The Death of Vivek Oji

I picked up The Death of Vivek Oji on a whim while shopping, hoping for a good literary fiction read. I definitely lucked out with this choice. The book is both beautiful and heartbreaking. It is incredibly emotional and leaves a lasting impact on the reader. It feels wrong to say I enjoyed it because the characters experience such turmoil and pain. Instead, I'll say I am glad I read it.

As the story begins, Kavita Oji discovers the body of her son Vivek on her doorstep. People in her life try to tell her that the death was an accident, but she needs answers to be able to move on. She believes Vivek's cousin Osita and friends are hiding secrets from her. Osita is the closest friend Vivek has, and their relationship is developed through flashbacks throughout the book.

One of the most heart wrenching lines in the book are Vivek's statement: “If nobody sees you, are you still there?” Vivek is different