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I For Don Blow But I Too Dey Press Phone
It was 1996 in Nigeria; the year of the Atlanta Olympic gold, the year of political assassinations and the democratic struggle. It was also the year a little boy’s childhood took a dramatic turn when he lost his hearing and was immediately initiated into the chaos of being a disabled child in a lower-middle class community.
Recounting his experiences as a kid slipping from the top of the class to the bottom, going through a damaging sibling rivalry with his older brother, and having to get used to surrendering his body to strange men and women whose magic only marked his body and scarred his mind, I For Don Blow But I Too Dey Press Phone is a story of loss, trauma, an endless journey towards self-rediscovery and the violence it takes to live with dignity in a country that doesn’t see or hear people like him.
“A memoir that reads much deeper than it appears... It’s impossible not to laugh, sigh, and be emotionally immersed in the experiences that Hymar exposes you to in this memoir.”
– Ikenna Okeh, author, Rogues of the East
“Easily one of the most important contemporary writers from Nigeria. I For Don Blow but I Too Dey Press Phone is a deeply affecting testimony to his immense literary gift. Read this book and be awed by the triumph of will over adversity.”
– Ikhide Ikheloa
Recounting his experiences as a kid slipping from the top of the class to the bottom, going through a damaging sibling rivalry with his older brother, and having to get used to surrendering his body to strange men and women whose magic only marked his body and scarred his mind, I For Don Blow But I Too Dey Press Phone is a story of loss, trauma, an endless journey towards self-rediscovery and the violence it takes to live with dignity in a country that doesn’t see or hear people like him.
“A memoir that reads much deeper than it appears... It’s impossible not to laugh, sigh, and be emotionally immersed in the experiences that Hymar exposes you to in this memoir.”
– Ikenna Okeh, author, Rogues of the East
“Easily one of the most important contemporary writers from Nigeria. I For Don Blow but I Too Dey Press Phone is a deeply affecting testimony to his immense literary gift. Read this book and be awed by the triumph of will over adversity.”
– Ikhide Ikheloa
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 20, 2025
I am not sure why the final pages of this book are threatening to make me tear up. I don’t know Hymar, but I have wanted to read this book for almost five years now! When I saw it on Rovingheights’ website, I was beyond excited. I couldn’t wait to devour it.
But then I started reading, and I got bored and tired because the story was everywhere. But then I began to appreciate Hymar’s writing style. You can’t write a true Nigerian autobiography neatly because the country is messed up, especially for the poor folks, not to mention disability and Lagos madness join.
Thanks for telling your story, Hymar.
It took me so long to read because it was too real, too clear for me to imagine. I could see myself and some aspects of my life growing up vividly described here.
On a lighter note, I am thankful not to have experienced the brutality of street life. We were poor, but na only we know inside our house. Omo!
I have spent the last few hours going through Hymar’s Facebook and IG pages. I just need one video to hear his voice and know if it is what I imagined.
Thank you for writing, Hymar.
But then I started reading, and I got bored and tired because the story was everywhere. But then I began to appreciate Hymar’s writing style. You can’t write a true Nigerian autobiography neatly because the country is messed up, especially for the poor folks, not to mention disability and Lagos madness join.
Thanks for telling your story, Hymar.
It took me so long to read because it was too real, too clear for me to imagine. I could see myself and some aspects of my life growing up vividly described here.
On a lighter note, I am thankful not to have experienced the brutality of street life. We were poor, but na only we know inside our house. Omo!
I have spent the last few hours going through Hymar’s Facebook and IG pages. I just need one video to hear his voice and know if it is what I imagined.
Thank you for writing, Hymar.
March 13, 2023
Hymar's matter-of-fact way of storytelling draws you into his journey from childhood as a mainstream learner to adolescence with a suddenly disability and the ensuing life he led as an adult in Nigeria.
It is hilarious as it is probing.
I find that our country is not in the least bit inclusive in anyway, and Hymar's story reminds us of the diversity around us, the awkwardness we have associated with difference and the need to scrap it all.
It is hilarious as it is probing.
I find that our country is not in the least bit inclusive in anyway, and Hymar's story reminds us of the diversity around us, the awkwardness we have associated with difference and the need to scrap it all.
January 23, 2024
It's very inspiring and educative, it really helped me a lot❤️❤️💯
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews