By Esther Olamoyegun

Author: Chiemeka Garricks

Published: June, 2020

Publisher: Masobe Books

“A Broken People’s Playlist” by Chiemeka Garricks is a lyrical symphony that takes readers on an emotional journey through the depths of human struggles and resilience. Like a DJ spinning tracks, Garricks weaves together a collection of interconnected stories that harmonise and clash, creating a poignant and powerful narrative.

Set in the thriving and oil-rich city of Port Harcourt, the book opens with a captivating prologue that sets the tone for what’s to come—a tale of shattered dreams, broken spirits, and the redemptive power of music. Garricks demonstrates a masterful ability to blend words into melodies, painting vivid pictures that dance across the pages and resonate in the hearts of readers.

Each story within the playlist brings forth a diverse range of characters, each with their own distinct voice, struggles, and hopes. From the struggling artist seeking recognition to the broken-hearted lover searching for solace, Garricks delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of identity, love, loss, and the pursuit of happiness.

One major theme we see from the beginning of the book woven throughout the narrative is loss. The loss of people, opportunities and relationships form the basis of most of the short stories in the collection. The way loss affects the lives of the characters, from the hopeful teenager to the policeman and to the lover boy, loss definitely touched them in certain ways. 

Unlike most other short story collections that are very different stand-alone stories cobbled together by a singular theme or location, the interconnectivity of the stories in A Broken People’s Playlist is so complex that one cannot shake the feeling that each story occurs almost simultaneously from different perspectives of people whose lives are deeply intertwined. That, I think, is what makes this collection very wholesome. 

The strength of A Broken People’s Playlist lies in its ability to evoke raw emotions. Garricks employs a melodic prose style, seamlessly transitioning between moments of joy, sorrow, and introspection. With every turn of the page, readers find themselves engulfed in a symphony of heartache and triumph, brought to life through the author’s poetic storytelling.

Furthermore, the book serves as a poignant reflection on Nigerian society, capturing the struggles and aspirations of its people. Through his characters, Garricks sheds light on issues such as political corruption, social inequality, and the relentless pursuit of dreams in the face of adversity. The stories serve as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of art to heal and inspire.

In “A Broken People’s Playlist,” Chiemeka Garricks has created a literary composition that strikes a chord in the hearts of readers. It is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, as well as an ode to the indomitable human spirit. Like a haunting melody that lingers in the mind, this book will stay with readers long after they have turned the final page, leaving them with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

Esther Olamoyegun is a digital marketer and creative writer, she writes from Lagos. 

Meiza Nigeria