The Death of Vivek Oji Part 1: Are We White Men?

Explicit content warning

09/27/21 • 34 min

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In Part 1 of their coverage of Akwaeke Emezi’s “The Death of Vivek Oji”, Élaina and Sophia confront their limits as readers and discuss the benefits of reading a book that is not written for them. Oh, and get ready to break down the violent structure of normativity in this novel (because we know how to party).

CW: homophobia, ableism, intra-family relationships

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You can follow Bookshelf Remix on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @bookshelfremix and you can support the podcast by becoming a monthly supporter at www.ko-fi.com/brpod. Transcripts also live on our Ko-Fi page for free.

You can follow Élaina @ElainaGMamaril on Twitter, @spinoodler on Instagram and check out her work at www.elainagauthiermamaril.com, and by listening to Philosophy Casting Call.

You can follow Sophia @themetropolitanist on Instagram, @metropolitanist on Twitter, and on her website www.maisonmetropolitanist.com.

CW: homophobia, ableism, intra-family relationships

Please rate and review Bookshelf Remix wherever you listen to podcasts as this helps other people find the show.

You can follow Élaina @ElainaGMamaril on Twitter, @spinoodler on Instagram and check out her work at www.elainagauthiermamaril.com, and by listening to Philosophy Casting Call.

You can follow Sophia @themetropolitanist on Instagram, @metropolitanist on Twitter, and on her website www.maisonmetropolitanist.com.

Previous Episode

The City We Became Part 2: New York Personified

In this episode, Élaina and Sophia explore the different personalities of the boroughs and reflect on the role of Staten Island in the plot. They consider the instability of race in the U.S. and how Jemisin's book plays with that history. And, as always, Élaina and Sophia share their thematically related book recommendations as they wrap up their discussion of this genre-bending novel.

Please rate and review Bookshelf Remix wherever you listen to podcasts as this helps other people find the show.

You can follow Élaina @ElainaGMamaril on Twitter, @spinoodler on Instagram and check out her work at www.elainagauthiermamaril.com, and by listening to Philosophy Casting Call.

You can follow Sophia @themetropolitanist on Instagram, @metropolitanist on Twitter, and on her website www.maisonmetropolitanist.com.

Next Episode

The Death of Vivek Oji Part 2: Is This the Perfect Novel?

In Part 2 Sophia and Élaina discuss the community that surrounds Vivek and the way living his and later her truth creates a chosen family; Osita’s toxic masculinity in relation to his queerness; Nnemdi living her truth, her friends finding their authenticity, and the many facets of “the death” of Vivek Oji.

CW: homophobia, ableism, intra-family relationships, transphobia

Please rate and review Bookshelf Remix wherever you listen to podcasts as this helps other people find the show.

You can follow Élaina @ElainaGMamaril on Twitter, @spinoodler on Instagram and check out her work at www.elainagauthiermamaril.com, and by listening to Philosophy Casting Call.