Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde

Vagabonds! is rich in themes of spiritualism, mysticism, queer dynamics, and possession, that literally takes on flesh, saying, “When you’re ready, I’ll be here”.

Vagabonds! is rich in themes of spiritualism, mysticism, queer dynamics, and possession, that literally takes on flesh, saying, “When you’re ready, I’ll be here”.

Premise

Say hello to all the cautionary tales you were told as a child, perchance the intention was to scare, or it was to protect, maybe even to enlighten. Whatever its aim, Vagabonds shares insights into a whole dimension that lives alongside our reality, delving, touching, and altering responses more often than we care to admit.

It asks us if there’s a post-death experience that’s different from the one we’ve chosen to believe, whether we transition to heaven or if we stay.

Tone

The tone of this book feels like the characters were anticipating death, to experience the ethereal, peaceful transition to the spirit realm.

That’s one of the refreshing things in Vagabonds! Nobody is casting and binding death, it’s more like the start of another life.

Thoughts

While I found this book refreshing: one story in particular felt a bit unrealistic, perhaps the author took it too far, ’cause why would they behead your lover in the night and you’re eating isi-ewu the next day, and they tell you it’s him… The complete lack of emotional response didn’t feel right… It was your mouth they took, not your heart.

In a sequence of what goes around comes around: after leaving a trail of heartbroken lovers, a hoverer finally meets her match, I should think, her superior. And boy when she gets a taste of her medicine, it doesn’t go down easy. Touché.

Verdict

I think one wonderful thing that Eloghosa highlights in Vagabonds! is that it’s okay to want a different ending than others want.

Not everyone wants to sing hallelujah in heaven. Some just want quiet oblivion. We should all make peace with that.

If you’re a fan of Akwaeke Emezi’s work, you’ll definitely enjoy this too!