‘Dear Senthuran’ by Akwaeke Emezi

An ọgbanje is an Igbo spirit that’s born to a human mother, a kind of trickster that dies unexpectedly only to return in the next child and do it all over again. Humans call them malevolent because, well, humans take things too personally. Ọgbanje come and go.

‘Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir’ by Akwaeke Emezi is a force.

At first, I planned to write a review that contained about three words: “wow—read it!” But this book deserves more.

In this memoir, Akwaeke uses letters to talk about their life as an ọgbanje in a human—mortal!—body, their relationships, their career, their mental health. And in doing so, they are unapologetically open. They talk about their wants and desires: money, fame, book awards. And it is refreshing! Most, if not all, of us have these or similar desires. But we've been taught that it's not 'appropriate' to express them.

Akwaeke also addresses their physical and especially mental health: depression, anxiety, suicide attempts. Again, they share their experiences so openly. They show us that we shouldn't be afraid to talk about our struggles.

This book is incredibly inspiring, but also devastating. Try to be in a good state of mind when you read it.