I’ve always wondered to myself why short stories are so perfect. Is it because that is their natural design? Or is it because due to the fact that they are short, the author doesn’t have to worry about all the complexities involved with a sustained plot, the right story arc, suspense and the angst involved in ensuring the story doesn’t drag in the middle while maintaining the reader’s interest till the end of the story.
I find short stories and their writers extra relatable. Maybe because I think I’m not an efficient long story writer or because I’m used to short stories, I don’t know what exactly it is. But I relate to the ease of writing short stories because you put your best in that singular piece. Get the suspense where you need it to go. Pour your heart and emotions into writing that one stellar piece so that even though you feel drained after writing, there’s a huge feeling of satisfaction and fulfilment.
I’m still in my book slump. But I managed to pick up a book last week. A short story compilation and even though a short book like this wouldn’t take me more than a few hours, this took me a few days. But I didn’t relent and when I was done with the book yesterday, I was super grateful for it.
Ghostroots by Pemi Aguda
Published on 7th of May, 2024, Ghostroots is a horror fiction novel of twelve parts. Twelve short stories comprised to form a singular book of 190 pages. I call it singular because of the eerie glow cast upon each story, and how the stories, both distinct and unique, intertwine because of the central horror theme.
Summary of the Novel
The first story is of a lady that has a striking resemblance to her grandmother who was known for her evil. Now all of a sudden, she begins to get peace from acts of evil. And so the question is, can evil be genetic? In “Breast milk”, a new mother’s inability to lactate makes her wonder if it’s because she didn’t uphold her mother’s feminist principles by forgiving her cheating husband.
In “24 Alhaji Williams Street,” the sons of each family die mysteriously with frightening precision. In “Things In “Things Boys Do,” three men come to the realization that the evil they did in their youth has come to stay with them in form of the infant sons. In “The Hollow,” an architect gets contacted to a vengeful house that ensures that every evil doer is punished and...trapped.
My Review and Rating
The stories go on and on. Since it’s situated in Lagos, Nigeria, there’s that strong aroma of familiarity that wraps every tale. And that’s the thing, you can relate to each story because it begins with something familiar, something we understand. Something we relate to and trust. Then it suddenly takes a twist of something else, dark, scathing and choking. The mystery and eeriness still feels all too familiar but now there’s something else there and that’s what takes a the cake to every story here. That something else we can’t quite point out but looms over each tale.
I’ve said it before that what draws me to stories is that beginning piece. I feel there’s so much thought that goes into it and that takes up sixty percent of the reader’s decision to keep reading or drop the book. Although this story wasn’t the most chilling by any form, it’s what made me understand that I was set for treat. Pulled me in and kept me sustained with the cultural themes it portrayed.
I know it may come as a shock to a few people that this novel is of the horror genre. Hehe. First off, I didn’t know that this was of the horror genre so we may never know if I’d have read it or not if I knew it was of the horror genre. But I think I’m more open these days to the horror genre when it comes to books. I mean if you’ve read a few Stephen King books, your psyche is already somewhat messed up at is. Lol.
But yeah, Ghostroots, made me different shades of spooked yet excited. Poignantly bitter-sweet. Definitely recommending it for all my Bibliophile girlies. A good 4.7/5 rating for me. Looking forward to more tales by Pemi Aguda.
Jhymi🖤
Image designed on Canva.
