I think I'm on a streak. Was just last week or so that I finished and gave a review of Americanah and already, I'm done with another. Two books, actually. Took me about three days to get done with this(hardcopy books make reading more fun and appealing to me).
I usually could have gone through this in a day, but, considering what slow phase I shared that I was going through, I think I'm getting my groove back.
Moving on...
don't you get excited by the title of this book? It's catchy.
Damilare Kuku's debut novel, Nearly all the Men in Lagos are Mad, is a collection of twelve short stories, each describing the unique experiences of different women in their relations and interactions with men in Lagos against the famous city's colourful backdrop. It features characters with unique stories that represent the diverse class, gender and ethnic melting pot that is Lagos.
The book comprises of stories describing the different kinds of men a lady is sure to meet at different points of her life. It talks about the struggle to find the perfect man.
It describes how a number of women from this modern society are willing to do anything to find a perfect man. Well, the book proves that there is no perfect man, you just have to pick one and build to
your perfection..
The writer uses Lagos as a case study, a beautiful city with different people from different races of life.
She outlines the different kinds of men in her stories including their flaws.
The author explored the intricacies of relationships. I had read in her acknowledgment that a mad man had hurt her so I understand there must have been a personal lining to her attempt in making all Lagos men mad.
The title is conveniently catchy and duly relatable. Rightly one of the assortments that come with the vivacious, fast-paced mega city is the potpourri of men and masculinity that it strategically dishes out. From gigolo to mummy's boy, to gay men deceitfully using women as shields, to the peculiar 'alpha male` who, for some suspicious reason, loves to role play as a litle girl during sex, to stereotypical energetic Lagos fine boy with a special interest in the city's crackling nightlife, and all the way to the endless cheats, the title of the book is sufficiently justified.
The title made me buy it. Not to mention the buzz online about it.
I stopped midway initially and I honestly can't say why. Picked it up again and completed it. It's a good read. Interesting stories that come with lessons. Stories that engage readers. A beautiful piece of Modern African Literature.
In the intriguing short story, I saw how she explored themes like: deception, homosexuality, low self esteem, narcissism and more. I was particularly gripped by the second to the last story in the collection, I Knew You. I saw there how much a person can lose because of the mistake of others. It is another reason I would preach that people should be certain they want to bring a child into the world before they do, at least this may guarantee their presence in the child’s life and do right by them. I enjoy to read love stories so it was amazing reading one although I already knew the author’s goal is to make all of them go sore and that was fine too.
My verdict is that the book is worthy of your time and you must pretend to believe the writer that there is no real love in Lagos though it is hard.
If you are someone who can't seem to finish books because of time or short attention span then I suggest you pick this one.
The short stories make it easy. You can finish one story at a sitting and read another next time. Different stories, different settings, worth the read.
Damilare Kuku is an interesting writer. I intend to read more from her. I mean, I already started reading her second book which has a far more catchy title than this and so far, it's been......just await a review, please. Thank you.
Images used are mine
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Greetings!