cover image Trapped in Oblivion

Trapped in Oblivion

Ifeoma Theodore Jr. . E. Kachifo Ltd./Prestige (www.kachifo.com), $4 paper (248p) ISBN 978-978-52058-1-7

In this message-heavy novel, sexuality awareness advocate Theodore (My Daughters and I) chronicles the turbulent adolescence of Nigerian teenager Nnenna Ifediora, who is muddling her way to adulthood in a confusing world. As 13-year-old Nnenna grows up, her curiosity about boys, relationships, and sex is repeatedly thwarted by her mother's unyielding refusal to discuss any of it, simply ordering her daughter to avoid all boys. Along the way, Nnenna also learns, from secondhand stories and experiences, about the evils of child molestation, social media, suicide, rape, domestic abuse, and more. Eventually, she experiences teen pregnancy firsthand, as well as the terror of testing positive for HIV. While the messages conveyed in this book are vital%E2%80%94from the need for honest parental communication regarding sex education and HIV awareness, to peer pressure and self-confidence%E2%80%94they're delivered in a lecturing manner. The author captures Nnenna's internal confusion and turmoil of the teenager, set against the rich backdrop of her native Nigeria, but the voice is often stilted and focused on conveying information rather than letting the story flow. Readers may learn a lot, yet come away feeling overwhelmed by the experience. Ages 12%E2%80%93up.