litter the book are not enough to save the poor writing and the shallow stories. I have read more interesting things on cartons.
Don't read it, if you must, save your money and borrow your friend's copy.
January 5, 2022
First, read of 2022!🥳
Nearly All the men in Lagos are mad is a collection of 12 short witty stories. What attracted me to this book was the title ha!
The stories were easy to read but the sex scenes seemed forced to me and I found them unnecessary at some point. But I voiced my opinion in a virtual book club and one Lagosian babe confirmed Damilare didn’t lie🤣
Overall, it was a good read. Some stories were interesting and funny. I was rooting for the strong female leads like Jide in Ode- Pus Complex and Ivie in First Times .
The final story had me in my feelings though and men like Charles in Independence Day deserve to be in a dark place they can never come out of for the trauma they cause.
From the stories shared, I’m convinced nearly all the men in Lagos are mad 🤣 Awon werey! I don’t even know what that means
Nearly All the men in Lagos are mad is a collection of 12 short witty stories. What attracted me to this book was the title ha!
The stories were easy to read but the sex scenes seemed forced to me and I found them unnecessary at some point. But I voiced my opinion in a virtual book club and one Lagosian babe confirmed Damilare didn’t lie🤣
Overall, it was a good read. Some stories were interesting and funny. I was rooting for the strong female leads like Jide in Ode- Pus Complex and Ivie in First Times .
The final story had me in my feelings though and men like Charles in Independence Day deserve to be in a dark place they can never come out of for the trauma they cause.
From the stories shared, I’m convinced nearly all the men in Lagos are mad 🤣 Awon werey! I don’t even know what that means
July 9, 2023
Some of the stories were good while others were really bad. I can be more confident now in saying that this genre is just not for me. It is usually a chore to read these books.
The one thing I liked is how the book is structured. The individual stories are short. So it is easy to read the whole collection over multiple sessions.
I have no doubt that people who enjoy these west African (Nigerian) literature will like this one. It is just not for me. So I would recommend it in that case.
The one thing I liked is how the book is structured. The individual stories are short. So it is easy to read the whole collection over multiple sessions.
I have no doubt that people who enjoy these west African (Nigerian) literature will like this one. It is just not for me. So I would recommend it in that case.
February 7, 2022
The direction I imagined this book would go isn’t exactly what I was presented with. It fell flat around the fifth story. There was a lot of potential for the book to be written in a better way.
June 16, 2024
If you’re looking for something fun and exciting to read I totally recommend this!!!!……. The short stories are so funny 😂😂😂😂uggghhh I love this book!!
January 15, 2026
Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad: Stories by Damilare Kuku – Goodreads-style Review
Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku is a bold and vibrant collection of twelve short stories set in the bustling, chaotic city of Lagos, Nigeria. Through characters ranging from a pastor’s wife defending her husband’s public image to a woman fed up with the local dating scene and joking about dating oyibos, Kuku casts a wide net on modern love, heartbreak, and the everyday absurdities of relationships in one of Africa’s largest cities. The stories are written with candid voices and everyday language, and while they often depict men as unreliable, self-absorbed, or chaotic, the women at the heart of these tales display resilience, sharp humor, and surprising wit. These slices of life, tinged with both comedy and critique, reveal Lagos as more than a setting, but a force shaping every encounter and punch line.
Reading this collection felt like walking through Lagos’s crowded streets at midnight, laughter and sighs jostling for space in equal measure. Kuku’s writing made me laugh out loud at times and wince at others, especially when characters confronted raw truths about love, power, and self-worth.
I appreciated how the voices were so distinct that even in brief narratives you feel you know these women intimately; they challenge, adapt, and sometimes push back against the madness that surrounds them. Not every story landed with the same emotional punch for me, and some scenes felt quite raw, but the book’s unapologetic energy and sharp social insight made it unforgettable.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because it is engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of Lagos life.
Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku is a bold and vibrant collection of twelve short stories set in the bustling, chaotic city of Lagos, Nigeria. Through characters ranging from a pastor’s wife defending her husband’s public image to a woman fed up with the local dating scene and joking about dating oyibos, Kuku casts a wide net on modern love, heartbreak, and the everyday absurdities of relationships in one of Africa’s largest cities. The stories are written with candid voices and everyday language, and while they often depict men as unreliable, self-absorbed, or chaotic, the women at the heart of these tales display resilience, sharp humor, and surprising wit. These slices of life, tinged with both comedy and critique, reveal Lagos as more than a setting, but a force shaping every encounter and punch line.
Reading this collection felt like walking through Lagos’s crowded streets at midnight, laughter and sighs jostling for space in equal measure. Kuku’s writing made me laugh out loud at times and wince at others, especially when characters confronted raw truths about love, power, and self-worth.
I appreciated how the voices were so distinct that even in brief narratives you feel you know these women intimately; they challenge, adapt, and sometimes push back against the madness that surrounds them. Not every story landed with the same emotional punch for me, and some scenes felt quite raw, but the book’s unapologetic energy and sharp social insight made it unforgettable.
Rating: 4 out of 5 because it is engaging, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted in the rhythm of Lagos life.
November 3, 2021
When I first saw the title of the book, I had to get it and it didn't disappoint.
Nearly all the men in Lagos are mad is a compilation of 12 short stories. The book tells stories of Lagos women and the shit they have survived and endured from Lagos men. From cheating husbands, a mommy's boy, an impotent husband, a side chick, to closeted gay husbands, and many more.
The book shows us the type of men Lagos women encounter in the dating scene and how it usually ends.
The story is well-written and very funny, there is no boring moment. Highly recommended.
Nearly all the men in Lagos are mad is a compilation of 12 short stories. The book tells stories of Lagos women and the shit they have survived and endured from Lagos men. From cheating husbands, a mommy's boy, an impotent husband, a side chick, to closeted gay husbands, and many more.
The book shows us the type of men Lagos women encounter in the dating scene and how it usually ends.
The story is well-written and very funny, there is no boring moment. Highly recommended.
August 29, 2024
2.5 I think there are good stories with lessons from a very Nigerian prospective (not a perspective I like to be in but then again I don’t live in Lagos) and although I don’t consider myself to be a prude when it comes to smut in books this was abit too much cringe for me. I listened to the audiobook and let me tell you the accents did not help.
February 7, 2022
This book. This book. Chai!!!
"one night, you will calmly put a knife to your husband's penis and promise to cut it off." That's the opening line of the book and through it's 12 short stories you're led through one experience after another of women from all walks of life being shown pepper and how they managed to make pepper soup or shito! The thrills and suspense, especially the cliff hanger endings of some of the stories had me putting the book away every now and then just so I can chew on what I just read.
Here are my unsolicited votes:
Funniest story - International relations
Saddest - First times
The GOAT of all women! - Catfish, Beard gang, I knew you, Independence day
FAVOURITE QUOTES
"We fought and made up. We were good friends and better lovers. You liked me so much I had no choice but to start liking myself, to start acting respectable, like someone who had something special waiting for them back home."
"Happy endings are for mumus and fairy tales. Happy endings are the code name for a special type of massage in brothels. When it comes to relationships, you are lucky if you get a happy beginning and a not-so-terrible ending."
"In this life you have to hustle for your orgasms. This is me hustling for as many orgasms as I can collect."
"Dele your tongue has more uses than your dick. You should cut that useless piece of s*** between your legs off. Your tongue is enough. Perhaps before I kill you, I'll let you ride me with your tongue one last time. One for the road. At least you will die with the taste of my vagina accompanying you to the hell you came from."
"I knew I was going to make it in life so I was okay with the many phases and curveballs life threw at."
"When the ATM brings out naira notes, they look the same no matter how you have earned them"
"My Iya Agba used to say, sometimes men are like babies who you have to pull by the ear and show the way "
"Forget sex and food - nothing steals a man's heart faster than a beautiful woman who genuinely love that all his jokes"
"one night, you will calmly put a knife to your husband's penis and promise to cut it off." That's the opening line of the book and through it's 12 short stories you're led through one experience after another of women from all walks of life being shown pepper and how they managed to make pepper soup or shito! The thrills and suspense, especially the cliff hanger endings of some of the stories had me putting the book away every now and then just so I can chew on what I just read.
Here are my unsolicited votes:
Funniest story - International relations
Saddest - First times
The GOAT of all women! - Catfish, Beard gang, I knew you, Independence day
FAVOURITE QUOTES
"We fought and made up. We were good friends and better lovers. You liked me so much I had no choice but to start liking myself, to start acting respectable, like someone who had something special waiting for them back home."
"Happy endings are for mumus and fairy tales. Happy endings are the code name for a special type of massage in brothels. When it comes to relationships, you are lucky if you get a happy beginning and a not-so-terrible ending."
"In this life you have to hustle for your orgasms. This is me hustling for as many orgasms as I can collect."
"Dele your tongue has more uses than your dick. You should cut that useless piece of s*** between your legs off. Your tongue is enough. Perhaps before I kill you, I'll let you ride me with your tongue one last time. One for the road. At least you will die with the taste of my vagina accompanying you to the hell you came from."
"I knew I was going to make it in life so I was okay with the many phases and curveballs life threw at."
"When the ATM brings out naira notes, they look the same no matter how you have earned them"
"My Iya Agba used to say, sometimes men are like babies who you have to pull by the ear and show the way "
"Forget sex and food - nothing steals a man's heart faster than a beautiful woman who genuinely love that all his jokes"
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