New Book Alert: “Dreaming Of Ways To Understand You” by Jerry Chiemeke
Dreaming Of Ways To Understand You is a collection of short stories by Nigerian writer and critic, Jerry Chiemeke. Released on 15 September, 2020, it is available in digital format on Okadabooks and Amazon. Print edition will be published by Magic Wand Publishing on 2 October, 2020.
Dami Ajayi, author of Clinical Blues and A Woman’s Body Is A Country, praised the collection as having an “…immersive, interrogative prose.”
Likewise, William Moore, author of 13 Moons and Sky Sage said about the collection, “These stories have grit, sweat, blood and tears – Jerry touches every raw nerve with this collection.”
Order from Okadabooks here and Amazon here. Interested readers in the print edition can pre-order here.
About the Book:
Dreaming of Ways To Understand You comprises fifteen short stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. These stories take us on a journey through the lives of complex characters who attempt to navigate the intricacies of living in contemporary Nigeria: an online hookup takes a really awkward turn, a secondary school reunion brings back memories of sexual assault, a lawyer struggles to keep up with the mental health complexities of his love interest, a queer woman battles with decade-long commitment issues, and a young man is forced to reminisce on a childhood crush while reliving moments from a difficult past.
Viewing modern Nigeria from the perspective of individuals navigating relevant social issues while making sense of their own lives, “Dreaming of Ways To Understand You” is a collection that employs introspection and multiple narrative techniques to address themes like mental health, sexuality, body positivity, ethnic sentiment and domestic violence, with significant immersion in pop culture.
About the Author:
Jerry Chiemeke is a columnist, culture critic, and lawyer. His works have appeared in The Inlandia Journal, The Johannesburg Review of Books, The Guardian, Honey & Lime, Bone and Ink Press, and Agbowo, among others. A lover of long walks and alternative rock music, Chiemeke lives in Lagos, Nigeria where he is working on a novel. He is the winner of the 2017 Ken Saro Wiwa Prize for Reviews, and he was shortlisted for the 2019 Diana Woods Memorial Award for Creative Nonfiction.
Chiemeke has been a featured contributor for platforms like Okadabooks, Bellanaija, The Bagus, The Lagos Review and the Opera News Hub. He has also facilitated writing workshops in different parts of Nigeria, and for his contribution to the Nigerian literary community, he was presented with the 2019 Connect Nigeria Award for Excellence.
Congrats Jerry Chiemeke!
