Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow

The bold, funny and insightful novel from the bestselling author of NEARLY ALL THE MEN IN LAGOS ARE MAD

De: Damilare Kuku

Narrado por: Weruche Opia

Pre-order bestselling author Damilare Kuku's new novel - WOMAN RENT MEN AND SECRETS HERE - that lays bare the double standards women face in relationships, sexuality and the unforgiving court of public opinion, coming soon.

'Kuku's stories are delectable and fun' GUARDIAN

'Queen of the banging book title . . . I loved it' NIKKI MAY

'Sharply observational, funny and profound' BOLU BABALOLA

From the bestselling author of Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad comes a powerful polyphonic novel about family secrets, judgemental aunties and Brazilian butt lifts.

Freshly out of university, 20-year-old Témì has a clear plan for her future: she is going to surgically enlarge her backside, move to Lagos and meet a man who will love her senseless. When she finally finds the courage to tell her family, at the funeral of her beloved father, her announcement causes uproar – because in Nigerian families, none of your business is private. Not even if it’s about your bumbum. But as they try to cure Témì of what they consider to be insanity, the long-buried secrets that bind and separate them are spilled in the process. In the end, it seems like Témì might be the sanest one of them all . . .

Damilare Kuku uses her signature humour to reveal the ways a woman’s physical appearance can dictate her life and shows just how sharp the double-edged sword of beauty can be.

Reseñas de la Crítica

PRAISE FOR ONLY BIG BUMBUM MATTERS TOMORROW:

'Damilare Kuku, queen of the banging book title, knows how complicated it is to be a Nigerian woman. This book explores themes weightier than any BBL but never preaches. Kuku made me giggle and gasp. I loved it' Nikki May, author of Wahala

'In her latest work Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow, Kuku paints a vibrant intergenerational portrait of the female condition in Nigeria . . . Funny, fierce, and heartfelt!' Chioma Okereke, author of Bitter Leaf and Water Baby

‘Both tender and hilarious, Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow addresses the impossible decisions that women in patriarchal societies have to make. Damilare Kuku is an enthralling storyteller, handling the boisterous harmony of this multigenerational cast of female characters with compassion and flair’ Jendella Benson, author of Hope & Glory

PRAISE FOR NEARLY ALL THE MEN IN LAGOS ARE MAD:

'Sharply observational, funny and profound, this book is dynamic sociological satire that is as universal as it is specific' Bolu Babalola

‘Captures the experience of navigating the strange and wondrous world of love and intimacy in Africa’s most enigmatic city . . . Kuku’s stories are delectable and fun, but they also reveal the ridiculousness of gender expectations and the sexual politics that assign men and women rigid roles in intimate relationships’ Guardian

'Witty and utterly enjoyable! At the heart of every story is a juicy scandal waiting to unfold. This is definitely the best of Lagos situationships in three hundred pages' Sally Kenneth Dadzie, bestselling author of Stranger In Lagos

'Kuku astounds with her presentation of modern day Lagos, Africa’s most notorious city that’s one of the fastest growing in the world' Tatler

'If you're going through a break-up and need a pick-me-up, this is the one for you' Huffington Post

'Kuku’s provocative debut is a brilliant, witty, punchy account of the messiness of relationships' Refinery29

'Kuku's novel is not unlike her impressive collection – sharply insightful, bitingly funny, wondrously poignant – except her stories here are also intricately, exquisitely interconnected' Shelf Awareness

Good storytelling but too many loose ends

I think the narrator was brilliant and a big reason why I kept listening. A good narrator makes all the difference—and this one elevated the book.

The author is clearly a skilled writer. She holds your attention and tells a compelling story. It felt like a page-turner—once I started, I couldn't stop. I don’t regret buying or listening to it at all.

I appreciated how she tackled the complex relationships women have with their bodies—especially the contrast between how slimmer women are often mocked from a young age, and how curvier women are sexualised. The book explores the social currency of being curvy, as well as the burden of unwanted attention.

Where it missed the mark for me was in trying to do too much. There were too many points of view—like the doctor, lawyer, and Big Momma—that didn’t feel necessary. The story could have been tighter by focusing on the two daughters, and maybe the mom and aunt.

There were also a few loose ends that weren’t resolved, like the audio recording. And while Temi’s dad was loving and supportive (which was refreshing), he felt a bit too perfect—especially given some of the revelations.

Lastly, the book tried to cover a lot of heavy themes: body dysmorphia, religion, toxic marriage, queer identity, and more. While some were handled well, I think the body image theme was strong enough to stand on its own without being overshadowed.

Everything

Damilare’s sophomore offering and first debut novel delivers. Damilare’s gift is humour. She is able to use humour to disarm the reader. She skilfully uses humour to offer heart-rending observations.

This debut novel follows Témì, who is 20 years old. She has just graduated from university and her dear father has just died. Her older sister, Làdùn, has returned for his funeral after a bewildering five-year absence. Témì wants BBL and makes the announcement leading to a gallery of commentary.

In this novel, Damilare with masterful storytelling tackles issues that face Nigerian women. While focused on Nigerian women, readers on the continent can resonate with the lived experiences of these women.

With tenderness, Damilare speaks to question of belonging, desire, the shame of secrets, family tensions, colourism, body dysphoria and learning disabilities. Additionally, she makes the render think about the harmful effects of compulsory heterosexuality.

Damilare is a lover who loves love, this can be seen from her portrayal of my favourite character Tito, the Professor and father. Tito loves Hassana deeply and intentionally. He is patient, kind and wonderful. He stays by Hassana.

The debut novel humorous title is misleading, you may enter the story thinking that it will be a light, fun-filled read but it is not. The story deals with difficult topics – living as a Black woman in a society that hates Black women, where one is faced with the everyday violence of patriarchy and misogynior.

Damilare’s characters are wonderfully flawed, which makes them both endearing and exasperating.

In the end, this novel is vivid, hilarious and deeply reflective.