This book did not go where I was expecting it to from the synopisis, and I really appreciated what it actually did. A coming of age story set in 00s and 10s Nigeria about queerness, identity and family, this was a very moving read. The prose was simple and direct, which I think worked well for the story being told and it was accomplished and very readable, despite the hard events tackled head on. Although this could easily become a trauma narrative, the way it rested in the stillness and quieter moments of life, and built relationships between characters that were nuanced and complex stopped that from happening. The complexities of time and culture were well explored and I enjoyed the moments of love our main character was allowed. The sections from the mothers perspective were weaker however, and due to where the narratives went I feel like they didn’t quite make sense to be included.

This was a beautiful heartbreaking story about finding acceptance around who you are in a country that being who you are is illegal.

Obiefuna has grown up in Nigeria. When his father hires an apprentice from a local village his life changes. Soon after the apprentice arrives, Obiefunas father witnesses an intimate moment between the two males. His father banishes him to a Christian boarding school where strictness and violence rule. Despite being separated from his family and everything he knows eventually Obiefuna starts to flourish and beings to accept who he is. Alongside this view point we also have snippets from his mother, Uzoamaka, who wasn't informed of the reason her son was sent away but feels like she has lost her other half. We follows Obiefuna through school and into his early adult years where he finds love in a country that is further and further restricting his sexuality in the law. 

It's a story of loneliness, restriction and heartbreak, but also of love and finding your own path. It was a beautiful novel and I can't wait to see what Chukwuebuka Ibeh does next.

In this novel, we follow a young man as he navigates his sexuality and the shame that comes with it, firstly at a school where he is told people like him are an abomination, and then as an adult where he finds joy and release, but also shame at what he has done in his life to survive.

The opening passages of this book build to something fascinating and well told, but I did feel as if the later portions of his life were a little rushed in this story, although I enjoyed seeing a side we don't often see in these narratives- queer underground networks where love and joy are central.

After catching his son Obiefuna in an intimate moment with his apprentice Aboy, Obie's father decides the best path forward is to send him to a seminary. However, even at boarding school, Obie continues to grapple with his sexuality. His struggles deeply affect not only him but also his mother, Uzoamaka, who mourns the loss of her beloved son.

My heart went out to Obiefuna; he was denied the freedom to be himself, especially in terms of embracing his sexuality. Despite making some friends, he remained profoundly isolated, unable to fully connect with them.

Blessing offers perspectives from both Obie and his mother, Uzoamaka. While I appreciated Ibeh's choice of storytelling, the execution felt disjointed to me, hindering my immersion in the narrative.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it really interesting to learn about how queerness is perceived in another culture to my own. The only reason it isn’t 5 stars is because I found the ending lacking, it felt like it ended in the middle of a paragraph.

"A home is the last place a child should feel conditionally loved."

After witnessing an intimate moment between his son (Obiefuna) & his apprentice (Aboy), Obie's father decides that the best course of action for his son is to send him to a seminary. Obie continues to struggle with his sexuality whilst at his boarding school. Obie is not the only one to suffer, Uzoamaka, his mother, is struggling heavily with the loss of her favourite son.

I really did feel for Obiefuma, he was never allowed to freely be himself, and by "himself", I mean that he was never freely able to embrace his sexuality. He was extremely isolated, despite making some friends, he was never able to truly feel at ease within these friendships.

Blessings is told from the perspective of Obie & his mother. I thought this was an interesting choice from Ibeh, but it didn't work well imo as it felt rather disjointed.

I'm still unsure how I feel about 'Blessings' overall. Ibeh definitely has the makings to become an amazing author, but whilst the writing was decent, the pacing of the story was a huge issue for me, at times it felt that lots of words were flying about, but not a lot progress in terms of the plot.

Similarly, I felt the same in respect of Obiefuna's character development. This may be primarily due to his battle with accepting his homosexuality & his constant masking amongst his family & friends.

I can see why many rooted for Obiefuna in this coming of age story & went on to rate Blessings highly, but for me, I think this needed a lil more razzle dazzle to blow me away.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

"Numbed by tragedy, humbled by grief, he demanded little from life."

Thank you to @vikingbooksuk for my copy 💖

4.5 stars
"More than that, he had been haunted by monotony. Every breath he took felt like a taunt, every face he saw, every voice he heard too familiar, too reminiscent of what he had lost, reminding him too much of how altered his life had become"

Blessings, a beautiful and yet heartbreaking novel, is an absolutely outstanding debut from Chukwuebuka Ibeh. Following Obiefuna on his coming of age story through alienation and violence to self-discovery, whilst also intertwining with his mother's perspective, who is so desperately clinging to her relationship with her son. This sets up a wildly entrancing dynamic throughout the novel. Ibeh was also able to create such an environment within the book by which the readers heart cannot help but beat for the characters. With key themes of love, loneliness, grief, self-discovery, and homophobia, Blessings is a novel which begs the question of how free can one truly live their life, not only at a personal level, but much wider at the societal level.

"How do you begin something beautiful with the certainty of its end? You gave yourself over to love and lived the rest of your life knowing you never stood a chance."

If you get the chance to read this book, take it.

It's hard to believe that "Blessings" is a debut novel, it's so skillfully written.

Set in Nigeria, the story of a queer teenage boy is a very powerful and touching read.

It's beautiful, heartbreaking  and realistic at the same time. 

"Blessings" captures loneliness, homophobia and isolation. It's extremely difficult to read about a young boy scared for his life, for just being himself.

I'm sure many people are judging the main character's parents for being unsupportive of their own child. In my opinion they did the best they could to help Obiefuna, based on their knowledge and political situation. Let's not forget how conservative Nigeria is, especially that the novel is set just as the country criminalises homosexuality. 

What is the story about?

Obiefuna was caught in an intimate situation with another boy, by his father. Straight away the son was sent away to a Christian boarding school. All boys school, for that matter. Was it a wise choice?

Anyways, the school rules are very strict, the students need to stick to a routine and endure a never ending circle of violence. Some of them will be scarred for life.

Few years later Obiefuna graduates and moves on to another school, but the loneliness and the feeling of being misunderstood and abandoned doesn't end. 

I won't give you any spoilers but the ending broke my heart.

 The worst part of this story is that although it's a fictional novel, as you read this, there's so many "Obiefunas" in the different parts of world scared for their lives on a daily basis.  

Thank you @Netgalley for providing an ebook,

Obiefuna is a young boy, who loves to dance, growing up in Nigeria. When his father catches an embrace between Obiefuna and the newly arrived house boy, he sends his son away to a strict seminary.

There, Obiefuna begins a journey of self-discovery whilst battling terrible violence from the older boys.

Once again, this is a book without an ending. 😠 I was just getting to know and love Obiefuna and then….nothing!

Hence rounding down from 3.5 stars to 3 stars.

Ibeh weaves a poignant narrative that delves into the lives of its characters, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the challenges they face. The work centres around a young individual who grapples with complexities of sexual identity. Obiefuna goes on a journey of self-discovery, we are drawn into the inner turmoil, pressures and desire for acceptance that is so strong I think we all can relate a little bit. I really felt myself moved by the novel's tackling of isolation and themes of loneliness. The vivid descriptions added to this experience ten fold. The prose as well was so impactful I felt myself becoming so emotionally invested.

I think this novel does a good job at not shying away from the challenges when you confront yourself in a space where you don't necessarily feel accepted or understood. I would highly recommend this to everyone.

3.5*

Let me start by saying that Chukwebuka Ibeh is a very promising new author. He delivers a raw story in simple lines, yet chock-full of emotions. I have had to hold my tears more than once while reading Obiefuna's story. He made his was to my heart and that is always an accomplishment that speaks volumes about an author's skills!

You may wonder then, why have I given this just 3.5 stars? Well the "problem" with this novel is the sameness of the story. In general lines we once again have a story about a person who struggles with his sexuality in a country where you are not free to be whomever you are. The same problems/development at both family level and societal level that one has read in countless other novels that deal with the same issues. I felt that whatever unique elements the author added: like setting, particulars of Nigerian society, were just not enough to cover the commonality of the core story. I really love the beginning, for my interest to dwindle as I've realised where the story was going...

Ibeh should use his skill and advantage of coming from a different part of the world to deliver something we did not read before! I am really looking forward to see what he will deliver next!

This novel is beautifully written and heartbreaking at the same time.

Blessings is a coming-of-age story following Obiefuna in Nigeria. He is caught in a compromising position with his father's assistant, Aboy, and he realises that he is gay. His father instantly sends him to a seminary, keeping the reason for this secret from Obiefuna's mother and brother.

The novel follows his life at the seminary and into university when he meets his partner Miebi, the criminalisation of homosexuality in Nigeria in 2014 and what that means for their relationship.

Obiefuna's relationship with his mother Uzoamaka is beautiful and the novel really focuses on Obiefuna's loneliness, surviving a strict Christian boarding school and love. Stunning.

I found this to be an emotionally engaging read. It is so beautifully written. I felt such empathy with Obiefuna when he first feels attracted to Aboy but is punished by his father then sent off to a strict seminary. This is not the stereotypical story of abuse but rather a coming of age awareness of a young man. It has strong themes of family and friendship evolving throughout. A highly recommended read

"How ridiculous, how callous and absurd to expect perfection from a child."

Blessings is a debut novel delving into emotionally resonant themes. However, it falters on a ‘technical’ level. The result is a novel that lacks cohesion and is hampered by major pacing issues. While the author’s prose occasionally achieves a delicate balance between restraint and intimacy, it often stumbles over clunky sentences and stilted dialogues. Nevertheless, given that this is a debut, it is by no means a poor effort.

Set in Nigeria, from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, Blessings recounts the lonely and brutal coming of age of a gay young man, first at a Christian boarding school and later as a university student. Most of the novel details his experiences at the boarding school, honing in on the unforgiving hierarchies operating within it, where senior students wield power through physical and psychological intimidation. We first encounter Obiefuna, our protagonist, before his ‘exile’, when he’s still in Port Harcourt where he lives with Anozie, his disapproving father, Uzoamaka, his supportive mother, and Ekene, his younger brother, who, unlike Obiefuna, seems to effortlessly blend in with other boys, embodying ‘masculinity’ with ease. To avoid his father’s anger, Obiefuna has already begun to deprive himself of doing what he likes, for instance, he no longer dances, something he once loved doing. Yet, the arrival of Aboy, a boy around Obiefuna’s age who becomes his father’s apprentice, makes known, to both son and father, what had until then been a ‘suspicion’. As punishment, Anozie sends him to a boarding school, and Obiefuna has no choice but to acquiesce. Uzoamaka is left in the dark, and although she is told that Obiefuna is leaving home willingly, she knows that not to be true.

At the boarding school, Obiefuna struggles further with his sexuality, unsure of his feelings but aware of the shame and potential danger it poses. During his first year there he finds himself growing attached to a senior student, someone with a sadistic streak, capable of both affection and humiliating punishments. Under this guidance, Obiefuna learns to perform an accepted masculinity, straying further from his sensitive nature. Although Obiefuna eventually finds himself entangled with other boys, the furtive nature of their sexual encounters deepens Obiefuna's internalized homophobia. Authoritative figures at his school, like the chaplain, compound this notion of sexual pleasure as sinful, particularly when it deviates from the accepted heteronormative norms.

Intercutting Obiefuna’s grueling experiences at the school, we have chapters centered around his mother, Uzoamaka. She knows that her husband is not telling her the truth about the circumstances leading to her son’s enrolment in a boarding school, but Anozie refuses to tell her the truth. Their marriage is tumultuous, yet, although Uzoamaka chafes against Anozie's domineering nature, and stands up for her sons, she doesn’t have a lot of options besides to remain with him.
Several aspects of the novel's narrative structure could be improved. The ‘dual’ storylines, for instance, felt mishandled. If Uzoamaka’s chapters had focused on the early years of her marriage, and Obiefuna’s childhood, this would have made both her character and her marriage more well-rounded. Her bond with her son also could have had more room to shine. A focus on the past would have given the characters much-needed history, given that a lot of the time they come across as somewhat one-dimensional. It would have also added a layer of tension, and unease, given that, like Obiefuna, who is stuck at a boarding school, we wouldn’t know what was going on back home, and we would have experienced several reveals alongside him. Instead, we get these present-day chapters that are very repetitive in what they reveal about Uzoamaka. There is a plot point here that is portrayed in a way that lacks the emotional punch it should have had. If this had happened off-page, so that we only learn about them once Obiefuna is finally allowed back home, it would have been more emotionally resonant.

Obiefuna’s chapters themselves are repetitive, focusing on friction with other students – one abusive, another using him, and one betrayed by him. Although realistic, there was something slightly predictable about the way that he is shown to participate in the bullying of a fellow student. Sure, we can understand that to ensure his own self-preservation he takes part in this violent episode, but, the way the narrative depicts this and later on expounds on this scene, felt overstated, and adhered to a rather moralistic, lessons learnt, understanding of human nature. Besides that, these chapters revealed little about Obiefuna himself. The initial chapters set in the school give us an insight into the ruthless social hierarchies of the place, foreshadowing Obiefuna's need to protect himself from being 'known' in the upcoming years. And yet, the following chapters reiterate this to an excessive degree. Not only that, but the depiction of Obiefuna’s experiences at the school felt strangely myopic. In chronicling Obiefuna’s boarding school years, these chapters fall short as they neither provide a detailed portrait nor offer a comprehensive overview of this period of his life. Instead, they present a limited zoom-in, narrowing on a specific aspect of his experiences during that time. We learn little of his studies, of his teachers, and of his friendship with two other students, who remain little more than names on a page.

The final segment of the novel feels like it belongs to a different novel altogether, bringing to mind The Human Zoo by Sabina Murray(whereas the earlier chapters felt closer to An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon). A time-skip prevents us from seeing Obiefuna's character development firsthand, making this 'new' version of him feel like a different person. Yet, it is here that the novel presents us with more interesting character dynamics, as Obiefuna becomes part of a group of old friends, presenting him and us with different perspectives of queerness and love in conservative Nigeria. The contrast in tone between their early get-togethers—where they talk politics as well as chat about their past and present relationships—and the aftermath of a law criminalizing homosexuality (banning gay unions, lgbtq+ gatherings), is sobering. I wish this section hadn't been condensed into such a brief span, as there that proved far more compelling and nuanced than the somewhat dry, schematic chapters giving a partial account of Obiefuna’s school years. This part of the novel, featuring an adult Obiefuna, could have easily been expanded. Doing so would have allowed for a more in-depth exploration of Obiefuna's relationship with his father and brother.

Despite tackling compelling themes, Blessings makes for an uneven reading experience. The pacing consistently fluctuated between being sluggish and hurried, the mother-son dynamic was overshadowed by repetitive scenes that contributed little nuance to either the characters or their storylines, and the writing occasionally felt unsteady.

Nevertheless, the narrative does portray the far-reaching consequences of bullying on both victims and bystanders. It also delves into the loneliness, alienation, and dangers of homophobia, be it in personal relationships or on a broader societal scale.

'Blessings' is a brutal but moving novel set in Nigeria's recent past about the coming of age of a gay teenage boy. Obiefuna is sent away to a strict Christian boarding school after his father Anozie sees him embracing their apprentice. His father hopes that this will eradicate what he perceives as a sickness in Obiefuna, but amidst the discipline, violence and rigid hierarchies of the seminary, Obiefuna continues to experience a number of furtive relationships with other boys as he tries to figure out who he is.

Chukwuebuka Ibeh alternates between Obiefuna's time at the seminary and later at the university, and his mother Uzoamaka who, facing her own terminal illness, mourns the departure of her son. As she remarks to Anozie, 'It's one thing to love a child, but it's an entirely different thing for the same child to feel loved.' Later in the novel Obiefuna does find love but this is threatened by the increasing tide of homophobia and the criminalisation of same-sex relationships. At one point Ibeh muses, 'How do you begin something beautiful with the certainty of its end? You gave yourself over to love and lived the rest of your life knowing you never stood a chance.'

This is often an uncomfortable and upsetting read because of the relentlessness of the prejudice we see directed at Nigeria's LGBT+ community, but there is real tenderness in the way that many of Obiefuna's relationships are depicted in spite of this. Many thanks to NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this novel to review.

This heart-breaking, book is set in Nigeria in 2007 to around 2016 and follows the coming of age of Obiefuna, oldest of two boys, who lives in Port Harcourt, loves his mum and is doing well at school. His dad catches him having a "moment" with his male apprentice and off Obiefuna is sent to a seminary, seemingly based on a conolial public school, where, with the help of two of his room-mates, he learns to navigate the system and tolerate the environment. Homosexuality is not tolerated but lives are carved out in the margins, often through oppression rather than consent, and the only openly and provocatively gay student is punished in an act Obiefuna is complicit in through fear.

This environment and fear of being "other" continues as he goes to university and meets the older Miebi. They have what seems like a lovely relationship, although tensions start to rise in the chosen family Miebi has gathered around him and the political and legal situation in Nigeria becomes more oppressive. People have to make choices, and they're awful ones, but the consequences are, too. This book reminded me a bit of "Nervous Conditions" and with a shout-out coming to Buchi Emecheta, there's a similarity there, too.

The language is quite plain with not a lot of description and a clear Nigerian English voice comes through which hasn't been edited out thank goodness. Although the book is quite bleak and ends with Obiefuna back where he started, touring his old neighbourhood in something like despair, I'm glad I had the chance to read it and learn about the lives of LGBTQ people in modern Nigeria.

Chukwuebuka Ibeh's debut novel, "Blessings" is another entry in the wonderful Nigerian fiction that we have been getting in the UK and the U.S. the last few years. Obiefuna is an effeminate young man whose father resents him for being "a woman in a man's skin." After the father Anozie witnesses a moment of tenderness between Obiefune and another boy, Obiefuna is beaten and shipped off to a brutal school where he continues to be attacked.

The novel is quite brutal and infuriating, and it can be tough reading at times, but it's also extremely realistic. I appreciated Ibeh's honesty in looking at how the violence in Obiefune's life is connected to his sexual identity. For most of his life, the people meant to love him (like his father) have used violence against him. Ibeh contrasts that with his mother Uzoamaka.'s plight, and how she has very little self-sovereignty in a marriage and society where men rule/make the decisions. Ibeh uses the mother and son story to illustrate that it's not gay men and women who suffer in a homophobic country (Nigeria) where homosexuality is outlawed (and Nigeria is no different from countries like England and the U.S. where homophobes are doing their best to roll back protections for gays and lesbians)

The novel is a powerful reminder at how little has changed for gay men like Obiefune. It's 2024, and it's depressing that books like "Blessings" are so vital to an understanding of how cruel and unwelcoming the world can be for gay black men. A terrific debut from Chukwuebuka Ibeh.

"How do you begin something beautiful with the certainty of its end? You gave yourself over to love and lived the rest of your life knowing you never stood a chance."

Obiefuna is but a teenager when he develops a crush on the handsome young man who becomes his father's apprentice. But when Obiefuna's father witnesses a small, innocent but intimate moment between the two, he is whipped and shipped off to a missionary school hours away from home and the mother he loves dearly.

The school, in a town in Nigeria, is brutal – older boys routinely beat the younger ones like Obiefuna. Even here, he cannot deny his attraction to others around him. It's a secret he holds close, petrified of what may happen if someone discovers his blossoming desires, and in the process perpetrates violence against those who are like him. This, against increasing political machinations that would would legislate discrimination.

'Blessings' is a kind of coming-of-age novel that is both tender and heartbreaking. You can't help but love Ofiefuna's gentle nature and empathise with his attempts to fit in. Alternately told from both his point of view and that of his mother, Ozoamaka (the one person who completely accepts him), this book shines a light on the struggle that many in the LGBTQ+ community have to face every day in many African countries like Nigeria, where being anything but straight is illegal and commands brutality and even jail time. It is about the innate human desire to be allowed to carve out a space for yourself, to exist, to be free. It is about love and hate and the weight of family and societal expectations. A stunning debut.

When penguin reached out to me and asked was I interested in this as soon as I read the Synopsis I jumped at the opportunity and I wasn’t disappointed,

It follows Obiefuna who is caught having an intimate moment with a boy and being caught by his father who then sends him off to a Christian boarding school which is really quiet the traumatic experience for Obie, this book was so beautifully written very poetic and it had me upset at times especially when you got his mums POV I think everyone needs to read this book once in there life they won’t be disappointed it’s absolutely beautifully heartbreaking!

What to say about this book!!

Blessings follows Obiefuna as he grows up in Nigeria, but when his father catches him having a moment with another boy, he is sent to a Christian boarding school. The writing is beautiful: tender, sincere, and poetic. It grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go until the final page. It's not just Obiefuna's story though - it's his mother's as well. Though it is a queer coming-of-age story, her presence in the novel is no less important.

Chukwuebuka Ibeh is a name that will come to frequent my bookshelves.