Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow by Damilare Kuku
On a deeper level, the book looks at what society accepts as beautiful and how it affects the esteem and identity of women.
I have mixed feelings about this book. Let me try to communicate my thoughts while reading it. Let me start with the Title, “ Only Big Bum Bum Matters Tomorrow.” I can say confidently that no Bum Bum was made big, and the book is not even about Bum Bum. Kuku is a storyteller. And if there’s something you will enjoy, it is the humour and the Shege.
The book is about 20-year-old Temi who wants a big Bum Bum. Just like Temi, Africans believe that a Big Bum Bum makes a woman more attractive. Temi lives in the house with her mother, her sister and aunt who all have big bums. Sadly Temi doesn’t get a big bum even after trying a weight gain journey. Temi who has tried almost everything believes that getting a BBL will give her the bum she wants so she saves up for it. The book, though a single plot is a collection of short stories. The book has several POVs and it is written in the first, second and third person POV. It gets confusing at a point, so brace yourself.
If you’ve read Nearly All the Men in Lagos are Mad then you know Kuku has a knack for writing short story collections. Temi’s story is one of self-love and acceptance. That is why I have a problem with the title of the story. It is all a joke until Temi finally tells her family about her plan to enlarge her bum. The intense family drama begins. The book follows Temi’s story and seeks to understand her reasons for wanting a big bum.
I am not sure how I felt about each character’s backstory. The backstories in the book seemed pointless but on the other hand, the backstories were interesting and gave the characters depth.
Because to the reader, it feels like every step forward in Temi’s story equals two steps backwards in her sister, mother or aunt’s story. I just wish the book centred more on Temi’s story. I wanted to understand why Temi thought a big Bum Bum would make her more suitable to meet societal standards. I wanted to be in Temi’s head, to think with her and feel the emotions with her.
On a deeper level, the book looks at what society accepts as beautiful and how it affects the esteem and identity of women.
Overall this is an easy and funny read. If you are looking for something light and easy, then I recommend this book.
