Seeri

by Chiamaka Okike

On the one year anniversary of her sister Nijah’s death, Kewa decides it’s time to confront her history. Armed with her best friend Tajudeen and powered by nostalgia, she sets out on an impulsive adventure through the streets of London to win back her ex-boyfriend- Makin. As Kewa navigates awkward taxi rides, drunken mishaps, and collisions with unexpected romantic interests, she finds that all roads lead to the past… But that doesn’t mean they don’t lead to new love.

With wit, poetry, and the occasional touch of humour, Seeri explores the parallel lines that grief and intimacy walk on; and what it means to live in the joy, absurdism, and love despite.

Genres: Fiction

84 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 2024

About the author

Chiamaka Okike is a multi-disciplinary writer. She is the author of the novella Seeri. She is also the author of short stories and articles ‘Chewed Glass,’ ‘Return to the Sun,’ ‘Fuschia Pink and Midnight Lace,’ ‘The World is Dancing to Africa’s Tune,’ ‘Amore E Liberazione,’ ‘A Name No Mother Would Give You,’ ‘Songs about Surulere,’ ‘If People Are Art Then Museums Are Graveyards,’ and ‘14 Lasts Forever’- she grew up in a quiet little community in Ibadan, Nigeria. Here she cultivated her relationship with long walks and words. After putting it off for years she finally got round to taking her writing seriously. This has led her to editing Isele magazine’s women issue, speaking at various workshops and panels, and delving into creative non-fiction - with words and appearances in The Kalahari Review, Narratively, Wilson Quarterly, Edinburgh’s Literary Salon, Brittle Paper, Isele Magazine, ActiveMuse and her personal website - www.chiamakaokike.com. In addition to writing she has curated and hosted 4 different pop up events across London for her novella, Seeri and mini short story collection ‘Chewed Glass’- the details of which are also available on her website.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writing was so intensely beautiful.

THE PREMISE: a night out in London to tell the one who got away you want them back, but the love of your life is the best friend beside you.

TROPES & VIBES:
- Sapphic novella
- Grief (death of a sister)
- Longing
- My sister’s best friend
- Gorgeous, gorgeous, funny writing

4.5⭐️

[Jaimee Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have 0 qualms with this story but no fireworks for me. Quick read

[eva ₊˚⊹♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intimate, endearing, and hilarious!

The passages on grief and love brought tears to my eyes; they were so beautifully written and tender.

This is for those who love love, those who feel the strings of friendship and sisterhood woven so thoroughly through their hearts, and the real yearners!

This is contemporary literature that I can identify with, and the characters have an ease that reminds you of yourself or people in your life. Gen-Z queer women with so many impressive thoughts, inspiring personal philosophies, and courageous personalities — it’s a stunning portrayal.

My only critique is that the transitions from scene to scene and dialogue felt slightly jumpy at times, not necessarily making it hard to follow but making it less smooth of a read. However, that could be because I read the print version.

All in all, it is an absolutely stunning novella. The author has a gift, and I can’t wait to read more of her work in the future.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

This is a beautiful story. Honestly, that’s it, that’s the review. This book is a look at grief, about how time softens those edges but never keeps them from hurting us, about how love comes in all forms and sometimes we’re afraid to let ourselves accept it. It’s a book about love, but also about romance — and Kewa and Tajudeen’s romance is breathtaking in it’s grace and glory.

This is one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a long time, for all that that romance is shadowed by grief and loss. It makes your heart ache in just the right way, and I loved every minute of it, so much so that I will be buying a physical copy so that I can read and annotate.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[Savs 🌸 · Rating 4 out of 5]

But you're always saying things like that. Like you could walk along my palm lines-"

"Because I've memorised them."

Oh what a beautifully written book !

I loved the interaction between Kewa and Tajudeen, the subtle intimacies between the two, it was very lovely to read, and I loved the flashback scenes and I loved the dialogue. Everything was written so well.

This book did leave me with a few unanswered questions though … and I did feel the taxi scene felt like a bit of filler and wasn’t, in my opinion, needed !

Other than that, a lovely book !

[Tolu Osunkoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Seeri 🥺 Wish I could go back and read it again for the first time. Such positively charged, immersive, whirlwind of emotions. Perfectly captures the chaos and polarity of one’s early twenties.

[malmal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book occupied my time during a looong train ride and I wish the book didn’t end as quick as it did. I loved the characters and the relationship that blossoms in it is too cute. I’d give it a 10/10 and more stars if I could!!

[Dara Apampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chiamaka continues to astound me with the way she weaves words. The careful effort taken to set a scene and build a character allows you to lose yourself in the story in a way the modern literature rarely does. Do yourself a favour and open your purse!!

[chi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the train omw to work and back. I didn’t want it to end. It was too good! I was hoping it would never end honestly. Perfect portrayal of being in love with your best friend! Such an amazing read!

[luz · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah cause yeah cause yeah

———
“my heart is and always will be… yours.”

“Because whatever souls are made of, yours and mine are the same.”

“she also felt like the only person in the world who had an ear that picked up all the frequencies of her voice was gone.”

[Chika Nzenwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kind of book you want to come home to on a Friday night. Every star is well deserved!

[Damisola S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible story, I felt so privileged to live in Kewa and Tajudeen’s emotional worlds. Very well fleshed out characters with deep and relatable ties to one another.

[theirishbooklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Rena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already want to read it again. I probably will very soon. ❤

[E.J. Blaise · Rating 5 out of 5]

devoured in one sitting, will never be the same again

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! really lovely and tender, enjoyed reading this a lot

[Bella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Frere Mena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read but leaves a lot of questions unanswered.

[Victoria Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a love story for anxious avoidants !

[Rowena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seeri 5⭐️

This heartfelt and thought provoking novella is a beautifully written story portraying the parallels of grief and love all within the space of a night out in London. Perfect to curl up and read on a cool night (which is when it gave me company) with a warm cup of tea, or sat out in the sun on a picturesque spring day.

I would also like to note as a musical and general theatre loving girlie the mentions of Hadestown were very much appreciated!