853 Results with the "Fiction" genre


    • Chapter

      Things Boys Do

      Things Boys Do Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter "Things Boys Do" explores the unsettling dynamics between fathers and their newborn sons through three distinct narratives. The first man witnesses his wife's traumatic childbirth, where the baby's arrival is marked by eerie silence and a doctor's evasive reassurance. The father is haunted by the infant's unnerving white eyeballs and his wife's subsequent health decline, leaving him fearful of his own child. This segment sets a tone of dread, questioning the natural bond between parent and…
    • 24, Alhaji Williams Street Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a vivid depiction of Alhaji Williams Street, a place steeped in history and community ties. The narrator, the only son in his family, reflects on his deep familiarity with the street’s every detail, from the sound of Mr. Joro’s car horn to the Obozos’ aggressive Rottweiler. The street’s tranquility is shattered when a mysterious fever begins claiming the lives of the youngest sons in each household, starting with Ade, the only child of Ms. Williams. The grief-stricken…
    • Imagine Me Carrying You Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist returning from a weekend getaway to learn about her mother's involvement in a fatal car accident. While staying at a friend's mansion to avoid her mother's scrutiny, she receives a call from her father, who reveals that her mother hit and killed a young woman during a heavy rainstorm on the Ibadan Expressway. The family of the deceased has chosen not to involve the police, and her mother, though financially compensating them, is emotionally shattered. The protagonist…
    • Chapter

      The Hollow

      The Hollow Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Arit, a young architect, arrives at Madam Oni's house for a renovation assignment. The house strikes her as unattractive, with its chaotic roofs and peeling pink walls. Greeted by Lucky, a teenage gatekeeper, she learns Madam Oni is absent but proceeds to measure the property. The compound feels oppressive, with overgrown gardens and looming fences. As a junior at her firm, Arit is tasked with the groundwork, her mind already analyzing the space despite her limited role. She reflects on her uncle’s…
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      Contributions

      Contributions Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter describes a tight-knit group of women who practice "esusu," a traditional rotating savings system where members contribute money monthly, and each takes turns receiving the pooled funds. The system relies on strict rules and mutual trust, with severe consequences for those who fail to meet their obligations. The women pride themselves on self-sufficiency, rejecting banks and loans, and enforcing order through collective discipline. Past incidents, such as seizing a generator or temporarily…
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      Breastmilk

      Breastmilk Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist's raw and conflicted emotions after childbirth as she holds her newborn son for the first time. She describes the baby as a "warm, slimy creature," reflecting her detachment, while hospital staff interact with her in a patronizing manner. Her husband, Timi, attempts to participate but is sidelined by the traditional hospital protocols, mirroring the protagonist's own unspoken tensions in their marriage. The physical exhaustion of labor contrasts with her observational…
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      Manifest

      Manifest Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist, a 26-year-old woman, discovering her first pimple and fixating on its presence. As she examines the blemish, her mother unexpectedly calls her "Agnes," a name that does not belong to her. This unsettling moment occurs during a mundane activity of sorting beans, where the protagonist takes pleasure in removing and killing weevils, drawing a parallel to societal exclusion. The mother's sudden use of the name Agnes, followed by her silent retreat, introduces an air of…
    • Story

      Ghostroots

      Ghostroots Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin “Ghost­roots” by ‘Pemi Agu­da is a debut short sto­ry col­lec­tion set in Lagos, Nige­ria, blend­ing the mun­dane with the super­nat­ur­al. The twelve sto­ries explore themes of inher­i­tance, mater­nal lin­eage, and haunt­ing lega­cies, often focus­ing on women grap­pling with famil­ial and soci­etal bur­dens. Aguda’s prose weaves unset­tling yet deeply human nar­ra­tives, where every­day life inter­sects with spec­tral pres­ences. Notable sto­ries include “Breast­milk,” which delves into…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 30

      Chapter 30 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator arriving at a crowded venue for Davey and Dev's performance, feeling physically recovered from prior vertigo but emotionally exposed. Dressed inappropriately for the event, they encounter acquaintances while navigating the ticket line, revealing their privileged access to the show. The narrator reflects on Davey's rise to fame after years of obscurity, noting how his past at Hertz contrasts with his current success. There's an underlying tension as the narrator suspects…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 29

      Chapter 29 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator reflecting on her delayed journey to New York, which took four years instead of the anticipated six days. Now 49, she questions whether her odyssey—marked by symbolic elements like cliffs, caves, and a golden ring—has truly transformed her. She longs for a test to prove her growth, contrasting her current self with who she was four years ago. As she flies to Brooklyn for her book tour, she grapples with unresolved feelings, scrolling through old photos and hesitantly…
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