I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Osadolor Osayande shares a collection of poems that speak to the cost immigrants face with their accents in the book “Forked Accents.”

The Synopsis

Forked Accents is a piercing collection of poems that examines the subtle, relentless effect of accents—the way they tell the stories of what we have been through, and how, in distant lands, immigrants slowly absorb the often-self-inflicted belief that their accents must be cast off to belong. These poems trace the shame, the shedding, the slow and latent erasure of self—yet they also carry the crucial promise of self-preservation. Forked Accents does not invalidate the cost of accent authenticity; it acknowledges its weight. But it leans close, and whispers: your accent is a scarred inheritance—wounded, resilient, and entirely whole. This is the redemptive anthem you’ve been waiting for—a tender echo calling you back to yourself

The Review

This was such a powerful and moving collection of poetry. The raw emotion and the visceral imagery the author pours into each page were felt strongly as the reader delved deeper into the book. The poems themselves felt very narrative in nature, with the author speaking directly to the reader through their poems and conveying the experiences and emotions behind those experiences that immigrants often feel when acclimating to another country and their customs.

In a time when immigration has become such a volatile topic of discussion, there is a need to shine a light on the hardships and struggles immigrants face, and the need to showcase why supporting and accepting immigrants into society has never been more critical. The poems in this book reflect the need so many immigrants have to survive in a world that is often too narrow-minded or unaccepting of anyone deemed “different”, and that survival usually comes at the cost of their own identity and culture. The world would be a far more beautiful place if we celebrated our differences and the cultures that define and strengthen them, including their accents, and how those accents tell a story unique to the speaker.

The Verdict

Heartfelt, emotionally-driven, and thoughtful, author Osadolor Osayande’s “Forked Accents” is a must-read collection of poetry. The twists and turns each poem takes the reader on this engaging story of immigration and survival will stay with readers. The poems inspire readers to have meaningful conversations, and the beautiful imagery of each poem will leave a lasting impression. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Osadolor Osayande is a Nigerian poet and storyteller with two poetry collections to his name. He won the Brigette Poirson Poetry Contest (2020), was shortlisted for the Albert Junger’s Poetry Contest, and the much esteemed Babishai Niwe Poetry Prize. His works have been published by top-tier journals such as the AFRICAN WRITER and KALAHARI REVIEW.

Through his works he strives to shed light on how to remain preserved in a world steeped in the drawbacks of transactional relationships, champion love as the highest truth, and how to ultimately arrive at the full stature of authentic self-esteem. He believes that the world needs more of the curative touch of artistic language and is here to contribute his quota to this much needed healing.

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