Official Littafi Logo (2)
Africa Fantasy News Blog Shop

africanliterature

Book Review: Small by Small by Ike Anya

You know just how satisfying eating a bowl of your favorite meal is? Small by Small is exactly like that, leaving you quite content. 

Written by Funke Adegbokiki
Published on October 28, 2023
Small by Small

I liken reading this book to eating a balanced diet. 

You know just how satisfying eating a bowl of your favorite meal is? Small by Small is exactly like that, leaving you quite content. 

The chapter titles are named rather than numbered, which makes you feel like there is no pressure to hurry through, that you can read at your own pace, and that if anyone asks you what chapter you are on, you can happily confuse them when you say there are no chapter numbers.

I humbly believe that I am well-read. However, this book had me frequently checking my dictionary for the meaning of new words.  

Another thing I admire about Small by Small is the author’s love for books and how far he would go to get them. He went around with books, even to the beach, which gladens my heart as it takes one bookworm to identify another. He also mentioned a couple of authors I am going to look up in my free time.

I like how he admits to his shortcomings. His giving into peer pressure, feeling like a fraud in front of a patient’s relatives, taking resits, and falling into a situational depression make him more human to me, and his compassion towards others is also admirable.

He also has a sense of humor that may often make you laugh out loud. I know I did.

Small by Small opened my eyes to the dynamics of the medical profession in Nigeria. I’d always wondered why hospitals refer patients to specific pharmacies and labs, why nurses and matrons seemed powerful, and why certain processes were often long and cumbersome. Now I have answers!

I am curious about how he is able to recall instances in his past right down to facial expressions and attires. Some people are blessed with a good memory. 

I can assure you that you’ll enjoy reading Small by Small, and if for any reason you don’t, your vocabulary will be enriched, and you’ll have a veritable list of recommended authors to try out.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

P.S.- He never did mention what happened afterward with Chief Dr Oluwalogbon. Dr, any gist? 

Funke Adegbokiki

A Bookworm

Top Posts
Cartoon Characters That Were Villains

Top 30 Cartoon Characters That Were Villains

Our list rounds up the top 30 cartoon characters that were villains, each one more wonderfully wicked than the last.

The Eternal Debate: DC vs. Marvel

The Eternal Debate: DC vs. Marvel

DC is great at making comics and animated movies, while the MCU has the upper hand in its cinematic aspects

Best Apps to Read Books

Top 8 Best Apps to Read Books For Free in 2025

Discover the best apps to read books for free in 2025. Access thousands of free e-books and audiobooks on your phone or tablet. ...

Funny Cartoon Characters

20 Funny Cartoon Characters Sure to Crack You Up Good

There are some outright funny cartoon characters who exist solely to crack you up, loud, hard, and with zero apology.

Things Fall Apart quotes

Top 10 Quotes From Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart

Things Fall Apart is for the colonizers as well as the colonized, helping to understand the role of colonialism in the realization...

Nollywood movies

Best 20 Nollywood Movies of All Time

While many of the Nollywood movies on our list are quite old, it’s a testament to the capabilities of the industry’s p...

Top 50 Mythical Creatures in Folklore From Around The World

Top 50 Mythical Creatures in Folklore From Around The World

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it comprises some of the most popular mythical creatures from around the world.