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The Half-God of Rainfall
From the award-winning poet and playwright behind Barber Shop Chronicles, The Half-God of Rainfall is an epic story and a lyrical exploration of pride, power and female revenge.
There is something about the boy. When he is angry, clouds darken. When he cries, rivers burst their banks. And when he touches a basketball, deities want courtside seats. Half Nigerian mortal, half Grecian God: Demi is the Half-God of Rainfall.
His mother, Modupe, looks on with a mixture of pride and worry. From close encounters, she knows that Gods are just like men: the same fragile egos, the same subsequent fury, the same sense of entitlement to the bodies of mortals. The Gods will one day tire of sports fans, their fickle allegiances and their prayers to Demi.
And when that moment comes, it won’t matter how special he is. Only the women in Demi’s life, the mothers, the Goddesses, will stand between him and a lightning bolt.
There is something about the boy. When he is angry, clouds darken. When he cries, rivers burst their banks. And when he touches a basketball, deities want courtside seats. Half Nigerian mortal, half Grecian God: Demi is the Half-God of Rainfall.
His mother, Modupe, looks on with a mixture of pride and worry. From close encounters, she knows that Gods are just like men: the same fragile egos, the same subsequent fury, the same sense of entitlement to the bodies of mortals. The Gods will one day tire of sports fans, their fickle allegiances and their prayers to Demi.
And when that moment comes, it won’t matter how special he is. Only the women in Demi’s life, the mothers, the Goddesses, will stand between him and a lightning bolt.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2019
32 people are currently reading
2894 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
September 11, 2020
I knew I was going to love this since I read the words in the dedication: "In solidarity with women who have spoken against or stood up to male abuses of power in all its forms".
This novel in verse introduced the reader to a boy who made rivers break their banks when he cried and had one sole passion and infallible skill. This skill saw him leave his home and his culture behind as he ventured to the capitalist West, where fame and fortune followed. And also maybe his own eventual destruction.
But this is a story about so much more than him.
This story began with his mother.
But this story also began with every woman.
Modupe was an individual famed for her beauty and the victim of a male entity who sought to steal it for himself. The result was her skilled son. The result was also a pantheon of gods in chaos at this proof of male dominance and the abuse of the power granted to them. Modupe brought this chaos to the footsteps of their ruler and her abuser, and forged for herself the strength to fight back and speak her truth. And also maybe his own eventual destruction.
This brought the reality women face on a daily basis, with a fable-like concluding morality, and an abundance of mythological figures that featured throughout. All Ellams captured in less than 100 pages is extraordinary and this is a tale with so much to explore, much of which will differ depending on the reader who experiences his powerful words. Overall, for me, this is a story that really does embody the adage that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And what an unstoppable force we are.
This novel in verse introduced the reader to a boy who made rivers break their banks when he cried and had one sole passion and infallible skill. This skill saw him leave his home and his culture behind as he ventured to the capitalist West, where fame and fortune followed. And also maybe his own eventual destruction.
But this is a story about so much more than him.
This story began with his mother.
But this story also began with every woman.
Modupe was an individual famed for her beauty and the victim of a male entity who sought to steal it for himself. The result was her skilled son. The result was also a pantheon of gods in chaos at this proof of male dominance and the abuse of the power granted to them. Modupe brought this chaos to the footsteps of their ruler and her abuser, and forged for herself the strength to fight back and speak her truth. And also maybe his own eventual destruction.
This brought the reality women face on a daily basis, with a fable-like concluding morality, and an abundance of mythological figures that featured throughout. All Ellams captured in less than 100 pages is extraordinary and this is a tale with so much to explore, much of which will differ depending on the reader who experiences his powerful words. Overall, for me, this is a story that really does embody the adage that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. And what an unstoppable force we are.
November 27, 2019
------------------VIDEO REVIEW------------------
27/11/19
The Half-God of Rainfall by Inua Ellams is an epic that explores pride, power and revenge, mainly centring on a female’s perspective. I was blown away by how beautifully Ellams managed to weave together a rendition of Icarus and a story of abuse. And this within less than 84 pages! Even if you’re someone who doesn’t read poetry, I’d still recommend this lol - it’s that good! Full review is on my channel!!
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27/11/19
The Half-God of Rainfall by Inua Ellams is an epic that explores pride, power and revenge, mainly centring on a female’s perspective. I was blown away by how beautifully Ellams managed to weave together a rendition of Icarus and a story of abuse. And this within less than 84 pages! Even if you’re someone who doesn’t read poetry, I’d still recommend this lol - it’s that good! Full review is on my channel!!
You can find me on
Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Website
June 8, 2021
158 of 2021
Bruhhhhh
The material!!! The fucking material! Gosh I didn't want this to end.
Such rich and lush prose, an amazing audiobook narration, god tier writing, and the plot?! Hot damn!!!!
I loved this so much. Thank you Karima for recommending this to meeee.
It's such a fast and amazing read, and it tells the story of Demi, a demigod son of Zeus born to a Nigerian mother. This book mixes Yoruba and Greek mythology, with bits and pieces of myth elements from other parts of the world. At its core tho, this is the story of downtrodden women in a world run egoistic male gods who just take and take.
We get to see Sango and Osun, Zeus and Hera, Hercules, Hermes, and Elegba.
This is also kinda a sports book, because Demi's godlike abilities make him a badass at sports, and he's a professional basketball player.
It broke my heart but I also loved it so much. I will definitely reread this one again and again because it's really that good.
I definitely recommend ❤️
Bruhhhhh
The material!!! The fucking material! Gosh I didn't want this to end.
Such rich and lush prose, an amazing audiobook narration, god tier writing, and the plot?! Hot damn!!!!
I loved this so much. Thank you Karima for recommending this to meeee.
It's such a fast and amazing read, and it tells the story of Demi, a demigod son of Zeus born to a Nigerian mother. This book mixes Yoruba and Greek mythology, with bits and pieces of myth elements from other parts of the world. At its core tho, this is the story of downtrodden women in a world run egoistic male gods who just take and take.
We get to see Sango and Osun, Zeus and Hera, Hercules, Hermes, and Elegba.
This is also kinda a sports book, because Demi's godlike abilities make him a badass at sports, and he's a professional basketball player.
It broke my heart but I also loved it so much. I will definitely reread this one again and again because it's really that good.
I definitely recommend ❤️
June 20, 2019
This is a really thought-provoking poem that pulls together the clash of gods ancient and modern, the power of family love against the powers of the world and how to be both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time.
It's hard to compare this to other books, because it's not really like anything I've read before, but if you liked American Gods by Neil Gaiman or the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, I think you'd like this book; albeit this is a poem rather than a novel.
It's hard to compare this to other books, because it's not really like anything I've read before, but if you liked American Gods by Neil Gaiman or the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, I think you'd like this book; albeit this is a poem rather than a novel.
June 26, 2020
Well, this was pretty special. Told entirely in free verse, it's a revenge story with feminist sensibilities featuring Greek and Nigerian deities, basketball legends and an awesome mother. I loved it!
November 10, 2018
Three stars isn't a bad review, it's just an uncertain one.
I'm the first to admit a free verse poetry novel is in no way my wheelhouse, and I'm not the intended audience, knowing little about classical and Nigerian mythology and less about basketball (!). However, there was much to enjoy here.
Telling the story of the conception birth and life of a half god, Nigerian basketball player combined with the power and rage of sexually abused female role models is challenging and surreal.
The language is precise, evocative and at times harrowing , the imagery clear and in places very disturbing. The ending in particular crackles with power and excitement.
3.5 stars if it would let me, and a welcome complete departure from something I would pick up for myself.
Review provided in exchange for an ARC from publisher.
I'm the first to admit a free verse poetry novel is in no way my wheelhouse, and I'm not the intended audience, knowing little about classical and Nigerian mythology and less about basketball (!). However, there was much to enjoy here.
Telling the story of the conception birth and life of a half god, Nigerian basketball player combined with the power and rage of sexually abused female role models is challenging and surreal.
The language is precise, evocative and at times harrowing , the imagery clear and in places very disturbing. The ending in particular crackles with power and excitement.
3.5 stars if it would let me, and a welcome complete departure from something I would pick up for myself.
Review provided in exchange for an ARC from publisher.
February 27, 2021
This book artfully blend so many mythologies - absolutely brilliant.
April 22, 2024
This was such an interesting and unique novella! I love how it blended mythology with contemporary sports in such a moving and thought-provoking way. You definitely don't see this kind of story often. While it was intriguing however, I'm sad to say that I only mildly enjoyed this.
December 28, 2019
4.85 I highly recommend even to those who are not keen on fantasy. Vengeance, Feminism, Mythology that echoes the #MeToo movement. I love it when women come together to fight injustice. I loooooved this quick great good read.
April 15, 2019
Inua Ellams is a renowned poet and playwright (The Barber Shop Chronicles). I have seen him read/ perform twice and hence was very excited when his novella in verse, The Half-God of Rainfall, was announced. Thankfully, I received a review copy from the publisher.
The Half-God of Rainfall packs into roughly 80 pages a tale spanning several years, more than a handful of gods, and multiple continents. This is the story of Demi - born to a Nigerian mortal after she was raped by the Greek god Zeus - who rises to fame as a basketball player. But it is also the story of his mother Modupe who finds herself at the whim of the gods one time too many. This is about a conflict between Yorùbá and Greek deities, between mortals and gods, between women and men.
Ellams verses, his beautiful, precise language, fit the story he is telling and gives it the epic feel it needs. Focussing in on a few choice scenes, he manages to get across the motives of his characters, their entanglements, and their emotions. It all falls into place. There are just a few instances where the developments felt rushed to me and a few more pages could have been spent. Also quite early on, Ellams writes about Modupe and how she was protected from mortal men. The way he writes about rape there is a bit simplistic and actually contradictory to his tale. But all in all, this is a good book and one lending itself to rereads.
The Half-God of Rainfall packs into roughly 80 pages a tale spanning several years, more than a handful of gods, and multiple continents. This is the story of Demi - born to a Nigerian mortal after she was raped by the Greek god Zeus - who rises to fame as a basketball player. But it is also the story of his mother Modupe who finds herself at the whim of the gods one time too many. This is about a conflict between Yorùbá and Greek deities, between mortals and gods, between women and men.
Ellams verses, his beautiful, precise language, fit the story he is telling and gives it the epic feel it needs. Focussing in on a few choice scenes, he manages to get across the motives of his characters, their entanglements, and their emotions. It all falls into place. There are just a few instances where the developments felt rushed to me and a few more pages could have been spent. Also quite early on, Ellams writes about Modupe and how she was protected from mortal men. The way he writes about rape there is a bit simplistic and actually contradictory to his tale. But all in all, this is a good book and one lending itself to rereads.
Read
July 23, 2021This was fascinating, a great read both on the sentence level and an awesome concept: an epic poem where the Òrìṣà fight with the Greek pantheon, focused on a demigod who becomes a basketball player; also a rape revenge story of his mother. But I felt it was just a bit too short, I would've liked to see more exploration. I was really glad to see Zeus as a rapist problematized but not centered (if I'm explaining it right...). Also awesome to see Akwaeke Emezi's work - explicitly referenced - making ripples and creating influences. I just wanted more of everything!
_________
Source of the book: Book swap
_________
Source of the book: Book swap
August 20, 2020
She looked to the pained masses gathered who had survived Zeus but still wore the scars still carried the invisible wounds...
This a poetry book, I wish I knew that going in maybe I wouldn't have disliked it as much as I did but that is on me, honestly I just wish I had read the synopsis I did not like the merging of the Yoruba and Greek gods I don't know why, it was just strange to me. Great prose though.
This a poetry book, I wish I knew that going in maybe I wouldn't have disliked it as much as I did but that is on me, honestly I just wish I had read the synopsis I did not like the merging of the Yoruba and Greek gods I don't know why, it was just strange to me. Great prose though.
February 5, 2022
Quite possibly the best novella I've ever read in my life. Unique, imaginative, and deeply empowering. I highly recommend the audiobook because wow!!! Final thoughts to follow.
Highly recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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Highly recommended!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
instagram • pinterest • twitter • ko-fi
October 24, 2020
Beautiful exploration of violation, the effects of violation, Power-the loss of & taking back, Pride, Vengeance, Motherhood-love & loss, Strategies of war all told through the story of Demi. The cast of characters all names from mythology; some you’ll recognize while some you’ll scurry away afterwards to learn about.
June 26, 2020
A modern myth, an innovative and enjoyable read, a book that flows and twists like Osun’s rivers, flashes and thunders like Zeus’s own bolts, and has a heart the size of a continent.
Highly recommended, even if poetry isn’t usually your thing.
Highly recommended, even if poetry isn’t usually your thing.
August 5, 2021
Loooved it!
January 28, 2022
A expertly crafted story told in verse about women who stand up to all forms of power and abuse. Being only 96 pages, this really packed a punch and is definitely something I will return too.
Incredibly unique and well written!
Incredibly unique and well written!
November 27, 2020
A small yet mighty story.
No. Zeus who is old as stars
thinks Earth spins for him, that he is entitled to our bodies. He will never learn. Vengeance is ours.
Ellams has crafted with poetry a story that deals with the trauma of sexual violence, using the backdrop of the realm of the Orisas and Mount Olympus. He also vividly captures the lust, the arrogance, and absolute hubris of the violators and what that desire to own, to grasp means for the victims.
Quite clear as well is the allegory for colonization: the brutalization, pillaging, dismantling, and eradication of identity and culture that is destined for the colonized. After the value has been extracted, policies are dictated that ensure that even after colonial powers have withdrawn, they still reap the benefits of any and every resource of their former colonies. And if at any time they feel their elevation and veneration is being threatened, malicious steps are taken to quash any such rising from the ashes.
I appreciated the parallels drawn between a colonial presence and the scars left due to sexual abuse and violence. Attributing the prowess of well-known basketball stars with being offspring of gods was an interesting concept that I also enjoyed.
While reading I just could not stop seeing parallels in the degradations and violations that Ellams allegorizes through sexual violence with all the other institutions that were set up specifically to disenfranchise and disadvantage Black people; yet still the spirit to never go gently, to fight back, to shout against the injustices, to smash the odds was also a defining thread through this narrative.
No. Zeus who is old as stars
thinks Earth spins for him, that he is entitled to our bodies. He will never learn. Vengeance is ours.
Ellams has crafted with poetry a story that deals with the trauma of sexual violence, using the backdrop of the realm of the Orisas and Mount Olympus. He also vividly captures the lust, the arrogance, and absolute hubris of the violators and what that desire to own, to grasp means for the victims.
Quite clear as well is the allegory for colonization: the brutalization, pillaging, dismantling, and eradication of identity and culture that is destined for the colonized. After the value has been extracted, policies are dictated that ensure that even after colonial powers have withdrawn, they still reap the benefits of any and every resource of their former colonies. And if at any time they feel their elevation and veneration is being threatened, malicious steps are taken to quash any such rising from the ashes.
I appreciated the parallels drawn between a colonial presence and the scars left due to sexual abuse and violence. Attributing the prowess of well-known basketball stars with being offspring of gods was an interesting concept that I also enjoyed.
While reading I just could not stop seeing parallels in the degradations and violations that Ellams allegorizes through sexual violence with all the other institutions that were set up specifically to disenfranchise and disadvantage Black people; yet still the spirit to never go gently, to fight back, to shout against the injustices, to smash the odds was also a defining thread through this narrative.
November 16, 2020
This is a tiny but powerful poem, told in free verse and split up into three acts. The poem centers around a talented, athletic Nigerian boy who’s a demigod, a product of a rape of a mortal woman by the God Zeus. He is a basketball star who has powers on and off the court, including crying rivers of tears that literally flood his town. Told with a the unusual combination of a modern settings like the NBA playoffs and style of greek and Yoruba mythology. It’s a truly unique way to explore the classic story of Icarus while also creating a narrative that centers around male dominance, the abuse of power, race, and pride.
While it tells the tale of the son, it begins with his mother, Modupe. She’s famed for her beauty, but it attracts the unwanted attentions of Zeus. The book explores the hardships of being a marginalized gender faced with toxic masculinity, vengeance, and motherhood.
“her own mother screamed when she saw the future and the object she would become”
I was totally blown away by the power of this tiny modern myth, especially since it is SUPER short at just 84 pages. It is an emotional, contemporary mini take on a classic brought to life with the angst of our current atmosphere of the BLM and #metoo movements. Full of fable like moral messages, it is heartbreaking to read but you still walk away full of hope that we are survivors. This is a feminist, own voice, anti-racist must read book to add to your list immediately. This should be on everyone's “Best Of” lists for poetry.
“I couldn’t keep him out. my body is healed but my mind is not. What he took from me is clear, control of my most precious self. But he gave me you.”
TRIGGER WARNING: rape + abuse + PTSD
While it tells the tale of the son, it begins with his mother, Modupe. She’s famed for her beauty, but it attracts the unwanted attentions of Zeus. The book explores the hardships of being a marginalized gender faced with toxic masculinity, vengeance, and motherhood.
“her own mother screamed when she saw the future and the object she would become”
I was totally blown away by the power of this tiny modern myth, especially since it is SUPER short at just 84 pages. It is an emotional, contemporary mini take on a classic brought to life with the angst of our current atmosphere of the BLM and #metoo movements. Full of fable like moral messages, it is heartbreaking to read but you still walk away full of hope that we are survivors. This is a feminist, own voice, anti-racist must read book to add to your list immediately. This should be on everyone's “Best Of” lists for poetry.
“I couldn’t keep him out. my body is healed but my mind is not. What he took from me is clear, control of my most precious self. But he gave me you.”
TRIGGER WARNING: rape + abuse + PTSD
October 26, 2024
Someone needs to investigate what's in the water there by West Africa specifically Nigeria. Is there nothing y'all can't do? Tjeses!
Written in three acts, the Half God of Rainfall is a lyrical, ethereal, dramatic & epic tale of gods, demigods & mortals.
It stars Modupe, a mere mortal, who is a causality of a wager between Sango & Zeus. A mortal who asks for protection for herself & her son. A mortal who will avenge herself.
I absolutely loved this epic poetry. It ticks all the right boxes especially if you love women led narratives, basketball & mythology. It kinda reminded me of American Gods the way it explored mythology. I really like the form which looked like a play but read like an epic poem with the three act structure of a play. Makes sense considering the author is both a poet & a playwright.
And just like a play each act is dramatic & epic. It's fantastical while also being ludicrous. Basketball & mythology? What? Now I'm spinning out thinking about whether athletes are demigods in disguise. Michael Jordan tell us the truth! To channel that level of power in human form is truly godlike.
Besides the fun side of it, this tale explores the abuse of power & the consequences of those that speak up against it. What really stuck with me was how it was the women who had to protect each other even though harm was inflicted on them. Kinda like in real life right?
I'll end this review with a quote which I think sums up this tale.
"What exact regime teaches males to take what isn't given?"
First reread in 2023 and all I can add is tw: sexual assault.
Second release in 2024 : I am glad Modupe got her lick back!
Written in three acts, the Half God of Rainfall is a lyrical, ethereal, dramatic & epic tale of gods, demigods & mortals.
It stars Modupe, a mere mortal, who is a causality of a wager between Sango & Zeus. A mortal who asks for protection for herself & her son. A mortal who will avenge herself.
I absolutely loved this epic poetry. It ticks all the right boxes especially if you love women led narratives, basketball & mythology. It kinda reminded me of American Gods the way it explored mythology. I really like the form which looked like a play but read like an epic poem with the three act structure of a play. Makes sense considering the author is both a poet & a playwright.
And just like a play each act is dramatic & epic. It's fantastical while also being ludicrous. Basketball & mythology? What? Now I'm spinning out thinking about whether athletes are demigods in disguise. Michael Jordan tell us the truth! To channel that level of power in human form is truly godlike.
Besides the fun side of it, this tale explores the abuse of power & the consequences of those that speak up against it. What really stuck with me was how it was the women who had to protect each other even though harm was inflicted on them. Kinda like in real life right?
I'll end this review with a quote which I think sums up this tale.
"What exact regime teaches males to take what isn't given?"
First reread in 2023 and all I can add is tw: sexual assault.
Second release in 2024 : I am glad Modupe got her lick back!
July 20, 2020
This rating is honestly probably more because of me than the book.
I found myself confused as to the whole world I was reading for a large portion of the beginning, which in a small book like this was a problem for me.
I also didn’t understand the inclusion of the basketball part of this book? That just really took me away from the more important themes of assault and justice.
Overall, I felt lost in this book, but I can see why others admire the writing. I did like the ending quite a bit.
I found myself confused as to the whole world I was reading for a large portion of the beginning, which in a small book like this was a problem for me.
I also didn’t understand the inclusion of the basketball part of this book? That just really took me away from the more important themes of assault and justice.
Overall, I felt lost in this book, but I can see why others admire the writing. I did like the ending quite a bit.
March 9, 2022
Well that was a surprisingly really enjoyable experience. I say “surprisingly” because poetry still intimidates me and I usually just expect it to go mostly over my head. I listened to this on audiobook where it was performed so well by the author. I was worried that I’d get lost in the poetry (especially listening instead of reading where I could go over things multiple times), but I think it was best experienced on audio where I could get swept up in the story and just have a reaction, not be intimidated into over-analysing every line.
June 2, 2019
Ellams through the use of Yoruba and Greek mythology shares the story of Oludemi Modupe “The Rainman”. The poem/play tackles a hard hitting subject, violence against women but also shows the beauty which can come from such circumstances.
The play unexpectedly challenged my thinking. When I’ve often thought of Yoruba Gods I’ve thought of them as being evil or associated with “juju”, yet when I think of the Greek Gods as enchanted beings to marvel over.
The play unexpectedly challenged my thinking. When I’ve often thought of Yoruba Gods I’ve thought of them as being evil or associated with “juju”, yet when I think of the Greek Gods as enchanted beings to marvel over.
June 25, 2019
This was very ambitious - uniting greek mythology with Nigerian deism and spiritual culture - i've never read anything like it, especially in this poetic form. Kudos to the author for the authenticity of the text. I did find it overall hard to understand and often got the characters confused however, which proved a stumbling block in actually enjoying the piece.
January 3, 2020
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn’t what I got. Told entirely in free non-rhyming verse, this is a tale that spans the ages and pits Gods against mortals in a war that has been waged since man began.
There is an amazing amount packed into very few words here and Ellams packs quite a punch with evocative and harrowing descriptions. It will take many Western readers out of their comfort zones, relying heavily on Nigerian and Ancient Greek mythology yet despite my unfamiliarity with the names and places, it still drew me in and carried me along.
Free verse not being my forte, this is not a book I would ordinarily pick up and yet I am glad I did. Simultaneously telling a tale of love and of vengeance, the female perspective of the ravages of God and of man are striking and harrowing. This is a quick read, but I suspect it is one that will stay with me for quite a time to come.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my free copy of this book.
There is an amazing amount packed into very few words here and Ellams packs quite a punch with evocative and harrowing descriptions. It will take many Western readers out of their comfort zones, relying heavily on Nigerian and Ancient Greek mythology yet despite my unfamiliarity with the names and places, it still drew me in and carried me along.
Free verse not being my forte, this is not a book I would ordinarily pick up and yet I am glad I did. Simultaneously telling a tale of love and of vengeance, the female perspective of the ravages of God and of man are striking and harrowing. This is a quick read, but I suspect it is one that will stay with me for quite a time to come.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my free copy of this book.
May 12, 2021
4.5 stars. "No. Zeus who is old as stars/thinks Earth spins for him, that he is entitled to/our bodies. He will never learn. Vengeance is ours." I'm not sure I knew what I was anticipating when I picked up this slim novella, but I definitely got more than I expected. This epic poem, in less than 100 pages, spins a tale of the Gods vs mortals, of violence and trauma against women, of the love of a mother for a son, and more -- all within a framework of mythology from Greece and Yoruba. If we had teens reading poetry like this, they would never want to put it down. This was riveting, action packed, powerful reading -- kudos to Ellams, I will look for more by him. Absolutely incredible.
April 14, 2021
Tw: Rape , Abuse
I love the way the Greek and African Yoruba mythology is actually intertwined in one story and it’s centered on a female character. I wasn’t really sure about going through because it’s written and narrated by a man but few minutes into it and I was sold by the narration. So inept and ready to call you to listen. It’s a poem or should I say collection of stories passing a message or telling the story of the gods and their lives navigating in the human world.
I love the way the Greek and African Yoruba mythology is actually intertwined in one story and it’s centered on a female character. I wasn’t really sure about going through because it’s written and narrated by a man but few minutes into it and I was sold by the narration. So inept and ready to call you to listen. It’s a poem or should I say collection of stories passing a message or telling the story of the gods and their lives navigating in the human world.
February 6, 2021
I'm impressed! Really enjoyed this short novella-in-verse that featured Nigerian and Greek gods and goddesses. Themes reflect on child-parent relationships, sexual violence, trauma, greed, and revenge in unique and authentic and satisfying ways.
Content warning: violence, rape, murder, vigilante justice.
Content warning: violence, rape, murder, vigilante justice.
June 30, 2020
this truly felt like an epic. the ties between modernity and mythology were so lovely, creating a story through verse that felt expansive and gorgeous. the story itself was so unique and unexpected, and i loved how strange the intersection of greek mythology felt. such a gorgeous and poetic story.
August 30, 2020
This was a genuinely original piece of writing. It took me a little while to get into the unusual writing style, but as soon as I did I realised its utter brilliance. Each word and character perfectly placed, nothing wasted. A perfect fusion of poetry and novel.
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