Dark Neighbourhood

Don't take this rating too seriously. I think my brain was just too tired to take this book in, so much went over my head, sometimes felt like it is written in a language I just know a handful of phrases of. I think it is a good book, just not ideal in exhausting times.

If I had more hair it would be blown back. What a collection of daring prose! The risks Onwuemezi allows herself are inspirational. And this feels like a debut in all the best ways. She sets down a voice and style in the titular story (my favorite of the bunch) and then proceeds to explore the limits and range of that style throughout the collection. I think she finds some edges. There are moments in some of these stories that feel contrived, or if that isn't the right word maybe "an ineffective style to convey the emotional depths she aims for" is a better, if harsher, phrase. I don't think that's a knock, by the way. You can't take the kinds of chances she does without missing a few times and the misses are always interesting here.

What I can say is that I am excited about Vanessa Onwuemezi. A writer with this much courage and craft is bound to create a masterwork that is truly special as long as she keeps going. I can't wait to see what she does next.