You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Founder | Akwaeke Emezi |
| Products | Romance novel |
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty is a 2022 romance novel authored by Nigerian writer Akwaeke Emezi. Marking Emezi's inaugural foray into romance and their third novel aimed at adult readers, the story centers on Feyi Adekola, a Nigerian American visual artist navigating the process of healing after widowhood while encountering new romantic possibilities.
Background
Emezi's first romance novel draws partial inspiration from the song "Hunger" by Florence + the Machine. The book’s title originates from a lyric within this track, chosen after discarding alternative options. Purposefully steering clear of conventional romance clichés, Emezi constructs a forbidden love triangle portrayed through a queer perspective. The narrative highlights bisexual protagonists Feyi and Alim, alongside Joy, who is a lesbian character, thereby representing varied sexual orientations. Additionally, Feyi's artistic pursuits reflect Emezi’s own background as a visual artist.
Reception
Critics generally responded favorably to the novel. It ranked among the most eagerly awaited books of 2022 according to publications such as Vogue, Thrillist, Essence, The Washington Post, and Vulture. Emma Specter, writing for Vogue, commended Emezi’s innovative take on the romance genre. The New York Times Book Review characterized it as "an unabashed ode to living with, and despite, pain and mortality," striking a chord particularly with readers impacted by the pandemic. PopSugar described it as "a riveting and emotional exploration of grief and second chances," while Publishers Weekly remarked that it "is sure to tug at readers' heartstrings."
Adaptation
In April 2021, Deadline Hollywood announced that Amazon Studios acquired film adaptation rights for You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty through a high six-figure agreement, noted as the most significant book deal of that year to date. The project is being developed by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society in collaboration with Elizabeth Raposo, with Akwaeke Emezi attached as an executive producer.