Allow Me To Introduce Myself, Onyi Nwabineli
Onyi Nwabineli’s second novel is a thoughtful and tender-hearted triumph. Delving into the murky world of online influencers and the destructive repercussions of a familial relationship becoming commercial and exploitative, Allow Me to Introduce Myself offers both a beautiful, all-consuming read, as well as the opportunity for readers to consider the effects of an online practice that is ever more commonplace.
At the heart of the novel is Anuri, whose childhood was chronicled and monetised by her stepmother, and is now embarking on the process of detangling herself from an online presence she never asked for and has grown to resent. When Anuri sees the same dynamic beginning with her younger sister, she sets out to put an end to what she believes is an exploitative cycle of abuse.
Written in lyrical, rich language, Nwabineli’s novel is filled to the brim with lovable yet flawed characters – always authentic and never one-dimensional – which gives Allow Me to Introduce Myself a real sense of roundedness and relatability. Alternating narrative perspectives grant readers an even deeper immersion into the landscape of characters Nwabineli has created, abundant with complex psyches and motives that begin to unravel.
Despite Anuri’s challenging and often heartbreaking situation, this book is full of warmth. Having surrounded herself with loving, grounded, and supportive friends and family, Anuri builds upon her own self-determination and strength to stand up for herself, stand up for her beliefs, and reclaim her identity.
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