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Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad

Stories

Audiobook
2 of 2 copies available
2 of 2 copies available

The anti-rom-com debut collection that took Nigeria by storm, featuring twelve "bewitching and revelatory" (The New York Times) and "ridiculously entertaining" (Booklist starred review) stories about the perils and pitfalls of dating men in Lagos, from a rising star of Nollywood

"Sharply observational, funny and profound, this book is dynamic sociological satire that is as universal as it is specific." —Bolu Babalola, author of Reese's Book Club pick and national bestseller Honey and Spice

One night, you will calmly put a knife to your husband's private part and promise to cut it off. It will scare him so much that the next day, he will call his family members for a meeting in the house. He will not call your family members, but you will not care. You won't need them.

In this remarkable short story collection, Damilare Kuku takes us deep into the heart of modern Lagos, Nigeria's largest city, and the lives of a collection of audacious women who cope with romantic difficulties by brilliantly turning the tables on the men who wrong them.

One hardworking married woman calmly threatens sharp-edged revenge on her lazy, hypocritical husband. Another skillfully protects her own business interests by shielding her pastor-husband from allegations of cheating that may or may not be true. A group of wealthy wives deceived by their husbands join forces in a WhatsApp support group called the Virtuous Wives Guild. And a discerning dater fed up with Nigerian men makes a vow to date only oyibos before discovering that white men can act just as badly.

A bestseller in Damilare Kuku's native Nigeria, Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad is a raunchy, satisfying, and outrageous read steeped in the chaos and allure of sub-Saharan Africa's largest city. It's also a love letter to Nigerian women: the women in these stories may be confronted at every turn with liars, scammers, and cheaters in their quests for love, but they always figure out how to come out victorious.

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      March 4, 2024
      With this singular debut collection, Nigerian author Kuku digs into the trials and tribulations of dating and married life for women in Lagos. The frank “Cuck-up,” narrated in the second person, begins, “One night, you will calmly put a knife to your husband’s penis and promise to cut it off.” The narrator then attempts to convince her husband’s family to intervene and push him to work rather than mooch off her. When that doesn’t succeed, the couple’s financial woes build to an unsettling denouement—less Lorena Bobbitt than Indecent Proposal. In “The Annointed Wife,” the wife of a pastor accused of hiring a sex worker stands behind her husband, indignant at what she believes are unfounded rumors. Her feelings change after she learns more about his secret life. The dual narrative of “Catfish” follows an up-and-coming musician named Don Okoro who slides into the DMs of a woman named Dooshima. Sensing he’d prefer casual sex to a serious relationship, she ends up turning down his booty call, though he still manages to hurt her feelings. Kuku finds both hideousness and humor in her precise details and candid, voice-driven characterizations. Readers who have had their own share of bad romances will appreciate the realness on display. Agent: Charlotte Seymour, Johnson & Alcock.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Anniwaa Buachie and Thabang Makhubela combine forces in this hilarious short story collection filled with contemporary Nigerian women who are grappling with a range of challenges. From wives who regret their marital choices to those who band together against scheming husbands, this is a treat of a listening experience. Buachie's delivery is laced with a lyrical rhythm that infuses each character with a unique cadence and personality. Makhubela harnesses the melodic lilt of the Nigerian storytelling tradition to invoke the bustling streets of Lagos, the serene beauty of the Niger Delta, and the mystical folkloric tradition of that region.Their performances entertain, offering listeners a window onto the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of womanhood in contemporary Nigeria. M.R. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      September 13, 2024

      Nigerian writer Kuku's debut collection features 12 vibrant and frankly sexual stories about Nigerian women surrounded by philandering and exasperatingly unreliable Lagosian men. Whether they are contending with an unfaithful spouse, financial woes, or public scandal, the women--a pastor's wife, a bookseller, a writer--resist easy categorizations. While the men's behavior is often infuriating, the stories are peppered with amusing moments powered by the protagonists' outsized personalities and schemes. The closing story, "Independence Day," begins with a content warning for sexual abuse but ends on an empowering note. Ghanaian British actor Anniwaa Buachie and South African voice-over artist Thabang Makhubela narrate the collection. Buachie employs different dialects and accents to great effect, changing her tone to capture the characters' unique personalities. She deftly taps into the stories' emotional current, allowing listeners to feel the characters' sadness, frustration, and hurt. Makhubela's deep, resonant voice gives gravitas to the few men in the book with redeeming qualities. VERDICT A singular short story collection about Lagosian women grappling with romance, sexuality, agency, and betrayal. Share with those who are interested in emerging African writers and don't mind a dose of raunch.--Laura Stein

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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