Anyanwagu's BEFORE YOUR NEXT SEX explore diverse themes in thirty shades of intricacies. We are taken on a fascinating journey from one story to the next; forcing us to confront our deepest held beliefs and convictions about life and living.
A well-paced book with each story introduction stretching the mind, tugging at our hearts, and becoming in itself, life. Every single word was carefully selected: maybe, being a medical practitioner himself, the author let his meticulousness show in this work as with patients.
There’s no telling what emotion would be evoked for with each thrust like a lover's, the rhythm alternates depending on what intrigues your core at each page turn.
Mostly narrated from the first-person point of view, each story unravels snippets of Anyanwagu's convictions and values, making it easier for readers to take a stance whatever that is.
At some point, he sounds delightful and hopeful and at other times, he sounds indifferent and resigned.
One thing stands out throughout the narrative: pearls of laughter ringing through the pages even at critical issues, an attempt to ward off dark clouds like Chude did in his unpopular tales by the moonlight; as if Anyanwagu didn’t want his readers perpetually depressed by the pain, grief and sometimes anguish brought about by some of the stories of loss, diseases, cultural and religious nuances. The rich and powerful language use makes each story even more remarkable, further strengthening the themes extensively explored: Sexual misinformation, ignorance, cultural myths, and religious misconceptions.
BEFORE YOUR NEXT SEX a carefully selected title like master craftsmanship or an experienced driver veers off the route you’d expect it to and takes on, even more, significant subject matter.
Although a glossary would have served the better purpose, It seems the author is well aware of the volume of this book and spares his readers the stress of going back and forth to acquaint themselves with the numerous local lingo and Nigerian English that abounds in the work; This attempt gradually becomes tiring too just as anyone would if a speaker speaks and interprets like we see it play out in some of our local churches in Nigeria. At the unfolding and progress of each story, you would wonder why the author wouldn’t just make up his mind on the genre of this book seeing how he shifts from fiction to non-fiction, at war with leaving these stories as memoirs or non-fiction.
Then we meet Sarah, in “HE RAPED ME”- A MINOR'S ORDEAL one of the most significant stories, and one can’t help but wonder at how the author articulates Sarah’s story- the strong language suggests a lack of factualness and credibility of the encounter.
We marvel at a young Nigerian girl of 17 years narration:
“ The moment he saw me, he whisked me off my feet and kissed my lips for the first time. That was exactly how I imagined my first kiss. My knees went weak instantly, and I felt a weird sensation in my groin.”
If she had the privilege of speaking in her voice, the author would have achieved the purpose of that particular story of shaming victims of rape; forcing them to remain voiceless and to some extent, making the guilty become the prey while the prey becomes guilty.
The distinct use of imagery and rich metaphors make every sentence memorable and vibrant:
“ After a few more trials, we succeeded in peeling the skin off his teeth.”
Words take on a life of their own; spring off the pages to have conversations with you. Overall, the author more than succeeded in his attempt to reform society and rebuild the life and let live that is peculiar to people of African descent. We hear his voice echo didactically:
“ Imagine the wisdom that we deprive our children when we keep them away from their grandparents. Imagine the history lost, the generational gap, and the loss of those timeless virtues of love, respect, and care of the elderly.”
Anyanwagu decries the religious fanaticism that has eroded communal lifestyle and the o Nuru ube nwanne ( brotherhood) spirit of the Igbo community; advocating for an awakening of the ubuntu spirit.
If you love reading a collection of short stories, especially those that cut across diverse themes and backgrounds while maintaining admirable rhythm and flow then you should read BEFORE YOUR NEXT SEX.
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