Art Book Club: Love is Power, or Something like That

Join art, book, & history lovers for a discussion of A. Igoni Barrett's story collection, Love is Power, or Something like That, in celebration of the exhibition Black Orpheus: Jacob Lawrence & the Mbari Club. Barrett's book details love, desire, & power in modern-day Nigeria. See below for the publisher's summary: 

When it comes to love, things are not always what they seem. In contemporary Lagos, a young boy may pose as a woman online, and a maid may be suspected of sleeping with her employer and yet still become a young wife’s confidante. Men and women can be objects of fantasy, the subject of beery soliloquies. They can be trophies or status symbols. Or they can be overwhelming in their need.

In these wide-ranging stories, A. Igoni Barrett roams the streets with people from all stations of life. A man with acute halitosis navigates the chaos of the Lagos bus system. A minor policeman, full of the authority and corruption of his uniform, beats his wife. A family’s fortunes fall from love and wealth to infidelity and poverty as poor choices unfurl over three generations. With humor and tenderness, Barrett introduces us to an utterly modern Nigeria, where desire is a means to an end, and love is a power as real as money.

To register, please email library@toledomuseum.org OR call 419-254-5770 -- you will need to provide your name, an email address, AND a phone number.

There is an accompanying docent-led tour of Black Orpheus on Friday, July 14th; please note that tour attendee slots will be offered to discussion attendees first & foremost.