Akwaeke Emezi’s “The Death of Vivek Oji” Part 2

Explicit content warning

04/08/21 • 102 min

Welcome back, literary listeners, to another episode of the Colored Pages Book Club! Join us as we finish the second half of Marci’s wonderful, amazing, and tragic pick, The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi! Yes, tune in as we talk about the crown jewel of Crayola crayon packs, our Sesame Street/Netflix young adult television pitch, “Juxtaposition and Friends”, as well as the intersection of affection, attraction, expectations, and shame!

Intro: 00:20 – 17:15

Summary: 17:30 – 58:15

Discussion: 58:25 - 1:43:00

In the discussion section, we briefly mentioned "She of the Mountains" by Vivek Shraya and "He Mele A Hilo: A Hilo Song" by Ryka Aoki. Check out that collab and interview here:

She of the Mountains with Books and Boba

He Mele A Hilo - A Hilo Song Interview with Ryka Aoki

Also correction: Nigeria has over 100 million people--not 60 million, so even more than Ako estimated!

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Intro: 00:20 – 17:15

Summary: 17:30 – 58:15

Discussion: 58:25 - 1:43:00

In the discussion section, we briefly mentioned "She of the Mountains" by Vivek Shraya and "He Mele A Hilo: A Hilo Song" by Ryka Aoki. Check out that collab and interview here:

She of the Mountains with Books and Boba

He Mele A Hilo - A Hilo Song Interview with Ryka Aoki

Also correction: Nigeria has over 100 million people--not 60 million, so even more than Ako estimated!

Previous Episode

Akwaeke Emezi's "The Death of Vivek Oji" Part 1

Hey cinnamon buns! Your favorite cheddar bay biscuits are back with another episode, this time talking about the deeply emotional and tragically beautiful story, "The Death of Vivek Oji" by Akwaeke Emezi! For those reading along, we read up to Chapter 13! Have a snack and kiki with us as we talk about Osita's not girlfriend, the spaces where we feel the most understood, and what gender liberation looks like!

Intro/Icebreaker Question: 2:03 - 13:22

Plot Summary: 13:47 - 41:10 (Content warning: mention of sexual violence and conversion therapy)

Discussion: 41:28 - 1:16:34

In the discussion section, we mentioned "She of the Mountains" quite a bit and briefly mentioned "Blacktop Wasteland". Check out those collabs here:

She of the Mountains with Books and Boba

Blacktop Wasteland with Shelf Addiction

Next Episode

Rena Barron's "Kingdom of Souls" Part 1

Hey frennnn! Your favorite tofu scrambles are back for another episode of this MESS lol. This week, we dive into the West African-inspired, YA fantasy novel Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron! We talk about everything up until Chapter 20! Grab your favorite snacks while we discuss the cost of magic, Arti's poor timing, and, naturally, the THIRST between Arrah and Rudjek.

Intro/Icebreaker Question: 5:27 - 18:05

Plot Summary: 18:38 - 1:00:20

Discussion: 1:00:41 - 1:30:03