Allow Me To Introduce Myself by Onyi Nwabineli
BOOK REVIEW
If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched by other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive.
- Audre Lorde
About the Author
is a British-Nigerian author. She is the co-Founder of Black Pens, a Black Womxn’s writing retreat. Her work explores the themes of her Igbo heritage, grief, and personal growth.
© David Levenson/Getty Images
Social Media: The Gift & The Curse
Allow Me To Introduce Myself is Nwabineli’s second novel, published in May by One World Publications.
The story follows former child social media star Aṅụrị’s attempt to navigate adulthood on her own terms. The central theme of Allow Me To Introduce Myself is the potentially damaging impact that placing minors on social media poses. This topical issue is explored with compassion, through the burgeoning conflicts Aṅụrị experiences in the unchartered waters of life outside the incessant microscopes of camera lens’ and online followers.
‘We are less alone amidst imperfection.’
The main character goes through internal struggles which are reflected in her relations with her family, friends, and in business. The central conflict in the novel is between Aṅụrị’s and her step-mother Ophelia. Aṅụrị wants to ensure her young sister Noelle does not fall victim to the same pressures she had to endure, whilst mummy-blogger Ophelia is adamant about maintaining control over her (biological) daughter’s thriving online persona. Father and husband Nkem completes this portrait of a family at a crossroads - he is frustratingly aloof, caught in the midst of the unfolding tension. As the story progresses readers are shown the ways in which parents can obscure internet fame to garner financial gain while harbouring a latent motivation to live vicariously through their children.
“Social media had its own currency. Validation and praise could be dangerous and addictive, and as it had with Ophelia, when popularity translates into financial returns, the drug becomes more potent. For Aṅụrị the internet, was useful and terrifying in equal measure.”
The Re-Introduction
Our humanity exists beyond perfectly curated and manicured internet profiles. In all her flaws and imperfections, Aṅụrị is a protagonist who is easy to get behind! Nwabineli gives a realistic retelling of a young woman seeking healing from destructive coping mechanisms.
‘That was the problem with chasing perfection. Nobody’s definition was the same and once you reached your personal zenith, you would crane your neck and realise you were still someone else’s base camp.’
The supporting characters including Aunt Makuo, friends Simi and Loki, and therapist Ammah, give more flesh to the narrative. I particularly enjoyed how Allow Me To Introduce Myself illustrates the path to personal growth and healing is not linear. I also enjoyed the plot shifts between London and Akwa, the reader gleans more about Igbo language and culture.
The central message of Allow Me To Introduce Myself is fairly evident, Nwabineli does a good job in encouraging the reader to rethink their own online (and offline) behavioural patters. While this book is an easy read, I feel it could have been more concise. The different moving parts and POV sections made the unfolding story somewhat disjointed.
I would recommend Allow Me To Introduce Myself to anyone looking for an easy to reach, enjoyable summertime read.
Copies of Allow Me to Introduce Myself are available for sale here.
Thank you to One World Publications for providing Harare Book Club with a reviewer’s copy.
Written by - Tondi Mudambo
