Book Review: A Kind of Madness by Uche Okonkwo

 

Written by Safa Alhassan 

A Kind of Madness by Uche Okonkwo is a collection of short stories about literal madness. You know the saying, "Many are mad but few are roaming"? Well, that's exactly what this book feels like. That kind of madness that you can't quite place but deep down you know that it doesn't make sense. Have somebody ever done something to you that you just have to pause and ask yourself "what was she even thinking?" Exactly! That kind of madness. A kind of madness that we all indulge in, one way or another. We all think we are rational. It's always the other person out to get us. Somebody else is always the vilian in our story. Everybody is wrong but us. Very often than not, we as humans worship our ego. What would you call that abeg? Yes, it's madness. So you'll find this book very human, very raw and unfiltered. I couldn’t predict a thing about it. Speaking of unpredictability, do you know that at some point i actually had to ask myself "Wait o.. what’s with the book cover?" It has nothing to do with the book. It's just a weird picture of a snake. I love how mysterious that made it, I can't even lie, because even the cover didn’t give away what I was about to experience. But, if you think about it, maybe it's metaphorical you know. Humans, snakes.... hmmmm the irony. Anyway, If I had to describe this book, I would say it’s like water; soft and subtle but impossible to grasp. It’s tricky, sweet, savory, and everything in between. You see, the book A Kind of Madness is like having a conversation with a low-budget gossip that carries people's matter on their head but who is also too cowardly to own their gist with their full chest. After spilling all the tea, they’ll leave you with a little warning: "Don’t tell anybody o!". Ah! Just read on, you'll see yourself and few other people you know in some of the characters, trust me.

This was The Book Tribe’s pick for October, and I have to say, it was a beautiful and impressive choice. I would love to read this with our new generation kids and discuss their thoughts because I think it would spark some deep conversations. And, being the short story lover that I am, nothing could convince me otherwise. This is easily one of the best books I’ve read in 2024. Tell me, what better way to wrap up the year? But jokes aside, this book hit me hard. It was so relatable as a millennial, taking me back to my primary school days when life was perfect, and the only thing I worried about was homework. Reading it felt like I was an adult time-traveling to my childhood, finally understanding feelings I didn’t quite grasp back then. Some of them are still vague, but others make perfect sense now. Does that make sense? I hope you get what I mean.

The story Milk and Oil especially reminded me of my childhood best friend. It is set at the exact age I was when we became inseparable. We would sneak dolls into our backpacks and play with them during break, swapping bags just because your friend’s backpack is always cooler than yours. We would also play with my siblings and hers whenever she came over to the house. It’s just like what you’ll find in the book. Every bit of it captures the typical life of a young millennial, so don’t be surprised if you end up feeling nostalgic. Just have some tissues in hand. In a way, the book was telling our story. I honestly can’t pick a favorite from any of the stories, I loved them all. I laughed, I reminisced, and the ache of longing for childhood was real. Yet, the book brought so much sunlight into my days. I would wake up excited to read it first thing in the morning. It was full of positivity and made me reflect on so much.

The way Uche Okonkwo writes feels metaphorical, with subtle, intense, and thought-provoking layers. I feel like there are hidden clues in the book, only known to her. I had such a good time reading it, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing, laid-back read. Uche Okonkwo an incredible writer, and she has done an impressive job here. One small mystery was figuring out if Uche was male or female, since "Uche" is a unisex Igbo name. I couldn’t place the writer’s voice until I finished the book and looked her up. She’s a deep thinker and someone I will love to meet. I want to ask her why she wrote this book and understand the mystery behind this "water" of a book that I’m trying to catch in my hands. There’s absolutely nothing I would change about this book. I love it! It's subtle, quiet, and mysterious.