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A review by 3littlewordz
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The subtitle for this book could be "Oh look! It's the consequences of your actions."
I immediately dubbed this a well-written trainwreck - so much happened very quickly and kept happening at breakneck speed. I haven't read a fast-paced story like this in a long time, and I appreciated needing to cover up the next sentence or paragraph on a page to prevent an accidental spoiler.
The sex was gratuitous but didn't seem needlessly gratuitous until the scene between Souraya and Ahmed in Souraya's bedroom. There are also loose ends I need answers to:
1. The sexual plot between Ijendi and Aima seemed... forced to me. Was there some type of interaction between them, some type of tension that would lead the reader to believe that this would happen? At my drunkest and highest this would have never happened between me and any of my friends.
2. What was the relationship between Thursday and the bartender? Why did he need to follow Ahmed to deliver this news? Was this planned by Thursday?
3. Did Ahmed find Ruqiyyah to demand an explanation (or worse) as to why Seun was even able to record the sex tape and attempt to blackmail Ahmed? Was Ruqiyyah in on it??
This would probably be great as a limited series on Starz...sex, violence, betrayal - it has all of it! There were several plotholes for me, hence my rating BUT I thought it was very well-written so I will check out more of the author's work.
I immediately dubbed this a well-written trainwreck - so much happened very quickly and kept happening at breakneck speed. I haven't read a fast-paced story like this in a long time, and I appreciated needing to cover up the next sentence or paragraph on a page to prevent an accidental spoiler.
1. The sexual plot between Ijendi and Aima seemed... forced to me. Was there some type of interaction between them, some type of tension that would lead the reader to believe that this would happen? At my drunkest and highest this would have never happened between me and any of my friends.
2. What was the relationship between Thursday and the bartender? Why did he need to follow Ahmed to deliver this news? Was this planned by Thursday?
3. Did Ahmed find Ruqiyyah to demand an explanation (or worse) as to why Seun was even able to record the sex tape and attempt to blackmail Ahmed? Was Ruqiyyah in on it??
This would probably be great as a limited series on Starz...sex, violence, betrayal - it has all of it! There were several plotholes for me, hence my rating BUT I thought it was very well-written so I will check out more of the author's work.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
If you are uncomfortable with discussions around sex work/trafficking, sex parties, or religious leaders grossly misusing their powers for evil, please skip this book.