THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI

Nigerian-American author Akwaeke Emezi's lyrical and heartbreaking third novel is brought to life by the extraordinarily gifted pairing of narrators Yetide Badaki and Chukwudi Iwuji. This story of grief, family, transgender identity, and societal expectations is set in the turbulent political landscape of the late-1990s Nigeria. Iwuji depicts Vivek and his cousin and close friend, Osita. As the circumstances of Vivek's death are slowly revealed, Iwuji superbly expresses Vivek’s and Osita's desires, hesitations, and anguish. With her warm timbre, expressive phrasing, and delicate accents, Badaki is equally mesmerizing painting vibrant and authentic portraits of Vivek's relations and friends—including his determined, grief-stricken mother, Kavita, and his fervently religious Aunt Mary. An impressive production of an unforgettable audiobook. M.J. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2020]