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You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

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You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is a 2022 romance novel by Nigerian writer Akwaeke Emezi.[1][2][3] It is Emezi's first romance novel, third adult novel and it follows Feyi Adekola, a Nigerian American visual artist as she heals from the trauma of widowhood and finds new love.[3]

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
First edition
AuthorAkwaeke Emezi
LanguageEnglish
PublisherAtria Books
Publication date
25 January 2022
Publication placeNigeria
Pages336
ISBN978-1-982188-70-2

Background

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The novel is Emezi's first romance novel and they stated that the novel was partly inspired by the Florence + the Machine song "Hunger".[4][3][5] Emezi pulled the title of the book from the song lyrics after trying alternative names for the novel which they felt didn't fit.[3][5] While writing the novel, they did not want it to fall under the regular trope of romance novels and instead made it about an illicit love triangle. Emezi wrote the novel with a queer gaze and also had it feature a supportive queer friendship.[6] They deviated from the normal heterosexual romance trope and made it a queer romance with the main characters Feyi and Alim being bisexual and Joy being a lesbian. Feyi's art in the novel is also based on Emezi's experience as a visual artist.[3][4]

Reception

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The book received generally positive critical acclaim and reception.[7][8] It was the most anticipated book of 2022 by multiple media outlets including Vogue, Thrillist, Essence, The Washington Post and Vulture.[9][4][10] Writing for Vogue, Emma Specter praised the writing stating that "Emezi can write a love story like no other".

The New York Times Book Review praised the novel calling it "[A]n unabashed ode to living with, and despite, pain and mortality…and it could appeal especially to people who, living through an isolating pandemic that has accelerated loss, hunger for more joie de vivre.[1] A review from PopSugar called the novel "A riveting and emotional exploration of grief and taking a second chance on love."[8] Publishers Weekly noted that it "...is sure to tug at readers’ heartstrings."[11]

Adaptation

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In April 2021, Deadline Hollywood announced that Amazon Studios won the right to adapt You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty into a feature film.[12][13] It was purchased in a high six figure deal which Deadline called the biggest book deal of the year so far. Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society will develop it alongside Elizabeth Raposo. Emezi will serve as the executive producer.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kwon, R. O. (20 May 2022). "An Ode to Living With, and Despite, Pain and Mortality". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  2. ^ C.J, Nelson (30 May 2022). "Akwaeke Emezi's 'Fool of Death' Reconstructs The Margins Of Ideal Romance". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Akwaeke Emezi's Inspirations Writing 'You Made a Fool of Death With Your Beauty' – Thrillist". www.thrillist.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c Ukiomogbe, Juliana (23 May 2022). "How Florence + the Machine Inspired Akwaeke Emezi's New Novel". ELLE. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  5. ^ a b Marks, Olivia (28 May 2022). "'Romance Gets a Really Bad Rap': Akwaeke Emezi on Writing This Summer's Must-Read Love Story". Vogue. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Akwaeke Emezi on How Modern, Inclusive Romance Novels Are Expanding the Possibilities of Love". Literary Hub. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Summer reading: the 50 hottest new books for a great escape | Summer reading | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b Bowman, Sabienna (24 May 2022). ""You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi". POPSUGAR Entertainment. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  9. ^ "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty — Akwaeke Emezi's reinvention of the romance novel". Financial Times. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  10. ^ Krajeski, Justin. "15 best books by LGBTQ+ authors in 2022". www.nbcnews.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  11. ^ "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  12. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (29 April 2021). "Amazon, Michael B. Jordan's Outlier Society Land Akwaeke Emezi Novel 'You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty'". Deadline. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Akwaeke Emezi's Novel 'You Made A Fool Of Death With Your Beauty' To Be Adapted Into A Film By Amazon Studios And Michael B. Jordan". JARO Magazine. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
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