Bigger than Jussie by Ola and Bola Osundairo

Synopsis: Intimate backstory of the Osundairo brothers connected with the Smollett story.

Writing Style: Plain speak. Independent. Natural. Relaxed. 

Pacing: FAST!!! 

Personal Highlights: Wasn’t sure what to expect, but what increased the unpredictability was learning about Nigerian culture in the way one of the brothers explained the tenets of African royalty! Oh my goodness that was a powerful reckoning! 

On the surface it seems self-explanatory knowing about ones family heritage …as in the pride it extends to self, yet as Ola and Bola tell it, the significance of not only knowing the family lineage but grasping the worth of a name inherited from known ancestors is where the real high-mindedness nobility resides …an inheritance that can’t be neither transferred nor stolen. Perhaps, too, the repetitive nature in the way this story was relayed reinforced the message. I could not get over the brothers explaining Nigerian and American culture through their experiences …and lens. This subject comprised at least 70% of the book. In tag team fashion they elaborated on being born in America, raised in the U.S./Chicago by parents who immigrated to America. They sift through schools attended in both countries, lessons learned from both cultures, and the multifaceted encounters with individuals in communities where they lived. For me it wasn’t so much as what they endured but HOW they interpreted these experiences, ascribing their royalty to what kept their spirits intact. Very Powerful …and engaging. Highly recommended. Read paperback 2023 copyright edition.