Necessary Fiction is a story of stories taking place in Lagos, Nigeria all centering around a group of queer individuals. Queerness is something still somewhat taboo in Nigeria, so to see the community, love, and experiences of the group is a beautiful spectacle. Some of the stories even involve a more spiritual component, pulling from Nigerian myth and lore.
The book scurries across multiple perspectives while also juggling nonlinear storytelling, often going back in time. Each chapter follows a different person within the group, with some being revisited after time has passed.
I think this book was entertaining, but longer than it needed to be. Some of the sections could've been reduced or didn't need to be there, but were still compelling nonetheless. Some of the characters also seemed to try very hard to seem interesting, which given the circumstances, I kind of understand. But my biggest gripe was the fact that many of the parents of the queer folks.... were also queer? Almost all of them. I found that very strange.
All in all though, the book was engaging and beautiful, with the primary luster coming from the love woven between the relationships, until it becomes a manifestation within the self. Check this book out if you're looking for any queer black stories, especially those of African origin!
- Leo
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