“Love immediately pulled at her. It was a kind of love she’d never known; unburdened, pure and without expectation.”

Genre: Fiction / Short Stories
Published: August 20, 2020
Page: 290
Rate: 3.5 ⭐⭐⭐
Get a copy: Textbookcentre

Goodreads Synopsis
A high-born Nigerian goddess, who has been beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover, longs to be truly seen.

A young businesswoman attempts a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love life.

A powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether she should uphold her family’s politics or be true to her heart.

In her debut collection, internationally acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola retells the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology with incredible new detail and vivacity. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from long-erased places.

With an eye towards decolonizing tropes inherent in our favorite tales of love, Babalola has created captivating stories that traverse across perspectives, continents, and genres.

“I say you’re lovely as a fact. Irrespective of what I think. It just is. Inside and out. Even when you try to hide it.”

My Take

Love in Colour was such a delight to read. With 13 wonderful stories, 10 retold and 3 new, you can’t help but fall in love with this book. Bolu Babalola writes beautifully and she drew me in with her love for love.

As is with short stories there are those one loves more than the others and this wasn’t any different. I’ll share my favourite from the best to the least.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Thisbe – this was my absolute favourite. I loved everything about it, the story, the characters, all of it.
  • Orin – the easy banter was top tier
  • Tiara – so lovely and warm

4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Scheherazade – so delightful
  • Psyche – happy! Happy!

3.5 ⭐⭐⭐

  • Yaa – lovely

3 ⭐⭐⭐

  • Siya – this one felt so abrupt
  • Nefertiti – had potential to be really good
  • Attem and Zhinu – these two stories were just okay.

2 ⭐⭐

  • Osun, Naleli, and Alagomeji – these three were so boring and couldn’t really care about them.

Love In Colour, mythical tales from around the world, retold is a great depiction of black love and joy. I fell in love with the book, the cover, the writing, and even love. I highly recommend.

Have you read Love In Colour? What did you think about it?