The Sexy Part of the Bible by Kola Boof is set in modern day West Africa, Europe and The USA. The book is a bold and daring piece of literature that leaves no stone unturned as it explores issue of race, post-colonism, colorism, feminism and popular culture. Our protagonist Eternity, is a driven and highly contentious woman, she takes us on a journey through erotic passion, scientific morality and political rhetoric. Her love affair with Twee and her relationship with the parents who cloned her weave a complex web of self-discovery and self-actualisation. Her beauty lies in the darkness of her skin, a metaphor for the heart of Africa itself and yet her beauty is set to destroy her in the way that continent itself is destroyed because of it’s very source, because of it’s unlimited power. The book is filled with so many excerpts of truth and social commentary that it would be remiss of me to try to summarise the best ones for you in this review. But here is one of my favourites:
“We turn on the television and only our suffering is recorded…our poverty, our hunger, our disease.” – P126.
This book was published in 2011, at the time of writing this review it’s 2015 and the quote reflects an issue that is still problematic. It cannot and should not be ignored, and every page forces us to recognise the issues that we are still faced with as a so-called global community. Boof’s ability to touch on the experiences of Africans living in Africa and those in the diaspora and the influences of post-colonism is a powerful and poignant reminder for our time.
Kola Boof is undeniably one of the most controversial writers of our time. Not because of her actions per say but because she chooses not to stay silent about subjects that so many people are too scared to comment on. She is often faced with a barrage of vitriol which is more often than based on ignorance than fact. We need more writers like her, writers who are brave and not afraid to be disliked for speaking her truth.
It would be easy to define “The Sexy Part of The Bible as a love story, but it is so much more than that. It is a sociopolitical work of art, written to make us feel uncomfortable and by leaving that comfort zone recognising what needs to be done to make things better. I recommend that you read this novel with an open mind and an open heart, you will not be disappointed.
Review By Ronke Lawal.
Ronke Lawal is a PR and Marketing Specialist. Founder of Ariatu PR which specialises in professional marketing management, brand development, online and offline PR services for business. She’s also a food blogger and blogs at WhosForDinner.com
Twitter handle: @ronkelawal
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Hi ChinWe. I’m not sure what to think after reading this review. The way you write it up has piqued my interest in reading it but I’m pretty sure that some of the contents will offend me. Am I a prude? Afraid so. At the same time I agree we need writers who aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects – I’m just not sure that I’m ready to be a reader.
Nicely written review. Intriguing! This may have to go on my "to read" list. I’ve not heard of it!
Love this review. I don’t read much fiction but you definitely review it in a way that can leave a person wanting more. People who speak their mind are often the leaders of our world aren’t they? Thanks for this peek.
I had not heard of the book The Sexy Part of the Bible. I am intrigued by your review. It sounds as if it would certainly get me thinking.
The Sexy Part of the Bible is one of the best books I have ever read. Her other book, Flesh & The Devil, nearly blew my mind. Kola Boof celebrates being a black woman, especially a woman who has color that you can see on her skin. She gets knee deep into colorism and how it affects our society. Her writing is the truth & very controversial…Boring, she is NOT…
Sounds like f really interesting book. Thanks for calling my attention to it.
The title alone is enough to draw a reader in. Sexy and Bible don’t usually go together. Your review further adds to the interest.
Hello
The review is written very nicely and I think who ever will read this book will get a lot. I think no matter what we read we must read with open mind and heart then we can feel what the writer is actually trying to convey. We certainly need writers that see out of box and take reader to those limits as well.
You hooked me! Definitely going to read this.
Take your time but as I mentioned, though it will make you uncomfortable it will be an eye opener worth reading