A Kind of Madness by Uche Okonkwo

A Kind of Madness is a collection of short stories that feature very relatable beings who wrestle with their identities, independence, and desires.

In what seems to be a little book, Uche Okonkwo narrates the incoherent lives of nearly twenty individuals.

A Kind of Madness is for you who loves stories that are of accessible language and rich descriptions.

Summary

A Kind of Madness is a collection of short stories that feature very relatable beings who wrestle with their identities, independence, and desires.

Okonkwo’s style and perspective for this work invite you to partake in the characters’ joys, miseries, and successes, no matter how incredibly tiny they may seem.

Thoughts

A story in the collection titled “Animals” was shortlisted for the 2024 Caine Prize, and it is one of the stories I believe has the highest thematic resonance.

The last story in the collection, “Burning”, particularly resonates with me more than the rest because of the kind of quest the characters are engaged in. Both mother and daughter are plagued by different madness, and this madness boils down to the truth they do not seem to see. A truth that does not exist.

Adanna believes her mother is delusional. Her mother believes Adanna is a spirit child. The strong unwillingness to confess is what leads her mother to employ the services of a dibia to soften. And this leads to a saga of trips, feigning of things, and extortions by the knowing priest.

A Kind of Madness is a book I have already started recommending to my friends in school. I believe all praises accorded to it are well deserved.