Love in Colour will probably be one of my favourite novels of the year, I mean there is literally so much that drew me to this book. Myths? Goddesses reimagined as modern women? Feminist retellings? Black Women in power? Yes to all of it. I’ll admit before I got this book I thought it focused on one goddess because I didn’t want to look into it too much to save spoiling myself, but I am so glad it focused on more because that truly showcases the differentiation between the characters that Babalola does so well. She makes each goddess her own unique self and I love it.
Bolu Babalola draws on myths from around the world and re-envisions them, drawing inspiration from the tales of love that they provide. Reading this honestly made me love love all the more, she writes in such an incredible way that makes you feel how the characters are feeling, there were moments when I was squealing as I read because the romantic build up was killing me, moments where the angst almost physically hurt. This book if anything is a love letter to love, and is literally perfect.
As someone who has been obsessed with mythology since the age of four, and is writing a retelling of the Persephone myth, this book has stoked my imagination and passion for mythology. I loved reading it and seeing all the hints towards the original myths and backgrounds of deities, and being introduced to new ones. It has made me want to learn even more about mythology and I adore that.
Babalola expertly centers the women back into their own stories, within the first story about Nigerian goddess Ọṣun she is reminded by Erinlẹ that he “wasn’t looking at Ṣángó’s beloved, I was looking at you.” and when I tell you I swooned! I mean the bar for men is so low that a man reminding a woman she is more than someone’s love got me! For real though, Babalola writes in a way that is electrifying and little moments like that highlight it perfectly. She makes the centering of women feel flawless and sexy, her writing gives the women their choices back and it is beautiful.
Babalola’s writing truly draws you into the stories that she’s telling and she expertly moves them into modern day settings with modern representation of a bisexual goddess, a goddess with vitiligo, and other issues that modern women may face and see themselves represented through. It is beautifully done, and relatable and I can see this book (and Babalola) doing incredibly well through the future. One main aspect of representation that we are faced with in these stories of course is the representation of Black women and other women of colour and not only that but them in love, in loving and supportive relationships experiencing joy. Which is so important to read about because it is so beautiful and something that sadly is not seen enough, but Babalola does it flawlessly.
One thing I truly love about these stories is how Babalola shows how the women truly are badasses. Especially in the stories of Nefertiti and Siya. She draws out the energy in these women and makes them feel powerful, she shows how they interact with their soldiers and she shows how men underestimate women, especially those in power. It is beautiful and empowering, although the other stories are too in their own ways.
I don’t think I could choose a favourite if you had a gun to my head, each myth I loved for different reasons. Ọṣun’s myth opened my eyes immediately to how breathtaking Babalola’s writing was and felt electrifying, the myth of Psyche I was always going to love because of my love for Greek mythology and the callbacks there, but the other myths blew me away. I loved them all. I’m not going to lie, I knew that I would love this book and that it would be good, but each myth retelling drew me in deeper and made me realise that it surpassed all expectations I had. It is an artwork.
As we approach the end of the book we’re given a new section, the New Tales, of modern Black women and I loved it. Babalola clearly draws from her own lived experience here and that is evident in the final tale, a love letter to the story of her parents. It is beautiful, personal and emotional. I genuinely got goosebumps reading it because of how much her pride for her parents and their love and culture poured through the pages. It was breathtaking. She expertly reminds the reader that not only should we call the goddesses of the past goddesses, but that there are goddesses living among us now.
I really cannot rave about or recommend this book enough. I highly suggest you go and pick this up, you won’t regret it at all. Full of beautiful storytelling and an appreciation for love in it’s purest and different forms. Bolu Babalola’s work truly is a gift. Okay I’m gonna stop gushing now, because I could really go on for ages about how much I loved this book. If you do read this let me know what you think, which story was your favourite?
Love,
Carey
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