A Broken People's Playlist: Stories (from Songs)
Written by Chimeka Garricks
Narrated by Nneka Okoye and Atta Otigba
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
""A dozen interlinked, music-oriented stories set in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, where Garricks was raised... Each songlike story feels like a breakout hit encapsulating the brokenness and the beauty in life’s soundtrack.""—Booklist, starred review
“Beautifully woven . . . a magical delight.”—Hari Kunzru, author of White Tears
A Broken People’s Playlist is set to the soundtrack of life, comprised of twelve music-inspired tales about love, the human condition, micro-moments, and the search for meaning and sometimes, redemption. It is also Chimeka Garricks’s love letter to his native city, Port Harcourt, introducing us to a cast of indelible characters in these loosely interlocked tales.
There is the teenage wannabe-DJ eager to play his first gig even as his family disastrously falls apart—who reappears many years later as an unhappy middle-aged man drunk-calling his ex-wife; a man who throws a living funeral for his dying brother; three friends who ponder penis captivus and one’s peculiar erectile dysfunction; a troubled woman who tries to find her peace-place in the world, helped by a headful of songs and a pot of ginger tea.
Infused with the author’s resonant and evocative storytelling, each page holds “the depth of a novel” (Hari Kunzru); a character, a moment that will—like a favorite song—long linger in the heart and mind.
Chimeka Garricks
Chimeka Garricks is a Nigerian-Irish writer, editor, screenwriter, and script doctor. His work includes a collection of short stories, A Broken People’s Playlist, a novel, and a script in development. He lives in the United Kingdom.
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Reviews for A Broken People's Playlist
47 ratings8 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a fantastic collection of short stories with unforgettable characters and bonkers stories. The writing is lovely and honest, and many readers identified with the stories personally. Some stories sucker punched the heart and had readers bawling. Overall, readers highly recommend this book and can't wait to get their own physical copy.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was a beautiful read! I was going to give it a 6/10 but after the author's note, it's an 8/10 for me.
The first story was my best and it set the tone for the rest of the stories. At first, I wondered about the title, I wondered why the book was music-inspired and after the author's note, everything came together nicely. Chimeka Garricks writes beautifully and as a Port Harcourt girl, lol, the stories were relatable and realistic. I can't wait to read Tomorrow died yesterday and other of his books! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The stories in this book, the characters, and the writing style it’s just have a way of evoking emotions out of the reader/listener!
Highly highly recommend reading this book - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing read. Every story was delightful and insightful. I laughed, I cried, I reflected.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/53.75 ?Some of the stories sucker punched my heart and had me bawling then staring into nothingness. They include:
1. The very first story in the book.
2. The one about white sneakers and police brutality.
3. The womanizer DJ
4. The couple in the last story who came to hospital for treatment...
Hon. Mention - The one about John
You'll forgive me because I don't remember the titles of the stories, but hopefully if you've read this book, you know what I mean. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Chef’s kiss. 10/10 would highly recommend
The narrators did a fantastic job. I will read anything the author writes - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely enjoyed listening to this piece of work, I can not wait to get my own physical copy.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Magnifique!!!
Garricks writes unforgettable characters and bonkers stories.
My favourite collection of short stories to date. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was lovely, honest writing. I identified with so many of the stories personally! Laughing, contemplating, lamenting on my own past relationships. Beautiful!