I recently finished reading “Blessings” by Chukwuebuka Ibeh and while it didn't leave me breathless, it was a solid middle-of-the-road read. The plot had some notable twists but the pacing was occasionally slow and unexciting. The fact that a friend of mine, whom I believe has great taste when it comes to novels, was head over heels in love with this debut novel piqued my interest, prompting me to read the book.
This book reminded me of the question I so eagerly asked my male colleagues in high school as a teenager, “how do you people survive in the male hostel” and their answers were always similar “we just do it”. High school male hostels back in my time were rough and parents always sent their kids there to “ensure they become strong men” just like the main character’s father did. What parents do not know is that many villain stories were created behind the walls of the male hostel. Many promising young men were battered and broken and those who managed to make it out alive must have lost an intricate part of themselves; their innocence.
About The Book
When Obiefuna's father witnesses an intimate moment between his teenage son and the family’s apprentice who just arrived from the village, he immediately sends his son off to an all male christian boarding school known for its strict rules, hierarchy, monotonous routine and devastating violence. Utterly isolated from his family, friends and loved ones, Obiefuna is forced to begin a journey of self discovery while still struggling to stay afloat in school.
Obiefuna's mother, Uzoamaka, on the flip side, struggles to hold onto Obiefuna, her first son, truest friend and bundle of joy. Entwining both the perspectives of Obiefuna and Uzoamaka as they go through different phases, Blessing is a meticulous story about growth, love and self discovery. Many thought provoking questions like the ordeal of citizens in the hands of powerful politicians and how to survive in a ‘routine’ world as a different person, emerged during the course of the book.
My Opinion and Evaluation
In my relatively brief but active reading journey, I've never encountered a book quite like Blessing. Its unique perspective was a breath of fresh air, and as someone who welcomes new insights, I truly appreciated its originality. The book stirred up a long-forgotten memory, transporting me back to a difficult period in my life that I had once struggled with but ultimately learned to come to terms with. A period I'd like to title ‘navigating the challenges of my high school boarding house’, which is a story for another day.
A few chapters into the book, I noticed the author's use of allusion which made it seem like he was actively trying to draw the reader's attention to other books by other authors. I checked out a few of the books and have added some of them to my to-read list.
Obiefuna was an epitome of survival and I got a bit emotional at some point. The struggles and neglect he had to endure, the inner battles he had to fight, the false pretenses, the heartaches and disappointments seemed too much for a sixteen year old. Obiefuna, being the endearingly innocent soul he was, managed to face all the challenges that came his way while still remaining true to himself. It was truly admirable to witness his transformation from a bewildered kid who was constantly seeking validation to a confident young man who prioritized himself and his happiness. This transformation is one many people do not successfully go through with.
The relationship between Uzoamaka and Obiefuna was indeed meritorious. The true and pure bond they shared was palpable. Although the strength of this bond was tested at some point, the importance of proper communication was proven once again as this was the one thing that helped to prevent the imminent disaster.
Alongside the many questions this book evoked, insights to human existence was portrayed. Why a certain group of people act the way they do, why people shouldn't be blamed for certain innate characteristics they possess, why humans should be less stiff and more accommodating. The list goes on.
Recommendation and Rating
With its fresh perspective and endearing characters, Blessing is a decent read for everyone from all walks of life. I'm certain that a lot of people can learn a thing or two from this novel as the book throws reasonable insight to certain topics that people overlook or tag as trivial. For a debut novel, it was a good read, hence my 4.0/5.0 rating. I hope to come across more thought-provoking and delectable novels in the future.