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Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Allow Me to Introduce Myself, Onyi Nwabineli (Audiobook Edition)
Title: Allow Me to Introduce Myself Author: Onyi Nwabineli, narrated by Nneka Oyoke Length: 10 hours, 8 minutes Genre: realistic fiction, mental health, african literature, lifestyle Published: 5-28-24 Ever since she was a chi…
Ever since she was a child, Anuri's life was chronicled and monetized by her influencer stepmother. Now an adult, she's finally broken free. But when her stepmother starts preying on her young half sister, Anuri decides she must stop the cycle of abuse. Really Good, Actually meets City of Likes in a stunning page-turner about overcoming toxic family and reclaiming identity and, ultimately, hope.
I am going to start by saying that my thoughts on this book seem to be quite different than other reviews. I took different things from here, which is quite common with books- they will give something different to every reader. Some may not agree with this assessment and that's okay. I encourage dialogue in chat.
This book was interesting and complex. Told in multiple narratives (though mostly Anuri's), we get to see how the blog changed the influencer and those around them. Anuri's pain, her loss of ownership of her own image and life, her fear of the same for her half sister; it cuts deep. Ophelia, who started out meaning well and spiraled... addicted to the outporing of love and the feeling of being seen (not to mention enough money to not have to work in her former profession) got away from her. Was she always a bad woman? Maybe not, but she was an addict- she needed that limelight, the constant approval, and other lives just... faded into the background. I will admit I had to buy a paper copy of the book as well and reread Nnkem and Ophelia's parts before fully feeling for them. After the loss of his wife, Nnkem was so lost- who wouldn't be? And Ophelia was so beautiful- so very good with the daughter he didn't know how to get close to. Of course he would love her, in his way, and allow her to navigate Anuri's interactions. He was... not a bad father all told... but confused and complacent. He just wanted peace and it was easier to not look too close- a very human trait. This book is about being broken, and what it takes to find yourself- to take control of yourself- again. It is painful, but also gives hope. There are severely flawed characters, and roads to growth.
This is a book where I didn't actually have a favorite character- I loved and was furious with all of them in turn- yes, even Ophelia. Anuri was pained and broken, she understood her issues but not always how to go about fixing them and very often got in her own way- relatable. We need AA, we need therapy (though this is a thing). You cheer for her- you scream at your book as she sabotauges herself once again. Your heart melts for Ophelia who loves Anuri, and seems to just want to make it easier for family out of the country to see her.... and then it begins to spiral and become... other. At which point you want to shake her, to stop her before she becomes the villian. You cry for Nnkem and his loss... and then you want to smack him for being weak and complacent- for allowing his daughter to be monotized. You love Simi, so strong and supportive, until you see her cutting her own wants and love life short to be more available to a woman that isn't weak, but needs pulled out of her own head. And then there's Loki- so supportive and soft, charming and loving- in love with the idea of love and terrified of allowing permanence.
The premise here- a former childhood influencer (who had no choice in the matter because... "child") tries to dismantle her past, fight her literal and figurative demons, and take her life back. That she has mixed feelings for her stepmother- the one that kissed her scrapes and simultaneously caused her trauma- is something she's going to deal with forever. How far do you go to take your life back- why does that even have to be something you must fight for? And what would you do to stop it from happening to another? Anuri's story- her journey- was spellbinding. This was not an easy read- it was painful and choppy. There were times where the audiobook overloaded me and I needed to reread sections. From the content to the actual flow of the book, this is a harder read; but it's worth it. I found it beautiful and left hopeful, and wanting to see what happened next. It wasn't that there was no closure, but that you weren't ready to say goodbye; which, to me, is a sign of a fantastic book. For me, this was a five star experience (though I do recommend both the audiobook and eBook or paper book to follow along).
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
As far as adult content goes, there's a lot. This book is obviously geared towards adults. There is talk of suicide, internet bullying, addiction, language, and semi-sexual content (no sex scenes but one job can have sexual connontation). I would say, seventeen and above? It was tastefully done... but it hits hard.
The book is out. Have you read it? I would love to hear your thoughts!
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