A Particular Kind of Book — Of Tope Folarin’s “A Particular Kind of Black Man”
A Review of Tope Folarin’s “A Particular Kind of Black Man” by Ebo Amutta
A Particular Kind of Black Man by Tope Folarin is a particular kind of book. It is a story about a boy who struggles with his identity, who had love to give and sought love; a coming-of-age story.
From the age of five years, Tunde Akinola started narrating events he could remember about his parent and life in a foreign country his father tried to make home. He carries the reader across times, events, and relationships, and sometimes the reader gets lost along with Tunde in his confusion.
Tunde’s father took pride in living in a town where few black families or communities were, forgetting the importance of community. This made Tunde struggle with his identity but with encouragement from his grandmother through their long-distance relationship, it was bearable.
“So I want you to focus on you. On the things that make you happy and calm. The things that make your heart beat faster and slower. This is how you will learn who you are, and what you are supposed to do in this life.” pg 76 - Grandma encouraging Tunde.
His father was a victim of the ideology that everything will be perfect, simple, and easy abroad where it is believed that the grass is always greener. Mr. Akinola, and his second wife, Tunde’s new mother believed all their problems would dissipate in a new country where all dreams come true. Sadly this wasn’t the case. The failures and isolation they encountered in a foreign land was also a factor that affected Tunde’s birth mother and she declares:
“I hate him for bringing me here, and I hate him for giving me hope.”
Mr. Akinola through it all made sure he provided for his sons, he never let the disappointment he suffered affect his love and mannerisms toward his sons but the ideologies he passed on to Tunde stirred up more confusion.
Tunde trying to be an American, a Nigerian, and an African American all at once must have been emotionally daunting for a child his age.
The events that followed the manifestation of his birth mother’s mental illness led him to misinterpret love. He had developed some kind of coping mechanism by reconstructing his memories. We see this as he eliminates his brother in the latter part of his writing and memory. It would be fair to say Tunde as a result, might have had a pseudo-memory or memory distortion syndrome.
“No matter how much love you give or are ready to give, you must be completely healed for it to flourish”
The pressure to do well as the eldest which is demanded of by the African culture shielded Tayo from the traumas Tunde passed through.
The love Noella gave Tunde was what he had been searching for all his life, to be accepted, to be loved, to be seen. With heartbreaks and trauma accumulated throughout his life, he wasn’t open to love which put a strain on their relationship explaining how no matter how much love you give or are ready to give, you must be completely healed for it to flourish.
The book ends with Tunde coming home to see his mother and kindred as suggested by Noelle and I must say the intricate events leading to the end of this book is one I keep pondering on.
It’s a worthy read I must say.
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Dr. Ebo Amutta is a medical doctor. An avid reader, she hopes to propagate and encourage the reading culture. She runs a book club and a blog.
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