Embracing the Tapestry of Truth: A Personal Reflection on Necessary Fiction
When I first came across Necessary Fiction by Eloghosa Osunde, I was immediately drawn to its promise of a communion with truths that resonate deeply. It was the notion of “necessary fictions” that caught my attention, begging me to contemplate the delicate balance we all navigate between what we hide and what we dare to reveal. Set against the vibrant and often tumultuous backdrop of Nigeria, Osunde’s stories resonated with me on a personal level, as if inviting me to sit quietly with these characters to share in their pain and joy.
Osunde beautifully crafts a tapestry of interwoven lives among cross-generational queer characters, each embodying struggles, love, and resilience. At the heart of the narrative is Ziz, the audacious entrepreneur whose schemes evoke both laughter and heartbreak, offering a lens through which we see the absurdity of survival in a world that demands constant reinvention. Accompanying him are poignant figures like Maro, who burdens the weight of his father’s legacy; Akin, the silent musician whose depths are echoed in sound; and the fiercely loving duo of Awele and Yesimi, whose teenage love story is both a tender bloom and a tragic journey.
One striking element of Osunde’s writing is her ability to blend humor with profound emotion. The characters’ dialogues are often laced with something deeply relatable. For instance, Ziz’s insight that “street na electric, anybody fit shock you” serves as a powerful reminder of life’s unpredictable nature. Such moments balance the innate struggles these characters endure, as they weave through the labyrinth of love, identity, and societal pressures.
I found myself particularly enchanted by Osunde’s lyrical prose, which pulsates with vulnerability and grace. The quiet moments of silence that she pays homage to — where “silence is music” — stood out to me, urging readers to consider the power of what remains unspoken. It was as if I was learning to listen not just to the words, but to the emotions that lay beneath them, transforming my understanding of communication itself.
One passage that resonated deeply was: “If you have friends, you have love. If you have yourself, you have love.” This thread of chosen family weaves through the novel, creating an intimate framework that celebrates human connection amidst adversity. The relationships between characters are fraught with complexity, yet they unfurl with a tenderness that reminds us of the beauty found in our shared experiences.
As I turned the final pages, witnessing Maro’s wedding and Awele’s reflection on love and healing, I felt a sense of closure that was both uplifting and sobering. Osunde encapsulates the essence of healing beautifully: “Wounds are not the only things we can respond to. We can also respond to how much love we’ve seen.”
Necessary Fiction is a rich feast for those who appreciate nuanced narratives, vibrant characters, and the intertwining of joy and sorrow. It’s a novel that invites readers to slow down and truly listen — to the words, the silences, and the stories of those who often wrestle with the weight of necessary lies.
For anyone intrigued by the complexities of love, identity, and the search for belonging, Osunde’s work undoubtedly offers a transformative experience. It’s not just a book you read; it’s a communion that lingers long after the last page is turned, encouraging us to reflect on our own necessary fictions. Thank you, Eloghosa Osunde, for this soul-stirring testament to the power of voice and connection.
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