What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky

by Lesley Nneka Arimah
What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky cover
Good Books rating 4.31
Short Story Collections
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  • ID: 1314
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9781472239617
  • Publisher: Tinder Press
  • Published: 2017-04-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Lesley Nneka Arimah's debut collection, 'What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky,' is a dazzling array of short stories that seamlessly blend the magical and the real. The narratives are shot through with a powerful sense of yearning and a toughness born of a world where fortunes change swiftly and opportunities are scarce. Each story features vivid, immediate prose that conjures worlds both familiar and unsettlingly different, showcasing Arimah's remarkable talent for storytelling. The collection has been praised for its luminous and mesmeric qualities, with stories that range from hilarious to heartbreaking. The daughters, wives, and mothers in these tales find themselves in extraordinary situations, from a woman whose mother's ghost appears from a family snapshot to another who crafts a charmed infant from human hair. What unites them is their resilience in the face of a harsh and unpredictable world.

Reviews
Efsunland · 2021-01-05
impressive 4.50

The collection contains individually compelling stories that capture an impressive range of human experiences. The reviewer highlights the diversity and depth of the narratives.

The reviewer praises the book for its diverse and compelling stories, each offering a unique perspective on human experiences. They appreciate the range and depth of the narratives, which collectively create a rich tapestry of emotions and themes. The stories are not only individually strong but also contribute to a broader exploration of the ties that bind people together.

Quick quotes

    What It Means When a Man Falls from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah not only contains individually compelling stories, but also captures an impressive range of ...

    Each story follows the life of a Nigerian woman and her unique ways ...

    It's a very short, very beautiful story that ends with a shock — the final sentence hits the reader hard, and it's almost impossible to resist ...

The Guardian · 2017-09-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The reviewer finds the book disorienting at times but rewarding. They appreciate the author's unique narrative style and the emotional depth of the stories.

This reviewer acknowledges that the book can be disorienting, but they believe the rewards are well worth the effort. They admire the author's ability to keep readers on their toes with unexpected twists and turns. The reviewer finds the emotional depth of the stories to be particularly compelling, as they delve into the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of Nigerian women. While the narrative style may not be for everyone, they believe it adds a unique layer to the reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Arimah keeps her readers on their toes, and the disorientation can come with great rewards.

    While at times her use of narrative or rhetorical devices can be challenging, the emotional payoff is significant.

    The stories are a testament to the author's skill in exploring the intricacies of human connections.

The Atlantic · 2017-04-11
thought-provoking 4.00

The collection takes a dystopic look at human life but avoids total bleakness. The reviewer appreciates the balance between pessimism and hope in the narratives.

The reviewer notes that the collection takes a dystopic view of human life, exploring themes of connection and disconnection. However, they appreciate that the stories pull back from total bleakness, offering moments of hope and resilience. The reviewer finds the balance between pessimism and optimism to be particularly compelling, making the collection a thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    Lesley Nneka Arimah's debut story collection takes a dystopic look at human life, but pulls back from the brink of total bleakness.

    The powerful pessimism of what it means when a man falls from the sky.

    Lesley Nneka Arimah's debut story collection takes a dystopic look at human life, but pulls back from the brink of total bleakness.

NPR · 2017-04-05
original 4.75

The collection is described as defiantly and electrically original, with stories that are beautifully written and impactful. The reviewer highlights the shock value of the final sentences in several stories.

The reviewer describes the collection as defiantly and electrically original, with each story offering a unique and impactful perspective. They particularly appreciate the beautifully written narratives that often conclude with a shocking final sentence, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. The collection is seen as a standout for its originality and emotional depth.

Quick quotes

    It's a very short, very beautiful story that ends with a shock — the final sentence hits the reader hard, and it's almost impossible to resist ...

    It's a very short, very beautiful story that ends with a shock — the final sentence hits the reader hard, and it's almost impossible to resist ...

    It's a very short, very beautiful story that ends with a shock — the final sentence hits the reader hard, and it's almost impossible to resist ...

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