Review By: Anonymous
Published: 2025
Genres: Literary Fiction, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Nigerian Literature
Audience: Grade 10–Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Blessings
Content Warnings: Homophobia, rejection, bullying, and strict boarding school environment.
Publisher’s Summary
A powerful portrait of sexual awakening and self-acceptance set in a Nigeria on the brink of criminalizing same-sex relationships.
Uzoamaka’s miracle baby, Obiefuna, arrives after a series of miscarriages. As a young boy, he brings luck to his family and joy to those in his orbit, from the teachers at his school to the ladies getting their hair braided at Uzoamaka’s salon. But by adolescence, Obiefuna has grown unsure of himself. After his father brings home an apprentice from a nearby village, the lightness Obiefuna feels is quickly dashed when the two are caught sharing a moment of intimacy.
Without explanation, Obiefuna is sent off to Christian boarding school, where he must navigate strict codes, hierarchies, and alliances among his new classmates. There, he internalizes the lesson that he must hide his true self, pushing away those who may have otherwise brought him comfort. Back home, Uzoamaka must contend with the absence of her beloved son, her husband’s cryptic reasons for sending him away, and realizations that were within her all along.
Told from the alternating perspectives of Obiefuna and Uzoamaka, as they reach towards a future that will hold them both, Blessings is an elegant rendering of the compromises made in a country that forbids homosexuality and the love that can flourish in spite of them—among friends and partners, but also between a parent and child.
Full Review
Blessings is one of those stories that lingers with you. It speaks to the deep, often silent experiences of young people trying to understand themselves in a world determined to shut them down. As a school counselor, I found myself thinking about the students I have worked with over the years—those who carry the weight of hiding parts of themselves and feel like they are always performing a version of themselves that will be accepted.
The novel begins with Obiefuna as a symbol of joy for his family. But as he grows, he begins to feel an awakening that is both powerful and scary. When his father discovers his relationship with an apprentice, Obiefuna is abruptly sent to boarding school. This is where the book becomes a story of survival. The environment of bullying and strict rules reminded me of how many young people learn early that silence is a survival skill.
Obiefuna’s journey reflects the emotional consequences of shame, secrecy, and rejection. It also reminds me how important it is to create safe spaces where students can explore their identity without fear. This is an important read that you will not soon forget. I recommend it to high school and college-aged readers interested in LGBTQ+ stories and Nigerian literature.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- World Literature: Pair this with other Nigerian authors (like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie or Chinua Achebe) to discuss the evolution of the Nigerian “family novel.”
- Human Rights / Social Studies: Research the history of LGBTQ+ rights globally. How do laws specifically targeting identity affect the mental health of adolescents?
- Mental Health & Empathy: Use the alternating perspectives of Obiefuna and his mother, Uzoamaka, to discuss how silence and secrets affect the entire family unit, not just the individual.
- Creative Writing: Have students write a response from Uzoamaka’s perspective regarding the “cryptic reasons” her husband sent their son away.
