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The Icarus Girl
The audacious first novel from the award-winning and bestselling author of Boy, Snow, Bird and What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours • “Oyeyemi brilliantly conjures up the raw emotions and playground banter of childhood. . . . A masterly first novel.”– The New York Times Book Review
"Remarkable. . . . As original as it is unsettling, The Icarus Girl runs straight at the heart of what it means to belong."– O, The Oprah Magazine
Jessamy “Jess” Harrison, age eight, is the child of an English father and a Nigerian mother. Possessed of an extraordinary imagination, she has a hard time fitting in at school. It is only when she visits Nigeria for the first time that she makes a friend who understands a ragged little girl named TillyTilly. But soon TillyTilly’s visits become more disturbing, until Jess realizes she doesn’t actually know who her friend is at all. Drawing on Nigerian mythology, Helen Oyeyemi presents a striking variation on the classic literary theme of doubles — both real and spiritual — in this lyrical and bold debut.
"Remarkable. . . . As original as it is unsettling, The Icarus Girl runs straight at the heart of what it means to belong."– O, The Oprah Magazine
Jessamy “Jess” Harrison, age eight, is the child of an English father and a Nigerian mother. Possessed of an extraordinary imagination, she has a hard time fitting in at school. It is only when she visits Nigeria for the first time that she makes a friend who understands a ragged little girl named TillyTilly. But soon TillyTilly’s visits become more disturbing, until Jess realizes she doesn’t actually know who her friend is at all. Drawing on Nigerian mythology, Helen Oyeyemi presents a striking variation on the classic literary theme of doubles — both real and spiritual — in this lyrical and bold debut.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2005
About the author
Helen Oyeyemi
34 books5,189 followersHelen Oyeyemi is a British novelist. She lives in Prague, and has written eleven books so far, none of which involve ‘magical realism’. Can’t fiction sometimes get extra fictional without being called such names…?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 728 reviews
May 29, 2021
okay, so the ending - who knows - but the rest of the book had a lot of enjoyable writing. it's true it was predictable and there were some inconsistencies, but then i realized she was 17 when she wrote this, so i forgave the flaws.(so magnanimous, i) it would have been 4 stars, but that ending.... but i have her other novel so i'll read that, and the new one is out soon and i'm sure that they will be more mature but still retaining the "good bits" from this first one.
come to my blog!
February 13, 2016
My final feelings about this book couldn't be any farther from where they started. I selected this book as one of the latest piles for a speed-dating project, and after 50 pages I wanted to put everything else aside and immerse in the story. The writing of the young girl Jessamy and her mysterious friend grabbed me - it felt new, different, fresh.
Somehow along the way it grew tiresome. I think perhaps the idea made a better short story and it just seemed stretched out, the ending was not very satisfying, and it could have been handled better. Still a promising debut from an author I continue to hear great things about, and I'm looking forward to reading her more recent works. She was only 18 years old when this was published!
Somehow along the way it grew tiresome. I think perhaps the idea made a better short story and it just seemed stretched out, the ending was not very satisfying, and it could have been handled better. Still a promising debut from an author I continue to hear great things about, and I'm looking forward to reading her more recent works. She was only 18 years old when this was published!
November 9, 2007
As an English teacher, I spend a lot of time being told to tell teenagers that the "only" important West African author is Chinua Achebe. Having long believed that Benjamin Oke and Sole Woyinka prove that wrong, I was delighted to find The Icarus Girl, and in it, a lovely, slightly scary story about a Nigerian/British girl. It is more Western than most "Africa" books; more African than most English books. In all, it is a delight, and I look forward to reading more from the same author.
April 14, 2017
Oyeyemi wrote this whilst still doing her A levels at the age of eighteen! It is an interesting exploration of a troubled child looking at imaginary friends, mental health vs normalcy, identity, twins, loss and conflicting cultures. Ambitious for a first novel. It revolves around Jessamy Harrison the child of a Nigerian mother and an English father. She is eight years old. Jessamy is quite precocious for her age, but she is also prone to difficult behaviours. Whilst in Nigeria Jessamy meets a friend called Titiola (named TillyTilly by Jessamy); a friend no one else seems to be able to see who can make things happen and do things no one else can (going on rides in the fairground when it is closed for instance. TillyTilly can also affect other people as well. For some reviewers the relationship with TillyTilly moves the book into the horror or supernatural genres; I understand why this is;
“A girl was standing silently above her, looking down at her with narrow, dark eyes so dark that, to Jess, lying on the ground, they seemed pupil-less. There was something about her that was out of proportion. Was she too tall and yet too... small at the same time?”
When bad or negative things happen to those around her Jessamy sees TillyTilly’s hand in this and thinks she/TillyTilly is the cause. Initially Jessamy is more excited and intrigued, but in time becomes worried and concerned as effects are felt by those close to her. I think the temptation to move towards horror and supernatural descriptives is a mistake. There is certainly a touch of magic realism present, but it is more about a child working out what influence and power she has in the world and worrying about the damage she may be capable of causing.
The novel moves between Nigeria and England and Oyeyemi manages to illustrate the tensions between cultures and traditions rather well. Modern psychology in England to address the issues and more traditional/religious approaches in Nigeria. Neither of which really work. Jessamy had a twin who died at birth and her discovery of this provides another focus.
I found the ending a little odd and inconclusive and some of the plotlines seem a little naïve, but Oyeyemi is a great writer and TillyTilly’s multiplicity leads to so many possibilities. The novel opens with Jessamy hiding in a cupboard;
“Outside the cupboard, Jess felt as if she was in a place where everything moved past too fast, all colours, all people talking and wanting her to say things.”
Here she feels safe. Coming out of the cupboard she has to make sense of the outside world; not an easy task. Some of us are still doing it!
“A girl was standing silently above her, looking down at her with narrow, dark eyes so dark that, to Jess, lying on the ground, they seemed pupil-less. There was something about her that was out of proportion. Was she too tall and yet too... small at the same time?”
When bad or negative things happen to those around her Jessamy sees TillyTilly’s hand in this and thinks she/TillyTilly is the cause. Initially Jessamy is more excited and intrigued, but in time becomes worried and concerned as effects are felt by those close to her. I think the temptation to move towards horror and supernatural descriptives is a mistake. There is certainly a touch of magic realism present, but it is more about a child working out what influence and power she has in the world and worrying about the damage she may be capable of causing.
The novel moves between Nigeria and England and Oyeyemi manages to illustrate the tensions between cultures and traditions rather well. Modern psychology in England to address the issues and more traditional/religious approaches in Nigeria. Neither of which really work. Jessamy had a twin who died at birth and her discovery of this provides another focus.
I found the ending a little odd and inconclusive and some of the plotlines seem a little naïve, but Oyeyemi is a great writer and TillyTilly’s multiplicity leads to so many possibilities. The novel opens with Jessamy hiding in a cupboard;
“Outside the cupboard, Jess felt as if she was in a place where everything moved past too fast, all colours, all people talking and wanting her to say things.”
Here she feels safe. Coming out of the cupboard she has to make sense of the outside world; not an easy task. Some of us are still doing it!
May 27, 2022
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That Helen Oyeyemi wrote her debut novel aged 18 while studying for her A-Levels is certainly an impressive feat. And, as debuts go, The Icarus Child is by no means a weak one. As this happens to be the third book I’ve read of hers I can see just how much her writing has grown since The Icarus Child. The story’s surreal atmosphere is certainly one that permeates most of her works, but perhaps here the fantastical elements aren’t as mind-boggling as the ones characterising her later books.
The Icarus Child revolves around Jessamy Harrison, who goes by Jess, an eight-year-old child with a white British father and a Nigerian mother living in England. The novel opens with her going on a trip to Nigeria with her parents where she stays in her mother’s family home. Here she comes across a girl called TillyTilly. The two quickly become friends but much about TillyTilly preoccupies Jess. Where are her parents? How old is she?
When she returns home with her family Jess discovers that TillyTilly has followed her there. As they spend more and more time together Jess realizes that TillyTilly is not like other children and that angering or antagonising her might result in disaster. Yet, her friendship with TillyTilly proves detrimental as an increasingly alienated Jess finds herself in trouble at school and at home.
Although the story is narrated through a 3rd pov Oyeyemi succeeds in authentically conveying Jess' voice. We view her reality/world through her eyes and with her ‘child’ understanding. Things that are obvious to us are a mystery to her (for example when she observes the behaviour/actions of the adults around her). Jess is a sensitive child who often seeks refuge in her own imagination. The adults fail to understand or try to label her ‘difficult’ or ‘different’. Her loneliness is so poignant that I found myself truly invested in her character. TillyTilly is more of a trickster sort of figure, egging Jess to misbehave or let loose. Their dynamic brought to mind my own childhood best friend who was a fun if slightly tyrannical girl who was very much aware of how in awe of her I was (if she told me to jump, i’d jump).
What brings the story down is its meandering pacing and its repetitive scenes. When I thought that the story was reaching a conclusion I was amazed to discover that I was only at the halfway point. Much of the narrative consists in Jess having steadily severe temper tantrums, fighting with other girls at her school, or having to face her understandably exasperated mother. There were also some dream/nightmare sequences that were intentionally confusing that didn’t really add much to the narrative or atmosphere. The character of TillyTilly also proved a bit of a disappointment as she says the same ‘creepy’ things over and over again. The prose too was at times a tad jejune. Anyhow, the latter half of the novel was a bit of a chore to get trough. I found myself skim-reading hoping that the ending would be worth it but was let down by a frankly anticlimactic conclusion.
All in all, I would recommend this to fans of this author. While the story and writing aren't quite as polished as her more recent releases, and on the whole, the novel isn't as vivacious or as humorous as her usual stuff, The Icarus Child does introduce us to a compelling protagonist.
That Helen Oyeyemi wrote her debut novel aged 18 while studying for her A-Levels is certainly an impressive feat. And, as debuts go, The Icarus Child is by no means a weak one. As this happens to be the third book I’ve read of hers I can see just how much her writing has grown since The Icarus Child. The story’s surreal atmosphere is certainly one that permeates most of her works, but perhaps here the fantastical elements aren’t as mind-boggling as the ones characterising her later books.
The Icarus Child revolves around Jessamy Harrison, who goes by Jess, an eight-year-old child with a white British father and a Nigerian mother living in England. The novel opens with her going on a trip to Nigeria with her parents where she stays in her mother’s family home. Here she comes across a girl called TillyTilly. The two quickly become friends but much about TillyTilly preoccupies Jess. Where are her parents? How old is she?
When she returns home with her family Jess discovers that TillyTilly has followed her there. As they spend more and more time together Jess realizes that TillyTilly is not like other children and that angering or antagonising her might result in disaster. Yet, her friendship with TillyTilly proves detrimental as an increasingly alienated Jess finds herself in trouble at school and at home.
Although the story is narrated through a 3rd pov Oyeyemi succeeds in authentically conveying Jess' voice. We view her reality/world through her eyes and with her ‘child’ understanding. Things that are obvious to us are a mystery to her (for example when she observes the behaviour/actions of the adults around her). Jess is a sensitive child who often seeks refuge in her own imagination. The adults fail to understand or try to label her ‘difficult’ or ‘different’. Her loneliness is so poignant that I found myself truly invested in her character. TillyTilly is more of a trickster sort of figure, egging Jess to misbehave or let loose. Their dynamic brought to mind my own childhood best friend who was a fun if slightly tyrannical girl who was very much aware of how in awe of her I was (if she told me to jump, i’d jump).
What brings the story down is its meandering pacing and its repetitive scenes. When I thought that the story was reaching a conclusion I was amazed to discover that I was only at the halfway point. Much of the narrative consists in Jess having steadily severe temper tantrums, fighting with other girls at her school, or having to face her understandably exasperated mother. There were also some dream/nightmare sequences that were intentionally confusing that didn’t really add much to the narrative or atmosphere. The character of TillyTilly also proved a bit of a disappointment as she says the same ‘creepy’ things over and over again. The prose too was at times a tad jejune. Anyhow, the latter half of the novel was a bit of a chore to get trough. I found myself skim-reading hoping that the ending would be worth it but was let down by a frankly anticlimactic conclusion.
All in all, I would recommend this to fans of this author. While the story and writing aren't quite as polished as her more recent releases, and on the whole, the novel isn't as vivacious or as humorous as her usual stuff, The Icarus Child does introduce us to a compelling protagonist.
February 10, 2008
I didn't go to sleep the night I finished this novel. I got into bed and attempted to read my chapter or two and ended up reading until I was done...at 5 o'clock in the morning! Every time I finished one chapter, I had to read the next and then the next. But nothing ever happened...other than extreme creepiness due to the main character, 8 year old Jess's evil-creepy alter ego/spirit/imaginary friend of the same age. I had way too many questions when this story was done. I mean, I like it when the story kind of stays with you at the end and gives you things to think about, but this story just seems unfinished. Like the author got tired after the first half and neglected to revisit characters and events that were developed and foreshadowed earlier.
Actually, I think the foreshadowing was all in my head...part of my need to know more...my refusal to believe that there wasn't more to be told of certain events later. I expected to learn so much in the second half of the book. Like I said, I stayed up all night to find out. All night. And nothing. Maybe it's Helen Oyeyemi's age (19 when she wrote it) or my inability to read and understand her kind of storytelling. Whatever the case, I did not love this book. I wanted to SO badly. I think it's worthy of a re-read...in a year or so. Maybe it was me. I'm willing to give it another chance just to be sure.
Actually, I think the foreshadowing was all in my head...part of my need to know more...my refusal to believe that there wasn't more to be told of certain events later. I expected to learn so much in the second half of the book. Like I said, I stayed up all night to find out. All night. And nothing. Maybe it's Helen Oyeyemi's age (19 when she wrote it) or my inability to read and understand her kind of storytelling. Whatever the case, I did not love this book. I wanted to SO badly. I think it's worthy of a re-read...in a year or so. Maybe it was me. I'm willing to give it another chance just to be sure.
November 18, 2009
While this debut novel is certainly an impressive achievement for an 18-year-old writer, it's hard to escape the conclusion that purely on its own merits as a book, it's rather flat. Apparently partially inspired by the author's own troubles as a child, the story centers on the psychological problems of 8-year-old Jessamy. The lonely only child of a Nigerian woman and English father, she lives in the suburbs of Kent, England, and we meet her for the first time as she hides in a linen closet. The set-up is pure gothic lit, little Jessamy has been experiencing unexplainable fevers and tantrums and is considered "weird" at school. Events are set in motion when her family takes a trip to Nigeria to visit her mother's relatives. There she meets a local girl her own age named Titiola (aka TillyTilly) whom she befriends and who shows up on Jess's doorstep after they return to England. But is TillyTilly real?
Oyeyemi is being deliberately ambiguous with the material, but as TillyTilly becomes more and more a part of Jess's life, and goads her into acting out, the reader is forced to make a decision as to how to read the increasingly sinister events. One option for the reader is to believe that TillyTilly is purely imaginary and a construct of Jess's damaged psyche, and that all that follows is Jess's doing. Alternatively, one can read the story as being more gothicly supernatural -- TillyTilly is real, and can affect the physical world. In my book club, people split down the middle on how they took the story, but for me, the latter interpretation is the only way to get any pleasure from the story. Especially as we learn that Jess had a twin who died at childbirth and that in her mother's native Yoruba culture twins have a very special resonance and power. The reader is given glimpses and impressions of the importance of this cultural element, but it's never really spelled out in enough detail. Oyeyemi attempts to build suspense and tension by slowly raising the stakes, but the increasingly strange events seem to carry less consequence than they merit, and it generally just feels like more and more of the same until an awkward and rushed climax in Nigeria.
There are a number of other problems with the book. Although the author does a very nice job capturing the turbulent emotional world of a powerless 8-year-old girl, Jessamy is also far too insightful and learned at times (she's reading Hamlet, writing haikus, discoursing on Coleridge, etc.). Her parents are very poorly characterized, very flat and insubstantial, disappearing for large swathes of the story and remarkably inept and clueless when they are around. Given the fairly extreme and escalating behavior Jess exhibits, they express neither the concern nor urgency one might expect. Her therapist is equally flat, and it seems somewhat unlikely that his protocol would include letting clients roam around his house with his daughter (who is about the only other character with any life, a kind of bold and fearless type of little girl). Jess's Nigerian relatives are all standard-issue kindly, fun people, except for her grandfather, who has the potential to be interesting, but isn't given enough time to be fully developed. Ultimately, unless one is deeply into the mystical/gothic elements, the book is rather flat. The juxtaposition of Nigerian and English cultures doesn't really amount to very much (certainly not when compared to other "cross-cultural" novels, the most obvious example being Zadie Smith's "White Teeth"). The prose is fine, nothing special (granted, impressive for an 18-year-old), and there's really no reason I would recommend this to anyone. I wouldn't necessarily dissuade anyone from reading it, but there's just nothing particularly compelling about it.
Oyeyemi is being deliberately ambiguous with the material, but as TillyTilly becomes more and more a part of Jess's life, and goads her into acting out, the reader is forced to make a decision as to how to read the increasingly sinister events. One option for the reader is to believe that TillyTilly is purely imaginary and a construct of Jess's damaged psyche, and that all that follows is Jess's doing. Alternatively, one can read the story as being more gothicly supernatural -- TillyTilly is real, and can affect the physical world. In my book club, people split down the middle on how they took the story, but for me, the latter interpretation is the only way to get any pleasure from the story. Especially as we learn that Jess had a twin who died at childbirth and that in her mother's native Yoruba culture twins have a very special resonance and power. The reader is given glimpses and impressions of the importance of this cultural element, but it's never really spelled out in enough detail. Oyeyemi attempts to build suspense and tension by slowly raising the stakes, but the increasingly strange events seem to carry less consequence than they merit, and it generally just feels like more and more of the same until an awkward and rushed climax in Nigeria.
There are a number of other problems with the book. Although the author does a very nice job capturing the turbulent emotional world of a powerless 8-year-old girl, Jessamy is also far too insightful and learned at times (she's reading Hamlet, writing haikus, discoursing on Coleridge, etc.). Her parents are very poorly characterized, very flat and insubstantial, disappearing for large swathes of the story and remarkably inept and clueless when they are around. Given the fairly extreme and escalating behavior Jess exhibits, they express neither the concern nor urgency one might expect. Her therapist is equally flat, and it seems somewhat unlikely that his protocol would include letting clients roam around his house with his daughter (who is about the only other character with any life, a kind of bold and fearless type of little girl). Jess's Nigerian relatives are all standard-issue kindly, fun people, except for her grandfather, who has the potential to be interesting, but isn't given enough time to be fully developed. Ultimately, unless one is deeply into the mystical/gothic elements, the book is rather flat. The juxtaposition of Nigerian and English cultures doesn't really amount to very much (certainly not when compared to other "cross-cultural" novels, the most obvious example being Zadie Smith's "White Teeth"). The prose is fine, nothing special (granted, impressive for an 18-year-old), and there's really no reason I would recommend this to anyone. I wouldn't necessarily dissuade anyone from reading it, but there's just nothing particularly compelling about it.
November 3, 2008
It has taken me way longer than it should to get through this 320 page book. I just couldn't do it. I lost interest 100 pages into it, not because it was boring but because it just wasn't engaging. I didn't form any attachments to the characters, I didn't look forward to picking it up in my free time to continue reading, and i'm not at all curious as to how the plot will pan out (Ok maybe just a little curious, but not enough). Although i do have to say that even though i wasn't so invested in it, a part of me didn't want to quit reading. I wanted to continue against my will because it seemed to have such potential. Chapter after chapter i kept saying 'if i keep going, it'll pick up' but alas i just did not care enough about the story to press on, maybe some other time.
October 12, 2015
If you believe there is a fine line between madness and psychic abilities this is a fascinating look at one troubled young girl's life. Well worth the read even if you don't hold those beliefs.
September 8, 2016
This is an exquisite examination of the mind of an imaginative child, with just hints of otherness around the edges. The child and her thought processes are amazing – and Oyeyemi’s ability to maintain a certain ambivalence is remarkable.
May 12, 2016
3.5 stars, rounded down for the ending, which felt too rushed and a bit too inconclusive!
I have shelved this as horror, as it certainly contained some very creepy and downright scary scenes. On the one hand, it's a story about a half-English, half-Nigerian little girl coming to terms with her feelings of not fitting in. On the other hand, it's a dark dark tale incorporating some seriously terrifying mythologies. This book was written when the author was still at sixth form, and taken in that context the writing is amazing - I'll certainly be looking to read more of her work, though possibly not at bed time judging by this one :-)
I have shelved this as horror, as it certainly contained some very creepy and downright scary scenes. On the one hand, it's a story about a half-English, half-Nigerian little girl coming to terms with her feelings of not fitting in. On the other hand, it's a dark dark tale incorporating some seriously terrifying mythologies. This book was written when the author was still at sixth form, and taken in that context the writing is amazing - I'll certainly be looking to read more of her work, though possibly not at bed time judging by this one :-)
June 8, 2017
Not my favourite of Oyeyemi's work, but then again - she wrote this while studying for her final highschool exams (I can barely string a sentence together on deadline at the moment, with no exams in sight) and the writing is beautiful and strong in equal measure.
The only problem is the plot, which has a tendency to tangle in on itself without quite getting anywhere. Even the ending is a little flat - it needs something more, if not explanation or resolution then at least more dreaminess, more uncertainty. But oh, that final sentence is perfection!
The only problem is the plot, which has a tendency to tangle in on itself without quite getting anywhere. Even the ending is a little flat - it needs something more, if not explanation or resolution then at least more dreaminess, more uncertainty. But oh, that final sentence is perfection!
Shelved as 'unhauled'
February 18, 2017Mind-numbingly boring. Bailed a quarter of the way in.
September 9, 2015
3.5 stars.
Jessamy is 8 years old, half-English and half-Nigerian and has a friend named TillyTilly that no one else can see. TillyTilly wreaks havoc on Jessamy's life and the lives of those around her.
I liked this book, but I also felt confused by this book. I came to this title because it was described as having a lot to do with Nigerian fairy tales. The moment I finished reading this book, I fired up google to find out what I could about Nigerian fairy tales, which was not a lot. So that unfortunately did not enrich my reading at all.
That being said, Oyeyemi wrote this at age 19, which is really something. (I was doing nothing of significance or importance at that age. Just finishing up my gen eds in college.) It's also clear that she's grown significantly as a writer since then. There's much of the wit, life, and sinister magic of Boy, Snow, Bird in The Icarus Girl, but Icarus just wasn't as cohesive on the whole to me. For most of the book I was wondering if I'd missed something, but that wasn't enough to ruin the experience for me. The writing is clever and really beautiful at times, and dives deeply into otherness and race elegantly.
Jessamy is 8 years old, half-English and half-Nigerian and has a friend named TillyTilly that no one else can see. TillyTilly wreaks havoc on Jessamy's life and the lives of those around her.
I liked this book, but I also felt confused by this book. I came to this title because it was described as having a lot to do with Nigerian fairy tales. The moment I finished reading this book, I fired up google to find out what I could about Nigerian fairy tales, which was not a lot. So that unfortunately did not enrich my reading at all.
That being said, Oyeyemi wrote this at age 19, which is really something. (I was doing nothing of significance or importance at that age. Just finishing up my gen eds in college.) It's also clear that she's grown significantly as a writer since then. There's much of the wit, life, and sinister magic of Boy, Snow, Bird in The Icarus Girl, but Icarus just wasn't as cohesive on the whole to me. For most of the book I was wondering if I'd missed something, but that wasn't enough to ruin the experience for me. The writing is clever and really beautiful at times, and dives deeply into otherness and race elegantly.
August 6, 2015
I didn't follow every single thing that happened in this book but it was okay? I was pretty into it, so even if some of its magical bits clunked around, I let them.
I was entirely unprepared for how scary this was. It isn't a horror book at all, but a lot of scenes are genuinely frightening! I did a lot of the reading at bedtime, in the dark in a strange house. I loved it but wow.
I impulse-bought this at a stoop sale just before leaving Brooklyn, even though I was on a strict no-new-books packing regimen. I started reading it on the plane the day we left New York to move to London, not realizing London is the setting of the book. Nice little tendril of fate.
I was entirely unprepared for how scary this was. It isn't a horror book at all, but a lot of scenes are genuinely frightening! I did a lot of the reading at bedtime, in the dark in a strange house. I loved it but wow.
I impulse-bought this at a stoop sale just before leaving Brooklyn, even though I was on a strict no-new-books packing regimen. I started reading it on the plane the day we left New York to move to London, not realizing London is the setting of the book. Nice little tendril of fate.
August 9, 2016
Like almost everyone else, I was not satisfied with the ending, but marvel at the fact that Helen Oyeyemi was only 18 when she wrote it. Had everything somehow come more together in the end, I would have given this book 5 stars. Regardless of the ending this book is definitely worth reading and I look forward to discovering more books from this author!
April 6, 2023
Siobhan was struck by how cold she felt, but it was a constantly moving coldness, sometimes giving way to normal air, as if it was expanding all around her. She feared that it might tighten, and she longed to rub her arms, but didn't dare drop them in case she saw Tilly Tilly. She didn't want to see her at all: from the moment that Tilly had come into the room, Shivs had felt a . .. badness. It was the only way to describe it: it was like being sick and hearing rattling in your ears that wasn't really there; it was slow, bottomless, soundless, creeping ... and it wasn't just inside her stomach, but inside her head as well, slowly building in pressure. She'd had to make sure that she wasn't imagining it, she'd needed the security of Jess's touch to ensure that she wasn't alone in the room with this ... thing. This was not another girl. This was not the kind of imaginary friend that you'd mistakenly sit on. She was a cycle of glacial ice. "She's walking around me in a circle," Shivs whispered slowly, trying not to let her arms tremble. She heard Jess let out a little cry of amazement and was seized with a sudden, irrational fear that this thing would stop moving and dart out a sly, fleeting touch that would take her away forever and ever. She almost shouted out, almost. But she didn't she was tougher than that, and anyway, she realised with a breathtaking suddenness, this was not her fear to hold but Jess's. This thing meant to harm Jess, punish her in a bad way, the worst way, maybe. Siobhan was scared that Jess was going to die. She had to tell her. "Jess, this- Jess moved forward towards Siobhan, who was fighting the quivering of her own lips to speak. She wanted to touch her, but Tilly Tilly, still unsmiling, put up a cautionary finger indicating that she should go no nearer. She had now stopped directly in front of Shivs, close enough to touch her.
- The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi
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Why was this book is not being marketed or at least labelled as a horror novel? I concurred with Zen Cho’s review in Goodreads - Failing to market it properly is doing such disservice towards this book. Its been a while since i’ve read any horror stories but reading this book felt very creepy and it left that unsettling feeling churning in my stomach. The only comparison i can give is if you have read ‘the girl and the ghost by Hanna Alkaf’ but imagine the ghost is more sinister, wicked and gaslighting the shit out of main character. As for the Main Character, at least Suraya in ‘the girl and the ghost’ knew that once people started to get hurt that ‘Pink - the ghost’ was not a company you should keep around. It was really a jaw dropping moment despite Mrs Patel has been driven to Insanity and admitted to hospital, Her Mother’s computer were being thrashed and even when the ghost accidentally forced her to swap places, Jess / Jessamy still befriending her. The only reason I can guess right away who is Titiola / TillyTilly the moment Jess / Jessamy encountered her. What started as a sweet and innocent friendship turned into a predatory and horrifying relationship. It is important to note that African and Asian usually has a fair of mythology / spirits / folktales whereby we dont play around whenever demon / ghosts were rumored to be wandering away around the area. We maybe superstitious but it is better to be safe than sorry. I wished someone looked out for Jessamy when she decided to venture around the old quarters nearby his grandfather house in Nigeria. Once she returned to England, things started to get really weird. Jessamy has been lone soul and did not have any close friend. She was bullied and being a mixed race child also put her under scrutiny of which identity she belonged to. When Jessamy saw Tillytilly again in England and genuinely believe that Tillytilly believe moved from Nigeria to England, they have become best friends. The problem here is none of Jessamy’s family members and friends can see Tillytilly. This is just a usual tactic of vengeful spirit preying on a weak child knowing that she will be alone , thirst for affection and company and will do everything to be good so that they can be friends. Funny how i was under the impression that Tillytilly was genuine until she started to get crazy jealous with anyone that are friendly with Jess / Jessamy and appeared anytime she likes , disturbing Jess / Jessamy life, - i kept on mumbling to myself asking Jess to tell her mother the truth. This whole thing ‘Kena Rasuk + Ada Benda ikut balik’ was so triggering because ive seen this happened in Malaysia as well. Overall, this is a fantastic book. I love how Helen Oyeyemi paid tribute to her culture in highlighting the belief - the twins God & the sacrifices. She also ventured into the identity domain - what its like being ‘Half/Half’ as what Nigerian called when one of your parents are not from Nigeria. I actually expected half of the book setting to be in Nigeria as i love the scenes of Jess / Jessamy with Her Maternal Grandpa and the portrayal of big family nucleus that was common in African countries but was so rare where she was born and coming from. Of course, another points i would like to raise is clashes of parenting Idea between Jess / Jessamy’s parents (one is European and another is African) - beating / not beating the child, sending the kid to psychologist or insisting that kid is not crazy and all kids act the same at that age and the boundaries between parents and their children. The only thing that stopping me from giving this 5 stars is the ending. I was let down by it. I wanted it to be detailed but i was denied of it.
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- The Icarus Girl by Helen Oyeyemi
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Why was this book is not being marketed or at least labelled as a horror novel? I concurred with Zen Cho’s review in Goodreads - Failing to market it properly is doing such disservice towards this book. Its been a while since i’ve read any horror stories but reading this book felt very creepy and it left that unsettling feeling churning in my stomach. The only comparison i can give is if you have read ‘the girl and the ghost by Hanna Alkaf’ but imagine the ghost is more sinister, wicked and gaslighting the shit out of main character. As for the Main Character, at least Suraya in ‘the girl and the ghost’ knew that once people started to get hurt that ‘Pink - the ghost’ was not a company you should keep around. It was really a jaw dropping moment despite Mrs Patel has been driven to Insanity and admitted to hospital, Her Mother’s computer were being thrashed and even when the ghost accidentally forced her to swap places, Jess / Jessamy still befriending her. The only reason I can guess right away who is Titiola / TillyTilly the moment Jess / Jessamy encountered her. What started as a sweet and innocent friendship turned into a predatory and horrifying relationship. It is important to note that African and Asian usually has a fair of mythology / spirits / folktales whereby we dont play around whenever demon / ghosts were rumored to be wandering away around the area. We maybe superstitious but it is better to be safe than sorry. I wished someone looked out for Jessamy when she decided to venture around the old quarters nearby his grandfather house in Nigeria. Once she returned to England, things started to get really weird. Jessamy has been lone soul and did not have any close friend. She was bullied and being a mixed race child also put her under scrutiny of which identity she belonged to. When Jessamy saw Tillytilly again in England and genuinely believe that Tillytilly believe moved from Nigeria to England, they have become best friends. The problem here is none of Jessamy’s family members and friends can see Tillytilly. This is just a usual tactic of vengeful spirit preying on a weak child knowing that she will be alone , thirst for affection and company and will do everything to be good so that they can be friends. Funny how i was under the impression that Tillytilly was genuine until she started to get crazy jealous with anyone that are friendly with Jess / Jessamy and appeared anytime she likes , disturbing Jess / Jessamy life, - i kept on mumbling to myself asking Jess to tell her mother the truth. This whole thing ‘Kena Rasuk + Ada Benda ikut balik’ was so triggering because ive seen this happened in Malaysia as well. Overall, this is a fantastic book. I love how Helen Oyeyemi paid tribute to her culture in highlighting the belief - the twins God & the sacrifices. She also ventured into the identity domain - what its like being ‘Half/Half’ as what Nigerian called when one of your parents are not from Nigeria. I actually expected half of the book setting to be in Nigeria as i love the scenes of Jess / Jessamy with Her Maternal Grandpa and the portrayal of big family nucleus that was common in African countries but was so rare where she was born and coming from. Of course, another points i would like to raise is clashes of parenting Idea between Jess / Jessamy’s parents (one is European and another is African) - beating / not beating the child, sending the kid to psychologist or insisting that kid is not crazy and all kids act the same at that age and the boundaries between parents and their children. The only thing that stopping me from giving this 5 stars is the ending. I was let down by it. I wanted it to be detailed but i was denied of it.
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March 26, 2021
This book is brilliant. What Oyeyemi manages to accomplish here is nothing short of wonderful, especially when reminded that this is her debut novel and she wrote it at 18 years old, in college, while studying for her exams.
It is not often that a book manages to worm its way so deeply into my brain, but this book does. Going in, I was honestly expecting a book focused on mythology (Nigerian? Greek? I wasn't sure), with some magical realism sprinkled throughout. This is, in fact, actually a truly horrifying tale about a young girl dealing with the ever increasing presence and manipulation of her young friend Titiola, who she met on a family trip to visit family in Nigeria.
I don't want to share more beyond that, because this book needs to be read, enjoyed, and interpreted on an individual level. I think everyone who reads this will get something different from it. I can't wait to discuss this one with HOWLS.
It is not often that a book manages to worm its way so deeply into my brain, but this book does. Going in, I was honestly expecting a book focused on mythology (Nigerian? Greek? I wasn't sure), with some magical realism sprinkled throughout. This is, in fact, actually a truly horrifying tale about a young girl dealing with the ever increasing presence and manipulation of her young friend Titiola, who she met on a family trip to visit family in Nigeria.
I don't want to share more beyond that, because this book needs to be read, enjoyed, and interpreted on an individual level. I think everyone who reads this will get something different from it. I can't wait to discuss this one with HOWLS.
March 16, 2009
I wanted to love this book. The themes of duality, sisters/twins, and cultural identity were engaging, but it seemed like these were never fully explored, despite the length of the book. The author, Helen Oyeyemi, spends over 300 pages drawing readers into her story, inviting them to wonder what kind of entity is at play with the main character, Jess/Wuraola. Jess is the nine-year-old daughter of a Yoruba, Nigerian mother and an English father. Jess is an exceptionally clever child, but has not developed her social abilities as quickly. She has the tendency to scream when she feels frustration or fright and has difficulty making friends. She remains lonely until she discovers a new playmate, Titiola ("TillyTilly"), on a visit to her grandfather's compound in Nigeria.
Throughout the book, I couldn't quite figure out if Titiola was a ghost, an imaginary friend (no), or a some kind of Nigerian spirit. So much build-up would seem to demand a dramatic finish and a final confrontation between Jess and TillyTilly. Instead, the story fizzles out in the last six (6!) pages. As I neared the end, I kept wondering how in the world Oyeyemi was going to wrap this up--Not well, in my opinion.
Despite these problems, the book includes some beautiful passages and character descriptions. [I forgot to mention that Oyeyemi was just 21 when Icarus Girl was published, a fantastic accomplishment for her.:] I particularly like Jess' Yoruba grandfather and the way their initial meeting is portrayed:
"...she [Jess:] allowed herself to stare openly and seriously at her grandfather, and he did the same. She felt as if she were a little piece of him that had crumbled off, which he was examining for flaws and broken bits before deciding whether it was worth taking it to be reattached" (21)
and the way Oyeyemi through Jess describes what a relationship between sisters should be:
"...sisters was something about being held without hands, and the skin-flinch of seeing and simultaneously being seen" (211)
Beautiful writing from an author with amazing potential. I didn't love this book, but I will read anything produced by Oyeyemi in the future.
Throughout the book, I couldn't quite figure out if Titiola was a ghost, an imaginary friend (no), or a some kind of Nigerian spirit. So much build-up would seem to demand a dramatic finish and a final confrontation between Jess and TillyTilly. Instead, the story fizzles out in the last six (6!) pages. As I neared the end, I kept wondering how in the world Oyeyemi was going to wrap this up--Not well, in my opinion.
Despite these problems, the book includes some beautiful passages and character descriptions. [I forgot to mention that Oyeyemi was just 21 when Icarus Girl was published, a fantastic accomplishment for her.:] I particularly like Jess' Yoruba grandfather and the way their initial meeting is portrayed:
"...she [Jess:] allowed herself to stare openly and seriously at her grandfather, and he did the same. She felt as if she were a little piece of him that had crumbled off, which he was examining for flaws and broken bits before deciding whether it was worth taking it to be reattached" (21)
and the way Oyeyemi through Jess describes what a relationship between sisters should be:
"...sisters was something about being held without hands, and the skin-flinch of seeing and simultaneously being seen" (211)
Beautiful writing from an author with amazing potential. I didn't love this book, but I will read anything produced by Oyeyemi in the future.
August 22, 2013
I am not sure what it was about this book that didn't engage me. I have to admire the fact that it was written when the author was in her last year at secondary school. And there is some very good writing in this novel. But somehow the book just misses the mark.
The premise is interesting, if familiar, and suited to magic realism. A highly sensitive and imaginative child divided between cultures (the Nigerian of her mother and white British of her father) goes visit her grandfather in Nigeria where she meets TillyTilly who may or may not be a figment of her imagination, who may or may not be a ghost or spirit of her dead twin. But the book's ending comes in a rush and doesn't resolve matters. It leaves you in mid-air. I have no problem with ambiguity, I wouldn't like magic realism if I had, but this ending did not work. I think that as a white Brit I probably needed more clarity about the Nigerian folk beliefs that lie behind the story.
The book is written very much from the point of view of Jess, although on a few occasions the viewpoint slips, for example becoming that of Jess' friend Shivs, before flicking back to Jess once more. Whilst having a single person point of view can strengthen a book and the reader's empathy with the main character, it can also cause problems. As Jess is alienated from her friends, teachers and parents, so I found my understanding of them tended to be limited and two dimensional. The other problem was that I lost empathy for Jess, who came over as a hysterical and possibly manipulative little girl.
I realize this review has been pretty negative so far but the book does have a lot going for it, including some lovely writing. The concept is ambitious and the subject matter - sisters, friends (imaginary and otherwise), twins, alienation and dual nationality - is promising (maybe the writer was trying to do too much as is so often the case with a first book) and overall I would give the book three stars, were this a blog that graded books. It's just that I have read some incredible books as part of this challenge and I would recommend you read them first.
The premise is interesting, if familiar, and suited to magic realism. A highly sensitive and imaginative child divided between cultures (the Nigerian of her mother and white British of her father) goes visit her grandfather in Nigeria where she meets TillyTilly who may or may not be a figment of her imagination, who may or may not be a ghost or spirit of her dead twin. But the book's ending comes in a rush and doesn't resolve matters. It leaves you in mid-air. I have no problem with ambiguity, I wouldn't like magic realism if I had, but this ending did not work. I think that as a white Brit I probably needed more clarity about the Nigerian folk beliefs that lie behind the story.
The book is written very much from the point of view of Jess, although on a few occasions the viewpoint slips, for example becoming that of Jess' friend Shivs, before flicking back to Jess once more. Whilst having a single person point of view can strengthen a book and the reader's empathy with the main character, it can also cause problems. As Jess is alienated from her friends, teachers and parents, so I found my understanding of them tended to be limited and two dimensional. The other problem was that I lost empathy for Jess, who came over as a hysterical and possibly manipulative little girl.
I realize this review has been pretty negative so far but the book does have a lot going for it, including some lovely writing. The concept is ambitious and the subject matter - sisters, friends (imaginary and otherwise), twins, alienation and dual nationality - is promising (maybe the writer was trying to do too much as is so often the case with a first book) and overall I would give the book three stars, were this a blog that graded books. It's just that I have read some incredible books as part of this challenge and I would recommend you read them first.
August 19, 2013
I'm not sure how much to say about the plot of The Icarus Girl. It's not hard to figure out what's really going on in the story if you give it some effort, so it's not like I'm giving wild spoilers or anything. But then again - what about those readers who would like to know as little as possible going in to a story like this? I guess I'll try to skirt the issue as much as I can, but if you're planning on reading this and want to remain untainted by anything resembling a spoiler, now is the time to leave.
For the rest of us... this book is unique. It's an unusual story with an unusual perspective and an unusual framework. It's filled with Nigerian, specifically Yoruba, folklore and culture mixed with modern contemporary British culture. (Fun fact of the day - did you know that the Yoruba in Nigeria have an above-average incidence of twin births? Something like 14% of births are twins. This is important because of reasons.) The Nigerian culture and folklore are the heart of this story while the setting is mostly modern London, and the two are not always the best of friends. I think that's a lot of what this book ends up being "about." Having roots in one place but living in another. Keeping your cultural heritage while also belonging in your new home. The cognitive dissonance from being half of something. (Important because of reasons.)
The end of the story felt a bit unresolved, which doesn't necessarily bother me, and a bit abrupt, which does. It felt like we were building up to something major, moving faster and faster to the peak, and then the story just ends. We're not sent hurtling down after a big reveal. We're not even dropped and abandoned in the dark, wondering what it all meant. It's just kind of over. A bit disappointing, but considering that Oyeyemi was a teenager (!) when she wrote this, it's still pretty astounding. And if I got nothing else out of this, I learned about ibeji and have requested a book on the subject. So, win!
For the rest of us... this book is unique. It's an unusual story with an unusual perspective and an unusual framework. It's filled with Nigerian, specifically Yoruba, folklore and culture mixed with modern contemporary British culture. (Fun fact of the day - did you know that the Yoruba in Nigeria have an above-average incidence of twin births? Something like 14% of births are twins. This is important because of reasons.) The Nigerian culture and folklore are the heart of this story while the setting is mostly modern London, and the two are not always the best of friends. I think that's a lot of what this book ends up being "about." Having roots in one place but living in another. Keeping your cultural heritage while also belonging in your new home. The cognitive dissonance from being half of something. (Important because of reasons.)
The end of the story felt a bit unresolved, which doesn't necessarily bother me, and a bit abrupt, which does. It felt like we were building up to something major, moving faster and faster to the peak, and then the story just ends. We're not sent hurtling down after a big reveal. We're not even dropped and abandoned in the dark, wondering what it all meant. It's just kind of over. A bit disappointing, but considering that Oyeyemi was a teenager (!) when she wrote this, it's still pretty astounding. And if I got nothing else out of this, I learned about ibeji and have requested a book on the subject. So, win!
December 3, 2010
People are doing Oyeyemi a serious disservice in not marketing her books as horror. They are also doing ME a disservice because then I read them late at night and am so terrified I have to leave the bathroom light on as a night light!
Book was so scary. D: I can't bear the powerlessness of the little girl. I know Jess wins through in the end and gains power from her sister but it's still so scary. And the long-armed lady. And TillyTilly. D:
I liked Jess's granddad, though. He is everything a longlost granddad should be really.
Again, this is the same story Oyeyemi tells again and again ... but what an interesting story it is.
Book was so scary. D: I can't bear the powerlessness of the little girl. I know Jess wins through in the end and gains power from her sister but it's still so scary. And the long-armed lady. And TillyTilly. D:
I liked Jess's granddad, though. He is everything a longlost granddad should be really.
Again, this is the same story Oyeyemi tells again and again ... but what an interesting story it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2015
If you pick up this crazily awesome book late at night like I did last night you will be forced to stay up all night just to finish it, as I have. I just could not put this book down. It was unique and creepy and really excelled at creating a frightening atmosphere, while having ambitions beyond just scaring its audience. All the fun of a popcorn read and all the beautiful prose, sensitivity, and depth of a so called "literary" novel. I loved it! Drop what you're doing and read this now.
September 13, 2022
3.75 estrellas 🌟
Una historia que me mantuvo intrigada la mayoría del tiempo y con una trama interesante. Me gustó la manera en que jugaba con la realidad, aunque no diría que me hizo sentir mucho suspenso. No es una novela perfecta, algunos puntos siento que quedaron algo inconclusos y sin explicación pero considerando que es la primera novela de la autora y que tenía 18 años cuando lo escribió es suficiente para sorprenderme. Definitivamente quiero leer más de ella.
Una historia que me mantuvo intrigada la mayoría del tiempo y con una trama interesante. Me gustó la manera en que jugaba con la realidad, aunque no diría que me hizo sentir mucho suspenso. No es una novela perfecta, algunos puntos siento que quedaron algo inconclusos y sin explicación pero considerando que es la primera novela de la autora y que tenía 18 años cuando lo escribió es suficiente para sorprenderme. Definitivamente quiero leer más de ella.
May 30, 2013
THIS IS WRITING.
September 3, 2024
This one actually HURT me to read. I so love Oyeyemi’s writing and had such high hopes for this story but I struggled to even finish it, let alone enjoy it. If I didn’t know better I’d think it was written by another author because it doesn’t read like any of her other writing and was such a disappointment for me.
October 7, 2021
The Icarus Girl is a beautifully written horror novel about a young neurodivergent girl and her struggle to connect with and be understood by her family. 8 year old Jess returns from visiting her mother's family in Nigeria with a new imaginary friend, TillyTilly. At first, having TillyTilly around is wonderful for Jess, who finally feels she has someone who understands her and likes her for who she is, but it turns out TillyTilly may be hiding dark intentions and buried secrets that Jess's family might not survive intact.
This novel like everything I've read by Oyeyemi absolutely blew me away. The Icarus Girl is heartbreaking, enthralling, and horrifying. I had read before starting the novel that Oyeyemi wrote it as a teenager and I wasn't sure if it would stack up to her other novels but the writing is so good and raw and the 8-year old perspective is so realistic. I think being pretty much still a child while writing it allowed Oyeyemi to capture this perspective in a uniquely realistic and grounded way. I would recommend to any horror fans and just to everyone in general because the book is so so good!
This novel like everything I've read by Oyeyemi absolutely blew me away. The Icarus Girl is heartbreaking, enthralling, and horrifying. I had read before starting the novel that Oyeyemi wrote it as a teenager and I wasn't sure if it would stack up to her other novels but the writing is so good and raw and the 8-year old perspective is so realistic. I think being pretty much still a child while writing it allowed Oyeyemi to capture this perspective in a uniquely realistic and grounded way. I would recommend to any horror fans and just to everyone in general because the book is so so good!
November 10, 2022
I was incredibly impressed with this book, especially after hearing it was a debut novel by a 19 year old. I really enjoyed exploring this precocious 8 year old's experience with her family, school, making friends (real and imaginary) in this work and also getting to explore thematically what it means to belong. It has this unsettling quality the entire time as we first meet a new friend who is for sure more than they appear and the consequences of her actions quickly snowball until we have an ending that I am still not quite sure what happened or how I feel. Having now read another Oyeyemi I might say endings are not her strong suit and that might be more to do with the abrupt open ending than anything intentional but for this work I didn't mind it.
March 18, 2016
This novel takes an interesting turn at one point, but then backtracks and loops around the same circular path over and over, until it seems to have exhausted itself, and ends. Some exquisitely imagined passages though, and all the more impressive considering the tender age of the author.
September 30, 2015
A lovely debut novel. Has a little bit of creepiness that she used more of in White is for Witching.
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