The Braid Blog

A literary billet-doux to the African world.

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meet the blogger

Hi! Kedu ka i mere! I’m Joy, a 26-year-old Nigerian-American literati with a B.A. & M.A. in English Language and Literature. I’ve always had a passion for reading, writing, and research. As a Louisiana native, my interests encompass all facets of the Black/African experience. Feel free to look around and read what speaks to you, leave a comment, share a post with your mutuals, contact me even. Connect with me on my various socials below, too. I’m excited to be your new blogger bestie!

Category: Fiction

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: Bemused by Farrah Rochon

    Read, Rinse, Repeat: Bemused by Farrah Rochon

    Joy Chibuzo
    6–9 minutes

    Let’s rewind to the Muses—five sisters who sang Hercules into legend and now rise again in Farrah Rochon’s Bemused. This Greek mythology retelling fuses Disney nostalgia, Black girl magic, and divine sisterhood, reminding us that unity isn’t weakness. It’s the truest form of power.

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: Almost There by Farrah Rochon

    Read, Rinse, Repeat: Almost There by Farrah Rochon

    Joy Chibuzo
    4–6 minutes

    What if Princess Tiana’s dream came true—but at a devastating cost? Farrah Rochon’s Almost There: A Twisted Tale reimagines the story of Disney’s only Black princess, navigating magic, grief, and resilience through the misty streets of New Orleans. Step into this haunting retelling where Tiana’s choices blur the line between dreams and darkness.

  • The Dis-education of the Negro, A Contemporary Analysis of Themes and Motifs in Sacrilege: The Curse of the Mbirwi by Nyasha Hatendi

    The Dis-education of the Negro, A Contemporary Analysis of Themes and Motifs in Sacrilege: The Curse of the Mbirwi by Nyasha Hatendi

    Joy Chibuzo
    4–6 minutes

    Ancestral grounds. Forbidden secrets. A family searching for home steps into a nightmare in Nyasha Hatendi’s Sacrilege. But what if the true curse isn’t folklore—it’s colonial erasure? Horror and history collide in this chilling tale of identity, belonging, and the price of miseducation.

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje

    Read, Rinse, Repeat: The Parlour Wife by Foluso Agbaje

    Joy Chibuzo
    5–8 minutes

    Foluso Agbaje, a British-Nigerian author, explores themes of culture, identity, and feminism in her debut novel, The Parlour Wife. Set in 1940s Lagos, the story follows Kehinde, a young woman facing societal challenges amid World War II. Through her journey, themes of resistance and the complexity of womanhood emerge, emphasizing empowerment and choice.

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku

    Read, Rinse, Repeat: Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad by Damilare Kuku

    Joy Chibuzo
    4–5 minutes

    Read, Rinse, Repeat is a new book review series sharing insightful critiques of compelling reads. The first review focuses on Damilare Kuku’s debut collection, Nearly All The Men in Lagos Are Mad, which humorously explores women’s dating experiences through relatable narratives. It’s a recommended read for those seeking engaging, romantic stories.