Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold

by Bolu Babalola, Nneka Okoye (Read by), Ajjaz Awad (Read by), Olukemi Babalola (Read by)

Overview

“Perfection in short story form, I am in love with every single word Bolu Babalola has written. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully.” — Candice Carty-Williams, international bestselling author of Queenie A high-born Nigerian goddess, who has been beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover, longs to be truly seen.

A young businesswoman attempts a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love life.

A powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether she should uphold her family’s politics or be true to her heart.

In her debut collection, internationally acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola retells the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology with incredible new detail and vivacity. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from long-erased places.

With an eye towards decolonizing tropes inherent in our favorite tales of love, Babalola has created captivating stories that traverse across perspectives, continents, and genres.

Love in Color is a celebration of romance in all its many splendid forms.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781664791510
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	04/13/2021
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Bolu Babalola is a British-Nigerian woman with a misleading bachelor's degree in law and a masters degree in American Politics & History from UCL. She feels it is important to state that her thesis was on Beyoncé's "Lemonade" and she was awarded a distinction for it. So essentially she has a masters degree in Beyoncé. A writer of books, scripts and retorts, a lover of love and self-coined "romcomoisseur", Bolu Babalola writes stories of dynamic women with distinct voices who love and are loved audaciously. She is a big believer in women being both "Beauty and the beast". She is not a fan of writing her own bios. She can be found tweeting far too much @BeeBabs.

Editorial Reviews

02/15/2021

Babalola revives the romance of folktales and myths in her lovely debut collection, drafting figures largely drawn from African legends and romance tropes into 13 Black-centered love stories. “Naleli” follows a teenage girl who struggles to love herself because she suffers from a condition that causes skin discoloration, distancing herself from her childhood crush—until a magical night brings them back together. “Nefertiti” reimagines the Egyptian queen as a vigilante protecting women from patriarchal violence and oppression. In “Thisbe,” a woman knows too much about the boy next door’s sex life because of the crack in the wall separating their apartments. The title character of “Orin” is on the worst date ever when she meets Deji—also suffering through a terrible date—and their easy banter brings them solace on their almost-ruined nights. Though none of these tales is quite a standout, there aren’t any duds, either. The result is effortlessly readable, and the chemistry between characters and the focus on Black female empowerment will surely win over many romance fans. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

In telling these stories, Babalola herself becomes the seer and the seen, subversively providing a corrective to both the Western idea of who gets to indulge in love for love’s sake and whose myths are worthy of retelling... Babalola’s writing shines whether she’s writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority; each story will likely find readers who choose it as their personal favorite in the book. Love in Color, as a whole, is a strong and necessary reset of who is the seer, who is the seen, and who gets to do both.” — New York Times Book Review

"Beautifully written and full of joy. Bolu Babalola is a star." — Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Absolutely intoxicating." — Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White, and Royal Blue and One Last Stop

"Bolu Babalola’s decolonized retelling of love stories and myths from around the world is a best seller for a reason: We’re all romantics at heart." — New York magazine, The Strategist

“Bolu Babalola splashes onto the scene with her fantastic debut collection… Magnificent… These stories are short, they’re perfect for the beach.” — Isaac Fitzgerald, Today Show

“Luscious… Come for the beautiful and achingly relevant narratives centered around dynamic women… stay for the reminder that the happiest ever after is falling in love with yourself.” — Essence

"A thrillingly gifted Nigerian-British author recasts literary legends... Babalola dives deep into the notion that “romance sweetens the casual bitterness we can encounter; it heightens the mundane and makes the terrestrial supernatural.” — Oprah Daily

"Good love stories are irresistible: They appear in almost every genre and culture, and are the subject of centuries of lore. Love in Color, the British Nigerian writer Bolu Babalola’s collection retelling myths from around the world, demonstrated just this last year. These stories persist because they carry healing and hope. Everyone can use the vicarious drama and swooping emotion a truly great romance brings, especially in these dark days." — The Atlantic

“Inventive, intimate, witty and wise, Babalola's irresistible explorations uplift you from the start. Here is love as freedom, love as deep joy. Romance will never be dead, as long as she's writing it.” — Jessie Burton, New York Times bestselling author of The Muse    

"Perfection in short story form, I am in love with every single word Bolu Babalola has written. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully."   — Candice Carty-Williams, international bestselling author of Queenie

"British cultural critic Bolu Babalola's delightful fiction debut is a work of power and pleasure. Drawing largely from African and Asian folklore — featuring Thisbe, Scheherazade, Ọṣun, Nefertiti, and more — Babalola crafts entirely modern love stories without any of the mistreatment of women that pervades so much mythology. The collection also includes three original stories from Babalola, all of which are more than deserving of their place next to the classics. As Babalola herself describes it, the book is 'a step towards decolonizing tropes of love.' It's also a lot of fun." — Buzzfeed

"Folklore enthusiasts and romcom fans alike will fall hard for Love in Color...Beautifully realized by Babalola, each retelling breathes contemporary imagination into cherished stories, making for luscious tales of loneliness, longing, and love." — Esquire

"These vibrant stories navigate the most complex human emotion and try to understand why it holds us hostage, while decolonizing tropes by forming new stories that already exist in so many cultures and communities around the world." — Refinery 29

"Oh but Bolu Babalola is clever...she finds the perfect new twist for every story that you think you know. Her collection of reimagined fairytales and classic stories is a true delight." — Dorothy Koomson, international bestselling author

“Richly imaginative, unashamedly romantic and a total pleasure to read. I didn't want it to end.” — Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods

“Lovely… The result is effortlessly readable, and the chemistry between characters and the focus on Black female empowerment will surely win over many romance fans.”  — Publishers Weekly

"British Nigerian writer Babalola combines wit and wisdom in this collection of reimagined, mythical love stories... This wondrous celebration tackles the emotional complexities inherent in passion, adding depth and shadows without resorting to cynicism... This is a joyous read for those interested in literary reworkings and for those looking to explore the complications of loving relationships from fresh perspectives."  — Booklist

“Full of life and character, it’s such a pleasure to take this ride through history, geography, legend and lore in the company of a writer as witty and intelligent as Bolu. Her romantic sensibility is second to none.” — Bethany Rutter, author of No Big Deal

From the Publisher

Luscious… Come for the beautiful and achingly relevant narratives centered around dynamic women… stay for the reminder that the happiest ever after is falling in love with yourself.

Essence

"A thrillingly gifted Nigerian-British author recasts literary legends... Babalola dives deep into the notion that “romance sweetens the casual bitterness we can encounter; it heightens the mundane and makes the terrestrial supernatural.

Oprah Daily

"Bolu Babalola’s decolonized retelling of love stories and myths from around the world is a best seller for a reason: We’re all romantics at heart."

New York magazine

"Good love stories are irresistible: They appear in almost every genre and culture, and are the subject of centuries of lore. Love in Color, the British Nigerian writer Bolu Babalola’s collection retelling myths from around the world, demonstrated just this last year. These stories persist because they carry healing and hope. Everyone can use the vicarious drama and swooping emotion a truly great romance brings, especially in these dark days."

The Atlantic

"British cultural critic Bolu Babalola's delightful fiction debut is a work of power and pleasure. Drawing largely from African and Asian folklore — featuring Thisbe, Scheherazade, Ọṣun, Nefertiti, and more — Babalola crafts entirely modern love stories without any of the mistreatment of women that pervades so much mythology. The collection also includes three original stories from Babalola, all of which are more than deserving of their place next to the classics. As Babalola herself describes it, the book is 'a step towards decolonizing tropes of love.' It's also a lot of fun."

Buzzfeed

In telling these stories, Babalola herself becomes the seer and the seen, subversively providing a corrective to both the Western idea of who gets to indulge in love for love’s sake and whose myths are worthy of retelling... Babalola’s writing shines whether she’s writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority; each story will likely find readers who choose it as their personal favorite in the book. Love in Color, as a whole, is a strong and necessary reset of who is the seer, who is the seen, and who gets to do both.

New York Times Book Review

Bolu Babalola splashes onto the scene with her fantastic debut collection… Magnificent… These stories are short, they’re perfect for the beach.

Isaac Fitzgerald

Inventive, intimate, witty and wise, Babalola's irresistible explorations uplift you from the start. Here is love as freedom, love as deep joy. Romance will never be dead, as long as she's writing it.

Jessie Burton

"Perfection in short story form, I am in love with every single word Bolu Babalola has written. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully."  

Candice Carty-Williams

"Beautifully written and full of joy. Bolu Babalola is a star."

Meg Cabot

"Folklore enthusiasts and romcom fans alike will fall hard for Love in Color...Beautifully realized by Babalola, each retelling breathes contemporary imagination into cherished stories, making for luscious tales of loneliness, longing, and love."

Esquire

"These vibrant stories navigate the most complex human emotion and try to understand why it holds us hostage, while decolonizing tropes by forming new stories that already exist in so many cultures and communities around the world."

Refinery 29

Full of life and character, it’s such a pleasure to take this ride through history, geography, legend and lore in the company of a writer as witty and intelligent as Bolu. Her romantic sensibility is second to none.

Bethany Rutter

"British Nigerian writer Babalola combines wit and wisdom in this collection of reimagined, mythical love stories... This wondrous celebration tackles the emotional complexities inherent in passion, adding depth and shadows without resorting to cynicism... This is a joyous read for those interested in literary reworkings and for those looking to explore the complications of loving relationships from fresh perspectives." 

Booklist

Richly imaginative, unashamedly romantic and a total pleasure to read. I didn't want it to end.

Alexandra Sheppard

"Oh but Bolu Babalola is clever...she finds the perfect new twist for every story that you think you know. Her collection of reimagined fairytales and classic stories is a true delight."

Dorothy Koomson

"British Nigerian writer Babalola combines wit and wisdom in this collection of reimagined, mythical love stories... This wondrous celebration tackles the emotional complexities inherent in passion, adding depth and shadows without resorting to cynicism... This is a joyous read for those interested in literary reworkings and for those looking to explore the complications of loving relationships from fresh perspectives." 

Booklist

★ 08/01/2021

Spanning centuries, mythologies, and points of view, the short stories in Babalola's debut collection offer romances full of brimming emotions, and thoughtful perspectives that de-Westernize familiar tropes. Mythology and fairytales from Greece, West Africa, and the Middle East are explored in both magical and realistic settings. A standout is "Siwa," an ideal short romance story full of lush, swooping feelings and enough happily-for-now momentum that listeners will be dreaming of these warriors for many days. Ajjaz Awad, Nneka Okoye, Olukemi Babalola, and the author bring Babalola's poetic prose to life, making for a delightful listen. VERDICT A must have for library audiobook collections.—Elizabeth Gabriel, Milwaukee P.L.

Library Journal - Audio

Ajjaz Awad, Nneka Okoye, Olukemi Babalola, and the author work together to bring listeners an eclectic listening experience as varied as this collection of short stories. The narrators enliven these reimaginings of classical literary tales featuring Ghanaian and Nigeran characters, both male and female. Awad brings a deep timbre to the stories he presents, underscoring the international nature of these African and Asian narratives. Okoye and both Bolu and Olukemi Babalola become feisty women who are fighting for love and persisting in the face of loss or obstacles. The ringing tones of the narrators as they energetically present dialogue between characters in perpetual conflict are sure to entertain. Listeners will delight in these performances, which in their dramatic range are reminiscent of the best radio theater. M.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2021 - AudioFile

Ajjaz Awad, Nneka Okoye, Olukemi Babalola, and the author work together to bring listeners an eclectic listening experience as varied as this collection of short stories. The narrators enliven these reimaginings of classical literary tales featuring Ghanaian and Nigeran characters, both male and female. Awad brings a deep timbre to the stories he presents, underscoring the international nature of these African and Asian narratives. Okoye and both Bolu and Olukemi Babalola become feisty women who are fighting for love and persisting in the face of loss or obstacles. The ringing tones of the narrators as they energetically present dialogue between characters in perpetual conflict are sure to entertain. Listeners will delight in these performances, which in their dramatic range are reminiscent of the best radio theater. M.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2021 - AudioFile