First, Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde is bold!
Some points were teary—the good kind of teary! The mind would scream: She’s good, God!
Osunde writes in a way that keeps the reader in awe and gives shivers, akin to an addictive dose of adrenaline. It is very refreshing.
Vagabonds! follows the lives of several “vagabonds” throughout Lagos, obscuring the lines between the living and the dead – those driven underground by cultural conventions or by law, those who are poor, ghosts, queer, or otherwise unknown by day but appear at night.
The novel comes off as a collection of short stories, interconnected in mesmerising ways, though they may initially seem unrelated.
The story unfolds mostly in Lagos, where the city serves as a character in itself, taking on the role of a mythical, godlike figure that towers above everything and everyone. The city comes to life, and the stories of every character are bound to it.
Then, all through it, there are hints of Nigeria as it is, as it can be, and as it should be. Eloghosa addresses issues of gender/sexual identity and poverty, among others.
Subliminal. Surreal. Daring.
I often found myself pausing in the middle of my reading to admire the gold I had in my hand. The writing is complex and thoroughly enchanting, filled with narratives ranging remarkably from devastating to shockingly powerful to daringly absurd and unconventional. Emotions go from concern to fear, sympathy, happiness, and questioning society. Needless to say, it’s a lot.
I have scribbled all over my copy, going back and forth between previously read chapters and the one I would be reading, connecting some dots and making links.
As has been highly publicised, the book’s subject and themes might not appeal to everyone. Approach it with a kind, accommodating, open mind.
Oh, read between and beyond the lines. You might still not understand certain things. Come to social media and scream if you get overwhelmed 😅 and know you are not alone. It can be a difficult read (sometimes), but fret not—with something this rich, that’s bound to happen.
There is this audacity in storytelling and writing that makes the reader ask, “How could she?” and leave them with no choice but to dive in and let the book lead.
Without question, I know Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde will be one of my favourite books of 2022.
