Blackass by Igoni Barrett Book Review — Stella Inabo
Blackass captured my attention from the title and its synopsis. It’s not everyday you see a book about a black man turned white while his bum refuses to change color. This book isn't just hilarious, it also presents various issues that Nigerians face that will make you think.
The book is set in Lagos and seen through the eyes of Furo who wakes up one day to find that he has become white, and Igoni a transgender writer. Furo flees home realizing that his metamorphosis has left him no place in his environment. He lands a long awaited job because of his newly acquired skin color and finds an apartment to live in with a sex worker.
Syreeta’s kindness seems suspicious to me, as no man is that kind without a reason in Lagos. The book explores corruption, racism (black to black and black to white ), manipulation and the carnivorous nature of the residents of Lagos.
What I like about this book is that its real and relatable. Its characters are not made to be likable but real. Furo, is opportunistic and he does everything to adapt and survive in Lagos; Syreeta, also begins to see profits from her apparent kindness, and it shows that humans do what they feel they must to get what they want or need.
It also explores being transgender in Nigeria through Igoni though not in many pages. Igoni is intrigued by Furo and understands him because of the change that Igoni has also gone through. Igoni first appears as a male then as a female. It shows how the world is changing and the need to bring the transgender discourse to the table in Nigeria.
Blackass is a well written book that I would read again.
The Luminaries Book Club is an online book club with the aim of encouraging people of different background and walks of life to read, interact, and expand their knowledge base so as to increase in wisdom and understanding in order to maximize their potentials. Our sole purpose is to revive the reading culture amongst youth, and as the name implies, build up individuals that are an inspiration to others and together be a body that gives light.
Want to be a member? Click here to chat with our Admin. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get our updates.
