The book is actually divided into four parts, which are tears , kisses, heroes and villains which coincidentally is similar to the title of the book. This book compiles sad stories at the beginning which handles the issue of death quite completely. I found that quite macabre for someone who I know enjoys the world of romance and love. Many of the stories were very sad but the one that touched my heart the most was the first story by Yejide Kilanko which had a very sudden but macabre end. That end raised questions even though it was all within a couple of pages. That story was called a `glimpse in the mirror'. The second part of the book which was the kisses segment showcased happier tales often of school, first love, crushes but it had a lighter note which was quite refreshing. The story that tickled my soul was Seyi Osinowo's, "How I kissed Hadiza". Having spent some of my formative years in Nigeria, I could so see it happening. You know how guys like to lie that they did certain things with girls that are generally 90 percent their imagination and 10 percent true. It was a very well told, short story. I was really impressed. Honorable mention definitely goes to Uko Bendi Udo for the story "One Sunday Morning In Atlanta" who tells a humorous tale about Okon's church and evangelism experience. It is a story that will get you laughing at several points at how he paints a very succinct imagery of Okon's experience in church. I will quote a line that rings quite true for some, "How could a man concentrate on the immediate task of worshiping his God when round, shapely, juicy female butts like the ones in front of him always got in the way?"Vongtau, Lulufa; Chukwubuike, Chidozie ; Abe, Rayo; Whitman, Myne; Banjo, Bankole; Kilanko, Yejide; Ezenwaka, Kingsley (2012-03-06). Of Tears and Kisses, Heroes and Villains (Naija Stories) (p. 80). NS Publishing Ltd. Kindle Edition. A valid question but lest, I digress, you have to read this story.
The third part of the book features more heroic tales. But, these tales aren't the usual superhero characters that save the day. Some of these heroes are just regular people who do simple things in a way that marks them as special. There are two stories that deserve honorable mention and they are Rayo Abe's , `Mother of Darkness' and Tamo Iruene, `Kitchen Practicals'. The reason these two stories resonated are because they are just simply everyday stories. For those who went to boarding school or envied those that went to these schools, we were regaled with stories of supernatural events and entities that existed in schools. Rayo Abe, tells a story that will still keep you guessing after the last word. Tamo Iruene in the story, `Kitchen Practicals' tells a story that will keep you saying aww after its done. The plight of the baby of the family who really wants to grow up is showcased in this story. At the end of the story, father is the hero because of his diplomacy in handling this sensitive issue. You have to read the book to find out what I am going on about.
The last part of the book ends on a rather a bitter sweet note. Two stories stood out, Lulufa Vongtau's `Jesus of Sport Hall' and `What Theophilus did' by Gboyega Otolorin. We've been told that evil doesn't pay and that corruption will lead to death but what happens if corruption actually pays and evil gets you what you want. These are ideas explored in this segment of the book and more prominently in these stories in which we have very corrupt people getting rewarded by society. These stories are real even though fictionalized. Can we just call it faction?
But, it is a good book to pick up. You get to enjoy the flavors of what it means to be Nigerian and to see things from a very Nigerian perspective where things aren't often black and white, where spirituality seems intermingled with every day life and where every day people can become heroes.
