God's Children Are Little Broken Things

God's Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu is a poignant collection of nine short stories that deftly explore queer male intimacy in contemporary Nigeria. Lush and evocative, these narratives traverse a spectrum of emotions, from secrecy and ecstasy to loneliness and love, offering a rich tapestry of the gay experience in Nigerian society.

In these compelling stories, readers are introduced to a man who returns to his university campus, haunted by the memory of a love he failed to comprehend at the time. Another tale follows a daughter who comes back to Lagos after her father's death, where she is forced to confront her past and navigate her future relationship with his longtime partner. The collection also features a young musician whose rising fame comes at the peril of losing his essence and the man who loves him.

With each story, Ifeakandu tenderly depicts the complexities of generational conflicts and the intricacies of familial bonds. Readers are taken on a journey from childhood through adulthood, across university campuses, bustling city centres, and neighbourhoods where the sound of church bells blends with the morning call to prayer. Each character grapples with their own identity and sense of belonging in a world that often feels at odds with who they are.

God's Children Are Little Broken Things captures the heartaches and triumphs of its characters, shedding light on the often overlooked narratives of queer life in Nigeria. It is a masterful collection that invites readers to empathise with the characters' struggles and celebrate their resilience.