Book Title: Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow
Author: Damilare Kuku
Publisher: Lufu, an imprint of Ouida Books
Year of Publication: 2024
Reviewer: Oriyomi Adebare
Synopsis
Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow follows the story of Temilade and her quest to augment her buttocks through cosmetic surgery. Her decision is met by surprise, disquiet, panic, not least because her announcement comes a few days after her father’s burial. The story unravels with a closer look into the motive behind Temi’s drastic resolution side by side the choices her relatives have made in the past and the repercussions of those choices.
Review
As I read Kuku’s sophomore book, I could not help but draw a parallel with Oluwadamilola Ologbon’s article on the prevalence of BBL in Nollywood. Temi, the book’s protagonist, had a body dysmorphic disorder, fuelled by years of being the brunt of her schoolmates’ cruel jokes over her small ‘yansh’. Having spent years suffering in silence and even trying some unproven methods to grow her bumbum, it was not shocking to see her resort to trying a Brazilian Butt Lift if it would give her the results she wanted. While she did not foresee her father’s death, she could not allow it to deter her from finally exercising her independence and getting the bumbum of her dreams.
What I found fascinating about the story is how Kuku brought to light the invisible battles of women who go the BBL route. Society only sees and shakes its head at the final decision, remaining oblivious to the jeers, bullying, low self-confidence, self-hate and frustration that led to the decision. Kuku was crafty enough not to pass any judgement on whether BBL was right or not, she, however, left some food for thought for readers who may be considering the same option.
In focusing on body dysmorphia, the book made a humorous but heavy attempt at examining how society’s push for women to have the perfect banging body, with ass and boobs in the right proportion, sets onerous expectations on women from a young age. From a young age, girls are bombarded with messages, benign and malicious, about how they are supposed to look to be attractive to the opposite sex, taking it one step further to ridicule those who do not fit this absurd criteria. yet, the same society expresses shock when women do extreme things to meet the expectations on them.
Another highlight of the book was how Kuku spotlighted the power of choice and how the choices we make have bearings beyond the present. Other themes the book addresses are bullying, familial bonds, mother-daughter relationships, rape, love, betrayal, self-acceptance, lesbianism, etc.
As much as the book was generally entertaining, it was also a bit overambitious. Using often scintillating and sometimes ridiculous backstories of Temi’s parents, sister and aunties, Kuku attempted to produce something more than a short story, but she was not entirely successful. In the end, the book flowed more like an anthology with multiple point of views.
Overall, ‘Only Big Bumbum Matters Tomorrow’ is an enjoyable read, an essential contribution, a reflective piece and a conversation starter on how society creates a fertile ground for body dysmorphia and at the same time punishes and shames sufferers.
