Little Rot

A Novel

By: Akwaeke Emezi

Narrated by: Adepero Oduye, Chukwudi Iwuji

“A masterwork…mesmerizing…We come away troubled, unsettled—and in some subtle way changed.”–The New York Times

"The perfect steamy read for those hot summer nights."–People

A thrilling new novel from the bestselling, award-winning, visionary Akwaeke Emezi

One weekend.

The elite underbelly of a Nigerian city.

A party that goes awry.

A tangled web of sex and lies and corruption that leaves no one unscathed.

Aima and Kalu are a longtime couple who have just split. When Kalu, reeling from the breakup, visits an exclusive sex party hosted by his best friend, Ahmed, he makes a decision that will plunge them all into chaos, brutally and suddenly upending their lives. Ola and Souraya, two Nigerian sex workers visiting from Kuala Lumpur, collide into the scene just as everything goes to hell. Sucked into the city’s corrupt and glittering underworld, they’re all looking for a way out, fueled by a desperate need to escape the dangerous threat that looms over them.

©2024 Akwaeke Emezi (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A gritty yet hypnotic novel about a web of loosely connected friends grappling with hidden desires in Lagos. . . Emezi portrays the African city as a corrupting force—but only because falling from grace is so painfully, exquisitely human."—Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"[H]as the dark twists and pace of a thriller, the ambitious scope of literary fiction, the language of poetry and the yearning of romance…[T]he blend of melodrama, peril and existential angst in Little Rot is shockingly entertaining and beautifully wrought.”—Los Angeles Times

"Step into the dark side of Nigerian high society in this sexy, thrilling novel...the perfect steamy read for those hot summer nights."—People Magazine

Haunting

The best word to describe this story is haunting. Whew! This story will stay with me for some time. I was completely captivated by Akwaeke’s elegant writing style and the way they wove the character’s lives together throughout the book. This book is a total gem and the performances were incredible.

Unhinged!

This story is unhinged in the best way possible, keeping us on the edge of our seats the entire time. But that ending... it left us hanging and needing more! We absolutely need a Part 2! Love it!

Intense

This was such an intense, entangled, full of twists kind of story but also very relatable in terms of the rawness of human beings and their desires, vices and twisted fantasies. So many topics in a very "traditional & conservative" African society

Loved this read!

Wow this entire story was so good I would rush thru work so I could pay attention to every detail while I listened. It felt like I was there and I loved the different points of view while the story was being told. Everything was described with great detail. I loved this story! I want a sequel to it is how much I loved the story and the characters in it.

Hated the story but 5/5

This was a rage read. The story was dark and twisted not my usual cup of tea but I had to get to the end (which I hated). All in all- amazing storytelling.

Tough Subjects Great Storytelling

All of the ugly things that exist just under the surface of society. The things that you cannot touch without being contaminated by. This book makes you look right at them.

Well explored characters

Going in, I wasn’t sure if the author would be able to dive deep into each of the characters properly seeing as we’re following six POVs but they did an amazing job! Great book- we need a sequel!

Great read

I was thoroughly entertained with this one. Great story. Lovely performances. I would definitely recommend.

A bold dive into taboo themes for most Africans.

I found the book to be a gripping exploration of the hidden layers of sex, power, and the complex identities of people who outwardly wear the mask of religion, yet harbor deep contradictions beneath. I’m fully here for all the deviance and range of diversity this book dives into. It was an engrossing listen. Emezi’s boldness is both thrilling and unsettling, as they unapologetically tackle themes that are often considered taboo in African culture. The writer’s fearless approach left me intrigued and a little unnerved.

so much decadence

I braved it through the sordid entanglement of the story. Didn't know the depth of these in our society. The pastor character is the reason why our prayers are in vain despite the multitude of churches in Nigeria. All false and fake. Pity.