Love in Color

April 15, 2021
British Nigerian writer Babalola combines wit and wisdom in this collection of reimagined, mythical love stories based on beautiful folktales, many of them from West Africa, as well as from Greece, India, and the Middle East. This wondrous celebration tackles the emotional complexities inherent in passion, adding depth and shadows without resorting to cynicism. The edgy pain of loss, the anxiety of connection, and the challenges of alignment that are integral parts of all true relationships are richly explored and the resulting happy endings feel all the more vital for Babalola's having acknowledged those difficult realities. In these improvisations on the tales of the Yor�b� river goddess Osun, Egyptian queen Nefertiti, and the Indian goddess Siya, among others, Babalola presents fairy tales for our times with women's agency and ambition built into the narrative arc. By situating her magical dramas in contemporary offices, dorms, and clubs, the author builds new contexts for Scheherazade, Psyche, and Thisbe. This is a joyous read for those interested in literary reworkings and for those looking to explore the complications of loving relationships from fresh perspectives.

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