WINDOWS | BOOK REVIEW

10.04.20

BLURB :

‘windows’, the debut collection from Jesutomisin Ipinmoye, serves a chance to peer into the collective experiences that make us human, from our pain and loss to our hope and drive, all while underlining the human capacity for tremendous good and evil. the collection vibrates between different slices of life across Nigeria, all while telling the stories from the point of view of otherworldy observers, fascinated by what they see while unable to interfere. from exploring the complex relationships with an abusive father and his family to the tale of a man who in a drunken haze recounts to the police the story of how he was found in a park, with the dead body of the man who slept with his wife. so follow along and peer into the windows! (Goodreads)

“You like the attention. It’s nice to be wanted.”

Windows by Jesutomisin Ipinmoye

Title: Windows
Author: Jesutomisin Ipinmoye
Genre: Short stories , Poetry
Goodreads rating: 5.00
Pages: 172 pages
Publication: 29 July , 2020 by Independently Published
Source: Jesutomisin Ipinmoye
Reading Format: Softcopy
Standalone/Series: Standalone

My Rating : 4 stars

REVIEW TIME

Firstly, Thank you to Jesutomisin for the softcopy of this book that you have written.

This is a collection of short stories entwined with poetry. Yes! It feels like you are reading a poem and next thing you know , it’s a short story. There are so many issues highlighted in this book all in connection to our daily lives in my country , Nigeria and also the world. The author will draw you in naturally and the swiftness in taking you from culture to culture is like I always say , Unmatched.

A story of why you should love the color of your skin no matter what and how light skin privilege is actually a thing in Nigeria. The ups and downs of this particular character and what she is faced with. In a country where in the midst of black people , black is still considered ugly hence the squabble for lightening creams to make you feel better.

Slut shaming women another issue and the problem most of us women have faced in the past , or even now. Maybe even in the future. The urge to feel wanted yet rejected all in one book.

Male privilege is also highlighted in this book and how these men can feel while using their so called privilege to feel important in the society.

Religious fanaticism plays a beautiful role in some of the story and how people choose to glorify the leaders even more than God all while practicing hypocrisy. It also highlights the people who hide under the umbrella of religion to commit disastrous atrocities and use the name of God to cover it up.

Moving into it , we even meet the Tribal crisis that happen in our country and it’s timed way back so you can see for your self how gruesome some of these stories are and how well the author lets us see the characters.

Humanity plays a beautiful role in this book and that would be one of my favorite parts of the stories in the book.

Moral lessons are drawn from the book especially in the case of looking down on others without even knowing who is who and when it’s the individuals time to shine.

The longest of the short stories even follows a movie like form of a “Who killed chief” situation and definitely a lot of codes to crack. It’s even more intriguing because you will laugh when the code is finally cracked or might as well stare into oblivion because what was that?

It still doesn’t sit properly so he takes it off, revealing himself to be the Inspector.

I wonder what this means he he he …

The story of love and sacrifice to melt that heart of yours and every other bittersweet emotion that you have bottled up all in one book.

Sometimes , the story felt a bit in my face and not really a bad thing but felt like moving in circles.

Some of my favorite parts in the book ;

“but all the same, some of us became attached to these impermanent creatures. we watched through windows, made of soil and roots.

we watched as the weak needle of life stitched together and death’s rusty razor did undone.

we resigned ourselves as invested spectators

peering. seeing. laughing.

we watched.

we pulsed.

we breathed.

through the windows.”

“Am I not enough?

No, I’m not fucking manic.

No, I’m not crazy.

I don’t need fucking drugs to tell you that you don’t fucking love me.

I can see that perfectly well as is.

Fuck you.”

“A boy.

He came out in a fit, screaming and thrashing.

That was until he saw his mother’s face.

Then calm.

He was arrested.

Just like me.”

I’m sure you are already enjoying the book. That’s why you should go and get it to enjoy what I just enjoyed and make sure to take it in slowly.

Visit the authors page : Jesutomisin ⭐️

I hope we enjoyed the review and will get the book.

Ernestine.