what it means when a man falls from the sky by lesley nneka arimah

The fantastical appears in “Who Will Greet You at Home.” In this story, a woman makes babies out of yarn, wrapping paper, and human hair, hoping Mama will bless them with life. This lifestyle takes ever more of a toll on her daughter, both physically and mentally, until it eventually reaches a disturbing climax. Some of the stories are dark, such as “Windfalls”, in which a mother purposely harms herself and her daughter in order to sue and collect the payouts. “Before she quiets in a country that rewards her brand of boldness, in her black of body, with an incredulous fascination that makes her put it away.” When she brings their daughter to live with her, Enebeli is forced to watch the fire die out in her over Skype conversations, curbed by the influence of American life. One such powerful example is “Light”, narrated from the perspective of Enebeli, in which his wife goes to study - and later work - in America. These small insights into their lives were extremely poignant and powerful.

Arimah captures quiet moments between fathers, daughters, mothers, sons, husbands and wives, and packs them full of emotion. The messages - if there at all - are subtle.

But it was so refreshing to sit down and read a collection of unpretentious short stories about people and relationships.ĭespite containing magical realism, dallying in historical fiction, and experimenting with dystopia, the stories in this book are not drowning in dark metaphors and dreamy prose. These stories are fragments, really scenes from family life in Nigeria and among Nigerian expats in America. I can see why it might not appeal to everyone. The Goodreads ratings haven't been great and, honestly, it didn't sound as exciting as, say, Her Body and Other Parties. Of all the critically-acclaimed books I've been eager to read this year, I have to say What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky fell pretty low down on the list. 'Girls with fire in their bellies will be forced to drink from a well of correction till the flames die out.

What it means when a man falls from the sky by lesley nneka arimah