What do you think?
Rate this book
A Kind of Madness
Set in contemporary Nigeria, Uche Okonkwo’s A Kind of Madness is a collection of ten stories concerned with literal madness but also those private feelings that, when left unspoken, can feel like a type of madness: desire, desperation, hunger, fear, sadness, shame, longing. In these stories, a young woman and her mother bask in the envy of their neighbors when the woman receives an offer of marriage from the family of a doctor living in Belgium—though when the offer fails to materialize, that envy threatens to turn vicious, pitting them both against their village. A teenage girl from a poor family is dazzled by her rich, vivacious friend, but as the friend’s behavior grows unstable and dangerous, she must decide whether to cover for her or risk telling the truth to get her the help she needs. And a lonely daughter finds herself wandering a village in eastern Nigeria in an ill-fated quest, struggling to come to terms with her mother’s mental illness.
In vivid, evocative prose, A Kind of Madness unravels the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings, and more, marking the arrival of an extraordinary new talent in fiction and inviting us all to consider the question: why is it that the people and places we hold closest are so often the ones that drive us to madness?
In vivid, evocative prose, A Kind of Madness unravels the tensions between mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, best friends, siblings, and more, marking the arrival of an extraordinary new talent in fiction and inviting us all to consider the question: why is it that the people and places we hold closest are so often the ones that drive us to madness?
208 pages, ebook
First published April 16, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 26, 2024
In a Nutshell: A collection of stories set in contemporary Nigeria, covering various kinds of “madness”, but not necessarily the one you would assume. I enjoyed the setting, the writing, as well as the content. Much recommended!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wouldn’t say that this collection of ten stories took me by surprise. Most OwnVoices African anthologies or story collections I have read have been outstanding, and I am glad that this book continues the positive trend.
There is no introductory or author’s note, but the theme of the collection is quite clear from the title and the blurb. The title highlights how a ‘kind of madness’ is the driving force behind these stories. The primary focus is on relationships, whether familial or societal. Expectations lead people to do crazy things, and that’s the kind of crazy we see haunting the pages of this brilliant book. The emotions behind the characters’ actions come out so well through the author’s pen!
What I especially loved is that the stories are NOT about literal madness. ‘Madness’ as a word has so many meanings: obsession, insanity, temporary craziness, weirdness, unsoundness of mind, foolishness,… The narratives span across many of these meanings, thereby proving how all of us human beings are mad at times. (Probably, most times!) Each story feels distinct in its style and content, because of which there was no sign of the fatigue that usually props up in themed anthologies.
There is a strong flavour of Nigeria in the writing, and by this, I don’t mean the Nigeria that the media shows us or the stereotypical negatives alone. We see the food, the culture, the beliefs, the parenting style, the social norms, and the gender-based requirements. We see the juxtaposition of the traditional with the modern. We see characters caught in tough circumstances, with their response deciding what will happen next. Of course, given the title, the negative features outweigh the positives in almost every story, but there is still a strength to the characters that attaches a sense of hope – often unfounded – even to dire circumstances.
Many short stories are made or broken by their endings. In this set, the endings are partially incomplete but not abrupt; only avid short fiction readers might understand what I mean by this line. The stories stop at the right transitional moment in the life of the characters, the point at which the main topic of the story is either settled or given up on. This isn’t a book you should pick if you want happy endings or settled conclusions. To me, the endings were perfect!
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the ten stories, only three stories ended up between 3 and 3.5 stars. The rest were all 4 stars and above. These were my top favourites:
All in all, this is one of the best story collections I've read in a long while. I love OwnVoices works, and this book shows how brilliantly an authentic voice can elevate our reading experience.
Strongly recommended to all readers of short fiction and all lovers of African or culturally-themed or OwnVoices fiction.
4.1 stars, based on the average of my rating for each tale. (If you are familiar with how mathematical averages work, you will know that this is an outstanding average for a story collection.)
My thanks to Tin House and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Kind of Madness”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wouldn’t say that this collection of ten stories took me by surprise. Most OwnVoices African anthologies or story collections I have read have been outstanding, and I am glad that this book continues the positive trend.
There is no introductory or author’s note, but the theme of the collection is quite clear from the title and the blurb. The title highlights how a ‘kind of madness’ is the driving force behind these stories. The primary focus is on relationships, whether familial or societal. Expectations lead people to do crazy things, and that’s the kind of crazy we see haunting the pages of this brilliant book. The emotions behind the characters’ actions come out so well through the author’s pen!
What I especially loved is that the stories are NOT about literal madness. ‘Madness’ as a word has so many meanings: obsession, insanity, temporary craziness, weirdness, unsoundness of mind, foolishness,… The narratives span across many of these meanings, thereby proving how all of us human beings are mad at times. (Probably, most times!) Each story feels distinct in its style and content, because of which there was no sign of the fatigue that usually props up in themed anthologies.
There is a strong flavour of Nigeria in the writing, and by this, I don’t mean the Nigeria that the media shows us or the stereotypical negatives alone. We see the food, the culture, the beliefs, the parenting style, the social norms, and the gender-based requirements. We see the juxtaposition of the traditional with the modern. We see characters caught in tough circumstances, with their response deciding what will happen next. Of course, given the title, the negative features outweigh the positives in almost every story, but there is still a strength to the characters that attaches a sense of hope – often unfounded – even to dire circumstances.
Many short stories are made or broken by their endings. In this set, the endings are partially incomplete but not abrupt; only avid short fiction readers might understand what I mean by this line. The stories stop at the right transitional moment in the life of the characters, the point at which the main topic of the story is either settled or given up on. This isn’t a book you should pick if you want happy endings or settled conclusions. To me, the endings were perfect!
As always, I rated the stories individually. Of the ten stories, only three stories ended up between 3 and 3.5 stars. The rest were all 4 stars and above. These were my top favourites:
🐍 Nwunye Belgium: An impactful take about how counting your chickens before the eggs hatch is nothing but a recipe for disaster. Loved the characters and the emotions in this story. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🐍 Long Hair: A story that begins with a simple jealousy and explodes into a nightmare. Loved the use of the first person in this one. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
🐍 Animals: Brilliant! Rarely does an author nail a short story written from multiple character perspectives! Loved how complex the characters and their emotions were. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐍 Eden: When two siblings discover some naughty movies, their young minds are filled with queries, forgetting the repercussions of their inquiry. I adored the poignant feel of this story. Never have I seen a story revolving around porn to be so emotionally charged! It also exposes the double standards of adults. Excellent! - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🐍 Burning: A sad story about a little girl who's caught up in the turmoil of her mother's mental health issues. Heartbreaking! I felt like entering the setting and giving the girl a tight hug. Some adults simply don't see their own shortcomings. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
All in all, this is one of the best story collections I've read in a long while. I love OwnVoices works, and this book shows how brilliantly an authentic voice can elevate our reading experience.
Strongly recommended to all readers of short fiction and all lovers of African or culturally-themed or OwnVoices fiction.
4.1 stars, based on the average of my rating for each tale. (If you are familiar with how mathematical averages work, you will know that this is an outstanding average for a story collection.)
My thanks to Tin House and NetGalley for the DRC of “A Kind of Madness”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 9, 2024
When I read the description of this book, I was immediately excited and much to my delight it was everything I hoped it would be and then some! I absolutely devoured it, once I started I just couldn't put it down and once I turned the final page the last story had me staring at the wall for a solid 20 minutes just processing it. The stories seem deceptively short and simple, almost minimalist at times, but they linger with a surprising staying power and demand that you sit with them and pick them apart in a particularly unflinching way.
The prose is smooth and Okonkwo's literary skills come across a polished and fine tuned and I'm a sucker for a nice prose so this one delivered the proverbial goods on that front.
This book isn't marketed as horror but I suspect a couple of the stories would appeal to fans of a more subtle and psychological form of horror (there are few things more horrifying than the human mind after all).
Long story short, A Kind of Madness was absolutely delightful.
Many thanks to Tin House Books for providing me a digital review copy of this book.
The prose is smooth and Okonkwo's literary skills come across a polished and fine tuned and I'm a sucker for a nice prose so this one delivered the proverbial goods on that front.
This book isn't marketed as horror but I suspect a couple of the stories would appeal to fans of a more subtle and psychological form of horror (there are few things more horrifying than the human mind after all).
Long story short, A Kind of Madness was absolutely delightful.
Many thanks to Tin House Books for providing me a digital review copy of this book.
March 27, 2024
ARC gifted by the publisher
This searing collection tells the stories of madness—the literal type and those private feelings that drive one mad. From familial and societal expectations, the sense of not belonging in one's own family, teenage angst and jealousy, insatiable desire, and the hypocrisy of adults, Okonkwo deftly explores the multitudes of madness via 10 unique stories.
I adored the vivid writing in MADNESS, which, through sparse yet potent prose, provokes a profound sense of grief and helplessness. Each story shares a distinct angle of "madness," and I'm utterly impressed with this collection. My favs are:
• Shadow: a lonely boy finds solace in his childless aunt and plans his "adoption escape"
• Animal: a chasm splits a family in half after a police encounter
• Milk, Blood, Oil: a girl with sickle cell disease, her overprotective caretakers, and her friend who grows jealous of the special treatments
• Eden: two siblings discover their dad's porn video collection
• Burning: a mom takes her daughter to different local shamans to "treat her disease"
This searing collection tells the stories of madness—the literal type and those private feelings that drive one mad. From familial and societal expectations, the sense of not belonging in one's own family, teenage angst and jealousy, insatiable desire, and the hypocrisy of adults, Okonkwo deftly explores the multitudes of madness via 10 unique stories.
I adored the vivid writing in MADNESS, which, through sparse yet potent prose, provokes a profound sense of grief and helplessness. Each story shares a distinct angle of "madness," and I'm utterly impressed with this collection. My favs are:
• Shadow: a lonely boy finds solace in his childless aunt and plans his "adoption escape"
• Animal: a chasm splits a family in half after a police encounter
• Milk, Blood, Oil: a girl with sickle cell disease, her overprotective caretakers, and her friend who grows jealous of the special treatments
• Eden: two siblings discover their dad's porn video collection
• Burning: a mom takes her daughter to different local shamans to "treat her disease"
April 16, 2024
A Kind of Madness, a short story collection by Uche Okonkwo, depicts life in Nigeria from several different perspectives. The stories focus on family, marriage, religion, culture, and the madness created by attempting to forge your own identity against these forces. Okonkwo's writing is straightforward and she quickly pulls you into each vignette. I felt like she didn't make you work to understand these characters. and this is important when writing with limited space. Their thoughts, feelings, desires, and insecurities are laid bare. I struggle more often than not with short story collections because I thrown in too many directions and have a hard time understanding what the author wants me to gain from the experience. That was not the case with A Kind of Madness. Okonkwo's words flowed seamlessly and I felt like I knew where she wanted my mind to go. Uche Okonkwo is a writer to watch out for.
January 11, 2024
Great and wonky set of short stories about madness and insanity and how people can spiral. Thanks for the arc
February 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review! Short story collections are always some of my favorite things to read, especially when the stories are somewhat unsettling. This short story collection was honestly even more than what I had hoped for. Almost all the stories were heart-wrenching, especially the ones that examined the bonds between mothers and daughters. All of the details in this book very so vivid, I honestly couldn't put this book down until I was finished with the whole thing. I applaud the author on her first published work and hope to see many more short story collections from her in the future!
February 13, 2024
3 stars - review coming late lol
To be released April 16, 2024, this upcoming collection of short stories by Uche Okonkwo dives deep into the lives of Nigerian women dealing with all sorts of feelings – from anger and sadness to shame and longing. With ten tales packed in, each story brings its own vibe, whether it's about a broke girl feeling jealous of her rich friend or a daughter wandering through town trying to cope with her mom's mental health struggles. Tackling themes of madness, both literal and figurative, "A Kind of Madness" serves up a poetic ride through survival and the tough stuff life throws our way. I did find that some of the stories were a bit dull (?), which I guess is the point; different levels of madness. It just felt like some of the stories could have been a bit more exciting.
To be released April 16, 2024, this upcoming collection of short stories by Uche Okonkwo dives deep into the lives of Nigerian women dealing with all sorts of feelings – from anger and sadness to shame and longing. With ten tales packed in, each story brings its own vibe, whether it's about a broke girl feeling jealous of her rich friend or a daughter wandering through town trying to cope with her mom's mental health struggles. Tackling themes of madness, both literal and figurative, "A Kind of Madness" serves up a poetic ride through survival and the tough stuff life throws our way. I did find that some of the stories were a bit dull (?), which I guess is the point; different levels of madness. It just felt like some of the stories could have been a bit more exciting.
February 7, 2024
The stories included in this collection have the common thread of exploring some kind of “madness”, whether perceived, clinical, obsession, depression, etc. Told from many different prospectives, including adults and children? All set in Lagos, it definitely gave a feeling of immersion. I would give the individual stories ratings between 3-4 stars, but overall enjoyable and interesting reading experience.
May 5, 2024
I though some stories had a real simple elegance to them. “Nwunye Belgium”, and “Long Hair” were especially great in their direct story telling. “The Girl Who Lied” was easily my favorite because it was a masterclass in show don’t tell.
That’s the great on the other side I thought “Burning” just kind of ambled along, “Eden” never really hit, and “Shadow” was meh….
It was a great start to get a sense of her voice and I’m excited to see what she does next.
That’s the great on the other side I thought “Burning” just kind of ambled along, “Eden” never really hit, and “Shadow” was meh….
It was a great start to get a sense of her voice and I’m excited to see what she does next.
April 8, 2024
Okonkwo's collection of short stories is phenomenal. The attention to detail in bringing Nigeria to life off the paper is stunning, and each character and location feels real and relatable. Okonkwo's style and prose are gripping, and her talent is palpable and consistent across all ten stories. The only falter I could put a finger on was that I couldn't emotionally connect as easily with some stories. While Okonkwo can perfectly paint Nigeria across every page, there are still some things as a white American that I find difficult to connect to, but this is not fully the fault of the author.
A Kind of Madness comprises 10 stories of madness. The reasons for these bouts of madness vary, but they all manifest in similar ways. For me, Okonkwo's stories seemed to feature one major cause though: desperation. Desperation for attention, for food, for love, for forgiveness, for God. For me, that was the story being told. That desperation breeds madness. But the beauty of Okonkwo's writing is I'm sure each person will take their own individual lesson away from these stories. Personally, the story that felt best crafted - and relatable - was Milk, Blood, Oil, but from reading the reviews it seems every person who's read it had a specific story that hit closest to home. I believe that's the beauty of Okonkwo's writing.
I highly recommend this collection of stories, as I was pleasantly surprised by the simultaneous simplicity and depth these stories had to offer. They are grandiose while also being just a drop in the bucket of each of these characters' lives and towns, they are meaningful and insignificant and I find that incredibly real and incredibly human.
A Kind of Madness comprises 10 stories of madness. The reasons for these bouts of madness vary, but they all manifest in similar ways. For me, Okonkwo's stories seemed to feature one major cause though: desperation. Desperation for attention, for food, for love, for forgiveness, for God. For me, that was the story being told. That desperation breeds madness. But the beauty of Okonkwo's writing is I'm sure each person will take their own individual lesson away from these stories. Personally, the story that felt best crafted - and relatable - was Milk, Blood, Oil, but from reading the reviews it seems every person who's read it had a specific story that hit closest to home. I believe that's the beauty of Okonkwo's writing.
I highly recommend this collection of stories, as I was pleasantly surprised by the simultaneous simplicity and depth these stories had to offer. They are grandiose while also being just a drop in the bucket of each of these characters' lives and towns, they are meaningful and insignificant and I find that incredibly real and incredibly human.
April 16, 2024
This debut collection explores the complicated emotions of family, friendship, and cultural expectations in modern-day Nigeria. From trying to climb the social ladder through marriage or ministry or ignoring the class differences between two young friends, Okonkwo uses grace and care to highlight human error and attempts for progress, even if misguided, that drive so many forward in the pursuit of a better life.
This collection fits the tradition of other Nigerian fiction I’ve read. The culture does shine through in practice, though I would have liked a stronger sense of the environment. Based on the title and description - hinging so heavily on madness - I went into this expecting a collection going for the fringes while exploring the raw elements of humanity. You know, one of those "weird" story collections that's a wild ride. This is not that. The “madness” is light and subtle.
The majority of the stories are driven from the perspective of children and I found this an interesting choice. I had a harder time getting into their narratives. There’s something that is almost too precious with them. The stories that weave in adults and their more complicated problems are more memorable.
I’m happy to have experienced Okonkwo’s as a new literary voice and look forward to her future work, hopefully with a bit more meat on the bones. I do think plenty of readers will find this collection enjoyable. If you vibe with books that take a more tender approach to tension and trauma, like PURPLE HIBISCUS, consider picking this up. Thanks to Tin House for the ARC!
This collection fits the tradition of other Nigerian fiction I’ve read. The culture does shine through in practice, though I would have liked a stronger sense of the environment. Based on the title and description - hinging so heavily on madness - I went into this expecting a collection going for the fringes while exploring the raw elements of humanity. You know, one of those "weird" story collections that's a wild ride. This is not that. The “madness” is light and subtle.
The majority of the stories are driven from the perspective of children and I found this an interesting choice. I had a harder time getting into their narratives. There’s something that is almost too precious with them. The stories that weave in adults and their more complicated problems are more memorable.
I’m happy to have experienced Okonkwo’s as a new literary voice and look forward to her future work, hopefully with a bit more meat on the bones. I do think plenty of readers will find this collection enjoyable. If you vibe with books that take a more tender approach to tension and trauma, like PURPLE HIBISCUS, consider picking this up. Thanks to Tin House for the ARC!
February 21, 2024
Thank you to Uche Okonkwo, Tin House, and Netgalley for the digital ARC copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This book will/should publish April 16, 2024.
This collection of stories was unlike anything I have ever read. I was engrossed from the very first story. These stories each so unique in themselves and collectively to the different manifestations of madness. I loved the characters and cultural emersion with each story. So different yet relatable and easy to follow. The way in which each story had a different family relationship highlighted and the struggles within that relationship and pull. To question what we wouldn't do for our relationships and just how close we all are to 'madness'. It seemed to me, these stories were hovering on the edge of horror and had me eagerly turning the next page.
The writing was beautiful and there were some beautiful quotes. There were some odd capitalizations and formatting errors that were a bit distracting but didn't take away from the stories. I will keep an eye out for further works from this author.
This collection of stories was unlike anything I have ever read. I was engrossed from the very first story. These stories each so unique in themselves and collectively to the different manifestations of madness. I loved the characters and cultural emersion with each story. So different yet relatable and easy to follow. The way in which each story had a different family relationship highlighted and the struggles within that relationship and pull. To question what we wouldn't do for our relationships and just how close we all are to 'madness'. It seemed to me, these stories were hovering on the edge of horror and had me eagerly turning the next page.
The writing was beautiful and there were some beautiful quotes. There were some odd capitalizations and formatting errors that were a bit distracting but didn't take away from the stories. I will keep an eye out for further works from this author.
April 27, 2024
I bought the collection based on the endorsements from some of my favorite writers: Fofana, Bulawayo, Holt, Arimah, and Obioma. And their praise is justified. The characters in Okonkwo's stories contend with enormous pressure in the form of community expectations, familial strife, and the raw struggle for survival—and yet their inner worlds are realms of imaginative expansiveness and emotional depth. Okonkwo writes with great wit and insight of the machinations of people who are trying to hold their heads up in a society that can be quick to judge but slow to help those in need. She excels in portraying the love and tension of intimate relationships—between mothers and daughters, siblings, school friends, and spouses. In particular, she writes with a special compassion for children, attuned to the sensitivity with which they experience the world. Despite the high stakes, there are plenty of moments of tenderness and humor. A well-rounded, superb set of stories from a writer with a bright future!
May 30, 2024
I’d read the full length version of every one of these stories!
Jealousy, religious fanaticism, grief, pride, identity issues, expectations about gender roles, sex & sexuality, neglect …the stories touch on a range of issues!
The characters are interesting and tales of their “madness” / mental health issues so subtly described and tailored around mundane life experiences that one is left thinking about them long after the pages have been turned. As you’re reading one might even question parts of one’s own “madness.”
The last story “Burning” is well written, it’s heavy, so very sad, and packs a punch - “[10 year old] Adanna knows that when she swallows her mother’s Jollof rice, it will slide down her throat, warm and easy like an old lie. It will settle in the pit of her stomach like it belongs there.”
Jealousy, religious fanaticism, grief, pride, identity issues, expectations about gender roles, sex & sexuality, neglect …the stories touch on a range of issues!
The characters are interesting and tales of their “madness” / mental health issues so subtly described and tailored around mundane life experiences that one is left thinking about them long after the pages have been turned. As you’re reading one might even question parts of one’s own “madness.”
The last story “Burning” is well written, it’s heavy, so very sad, and packs a punch - “[10 year old] Adanna knows that when she swallows her mother’s Jollof rice, it will slide down her throat, warm and easy like an old lie. It will settle in the pit of her stomach like it belongs there.”
February 25, 2024
This wonderful short story collection provides an inside look into the lives of Nigerian women and of the bonds - at once fragile and intractable - of mothers and daughters and of childhood friendships and alliances. In these stories, children learn to trust and to distrust the adults in their lives, and place hope over and over again in friends who not only disappoint but who are openly cruel. Learning how to survive the many hurts and slights of childhood as a young woman is core to these stories. Readers, especially women, regardless of country or class, will recognize the sharp sting of rejection and betrayal, the ways we reach out for attention while forgetting to protect our own hearts, how fickle is the open-ended contract of friendship and love.
May 26, 2024
This book pulled me out of my reading slump! A Kind Of Madness by Uche Okonkwo is a story collection set in Nigeria, focusing on “madness” in the complex ways it appears across characters and their experiences. Some stories are more direct, like the first story where rumors of family history break down a young girl daughter’s social prospects. In other stories, it is in the layered and sometimes secret motivations of the characters—-rooted in shame, trauma, jealousy, and difference. And embedded in each story is a sense of pride, or negotiation of how to maintain pride (personal, familial).
Okonkwo gives us fully developed people and relationships in just a handful of pages; I haven’t read stories that felt so complete in a long time.
Okonkwo gives us fully developed people and relationships in just a handful of pages; I haven’t read stories that felt so complete in a long time.
January 20, 2024
I love collections of short stories and this one was no exception. It started out as relatively innocent stories with no clear connection but as I progressed further into the book I could tell there was a theme of mental illness and psychological horror. The characters in each story endure incredible emotional and physical trials which leave the reader on the edge of their seat, hoping that there would be a happy ending. As the title suggests, the book evolves into a little bit of madness by telling the stories of many residents of Nigeria. I enjoyed reading this book and had to have time to process after completing each story.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
March 14, 2024
This collection of short stories is a quick and easy read, but the emotions and thoughts they illicit will last a while longer. From the moment I opened the book I was transported to different households, schools, neighborhoods within Nigeria - each rich with characters battling a kind of madness in their lives. Okonkwo’s clear prose makes the stories easy to read though the subject matter may take a bit to digest. I was left pondering her stories for a while after finishing the last page.
Thanks to Tin House for providing me with an advance reader’s copy! I look forward to reading Okonkwo’s future work.
Thanks to Tin House for providing me with an advance reader’s copy! I look forward to reading Okonkwo’s future work.
February 13, 2024
Coming April 16, 2024 this short story collection by Uche Okonkwo intersects stories of Nigerian women who navigate feelings of anger, sadness, shame and longing. These ten stories vary in their tone and mood from the story of a poor girl stinging with envy for her vivacious rich friend, to the tale of a daughter who wandering through a village trying to come to terms with her mothers mental illness. Speaking to madness both literal and figurative, “A Kind of Madness,” is a poetic series of survival and strife.
January 21, 2024
I absolutely adored this series of stories from Uche Okonkwo. This collection was filled with some truly beautiful quotes and memorable motifs. Each story perfectly told of "a kind of madness" and shed light on a new culture while being incredibly relatable at the same time. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys short stories and character-driven narration. Thank you to Tin House Books for the advance digital copy!
March 9, 2024
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
For the most part, I enjoyed this collection. Sometimes short story collections have a few that drag or feel like filler but this felt like an intentional and thoughtful collection. Some stories weren’t as memorable as others but I think they all fit together nicely.
My favorite was “The Girl Who Lied.” Considering how short it was, the author was able to convey both characters so clearly.
For the most part, I enjoyed this collection. Sometimes short story collections have a few that drag or feel like filler but this felt like an intentional and thoughtful collection. Some stories weren’t as memorable as others but I think they all fit together nicely.
My favorite was “The Girl Who Lied.” Considering how short it was, the author was able to convey both characters so clearly.
March 10, 2024
I was instantly reeled in upon reading the first story, which ended up being one of my absolute favorites in this collection. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down and finished the book in a matter of hours. I look forward to reading more work by this author now after being delighted by these stories.
March 28, 2024
Thank you to Tin House for the gifted ARC
Nigerian author Uche Okonkwo centers this collection of stories in the home lives of Nigerians of multiple classes. Through these stories of family, selfishness, self preservation, and mental health we see the threads that bind humanity. Okonkwo centers food and food preparation into most of these stories, and while I was not familiar with many of the dishes discussed, the writing made me desperate to try pepper soup and jallof rice. Many stories focus on the POV of children, many under the age of 10, but moving up into adulthood, and how family structures affect children’s mental health. This is an engaging collection that will challenge the reader.
April 12, 2024
This was a great collection of short stories. I appreciated how the writer stayed true to Nigerian traditions. The premise of each story delving into a different type of insanity or showing how one can spiral deeper and deeper was appealing. Thanks to Goodreads giveaways and the Author for this ARC.
Read
May 30, 2024I loved these stories. Each one was sharp and engaging right off the bat, with characters that felt whole and developed. I loved how many of the stories were told through a child's point of view, with the maturity of adulthood present in the background but never overpowering. I look forward to reading more from Uché Okonkwo in the future.
Read
June 10, 2024wonderfully nostalgic and structurally sound. the stories are evocative and clever. I enjoyed most of them, but wanted a bit more, wanted it to tug at my understanding and ideas of the world a bit more (for the ideas in the story to stretch beyond the story)
July 10, 2024
Very grateful to have received an ARC of this delightful book from a Goodreads giveaway. Each story was so descriptive, insightful, and unique. I felt as if I was actively "in" each story. A truly gifted writer, and I look forward to reading more of this amazing talent!
March 9, 2024
A profound and character driven short story collection set in Nigeria.
April 17, 2024
From the first story I was drawn in to A Kind of Madness set in Nigeria the writing the characters the storyline kept me turning the pages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews