The Sound Souls Make When They Die by Chinemefun Chimuanya

Unlike many trauma-centered stories that leave you feeling frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed by grief, this book offers true resolution.

“Closure isn’t something another person gives you. It’s something you find within yourself.”

At first glance, the title might make you want to pick up your shoes and run, especially if you tend to avoid stories centred on heavy trauma. In fact, reading the trigger warning page made me prepare myself for a heart-wrenching, harrowing journey similar to Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo.

But that is precisely where this novel surprises you.

Synopsis

Despite its heavy themes, The Sound Souls Make When They Die is a genuinely lovely, deeply fulfilling read. Unlike many trauma-centered stories that leave you feeling frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed by grief, this book offers true resolution. It doesn’t leave you hanging; it gives you a settled heart and a genuine sense of closure.

The story navigates the profound and often painful themes of death, suicide, depression, guilt, and loneliness. It follows Zara through a long journey of grieving and recovery. It is shocking how easily the novel pulls you in: you enter thinking the trigger page was a false alarm, and suddenly you are plunged into a very real, dreary place.

Thoughts

The narrative powerfully illustrates that depression isn’t something to hide away or be ashamed of, but something to be talked through with people who love you. It emphasises that before any healing can begin, one must first acknowledge that something is wrong.

The book also highlights that there is no shame in seeking professional help or entering a psych ward to break free from the grip of severe depression. The stark reality of these struggles shows how urgently society needs accessible helplines on billboards, social media, and ads nationwide. But this is Nigeria, and everything is slower.

Chinemelum has a remarkable way with words, supported by thorough research. Her handling of medical details and terminology was particularly impressive, especially having read a medical biography before.

The characters are exceptionally fleshed out. Even the side characters lead vibrant lives of their own. I would love to read a dedicated story for Lizzy to see how her journey unfolds. Furthermore, Zara’s mom portrays her supportive role so well throughout the book; her dynamic with Zara and how Zara thinks of her strongly reminded me of Ona from The Joys of Motherhood.

I also deeply appreciated how Zara’s community gave her the time and grace to heal at her own pace. She was surrounded by real love: Zion provides constant support as a steadfast, 10 years plus flame, but Tayo truly takes the cake for his sacrifices. It takes immense dedication to support someone who isn’t yet ready to put in the effort to heal, and I was glad to see things work out for him.

Reading Zara’s struggle with guilt deeply resonated with me on a personal level. “Guilt has a way of rewriting our memories… It gives our thoughts knives, and it allows them to stab us in the heart over and over.”

When I lost my Dad during my university years, I refused to cry because I felt guilty, believing that if I had only been there with him, he might not have passed away. I carried that heavy weight alone throughout the burial, believing I deserved the pain. It all came undone later that year when I forgot his birthday and the dam finally broke. It didn’t help that I also lost my school father that year. Thankfully, I was surrounded by a spiritual family who prayed for me, encouraged and supported me, and helped me return safely to society.

My main critique stems from this perspective: personally, I felt something was missing in Zara’s journey. Had she possessed a direct personal relationship with God or an active spiritual family supporting her with prayer and guidance, her grief might not have spiraled as intensely. Though fictional, Zara felt very real to me, and I hope anyone in her shoes finds strength in surrendering to the One who saves.

Verdict

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. It is an ideal read for anyone currently processing loss or seeking to understand the grieving process. Expect a few misty eyes, but also expect plenty of laughter and a settled heart by the end.

I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes from my heavily underlined copy:

“Grief is simply the final expression of love. It’s a form of goodbye and farewell… Because if the person you’re grieving truly loved you, they would want you to live and be happy, and if they didn’t love you, what’s the point of grieving them at all?”